Alar Karis

Ancestors

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Biography

Alar Karis was born in Estonia.

Alar Karis is an Estonian molecular geneticist and politician who has served as the sixth president of Estonia since 11 October 2021.

Birth and Childhood

Alar was born 26 Mar 1958, at Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia. He was the son of botanist Harry Karis and his wife, Viive Rosin.

Alar graduated from the Estonian Agricultural Academy in 1981.

Scientific Career

1981–87 he was a researcher at the Estonian Institute of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Research.

1987–93 he worked at the Estonian Biocentre.

1991 he was a visiting researcher at the University of Hamburg, Germany.

1992 he was a fellow of the Royal Society of London at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England.

1993–96 he was a researcher/project manager at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

1996–98 he was a researcher-project manager at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu (UT).

1998–1999 he was at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu (UT).

2003 he was a researcher at the UT Technology Centre and headed the genetic engineering department.

2003-2007 he was a regular professor of special zoology at the UT Technology Centre.

2007 he served as rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences

2007-2012 he was rector of the University of Tartu.

2013 -2018, he was the Auditor General of the Estonian National Museum.

2018-2021 he was director of the Estonian National Museum.

Alar was also a founding member of the Estonian Gene Centre where he studied the entry of ribosome proteins into the cell nucleus, the development and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, the regulation and function of transcription factors in the embryonic development of mammals, the molecular development of the mammalian nervous system, the application of transgenic organism technology in biomedicine, and molecular genetic methods in zoology.

Presidency

In August 2021, Alar was approached by the president of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas with a prospect of nomination for the post of president of Estonia in the upcoming autumn election. He accepted the nomination and his candidacy was subsequently endorsed by both coalition parties, the Reform Party and the Centre Party. On 31 Aug 2021, he was elected as the president of Estonia with a two thirds majority in the Riigikogu. He assumed office on 11 Oct 2021. The election received criticism and calls for electoral reform due to the absence of opposing candidates.

Marriage and Family

Alar married Sirje Jädal in 1977. Together they have three children.

Sources

• Estomian-language Wikipedia entry for Alar Karis

• Biography of Alar Karis in the Estonian Encyclopedia, available online at Entsyklopeedia.ee

See Also

• Geni Family Tree