Nils Oker-Blom

Nils Christian Edgar Oker-Blom (5 August 1919 – 16 January 1995)^[2] was a Finnish physician and virologist, who also served as the rector and, later, chancellor of the University of Helsinki.

Arkkiatri Nils Oker-Blom
Oker-Blom pictured in 1982
Born	(1919-08-05)5 August 1919 Helsinki, Finland[1]
Died	16 January 1995(1995-01-16) (aged 75) Helsinki
Known for	Rector and Chancellor, University of Helsinki
Academic work
Discipline	Physician
Sub-discipline	Virologist

Oker-Blom graduated from medical school in 1938, obtained a Licenciate of medicine degree in 1947, and Doctorate in 1948.^[3]

He began his career at the University of Helsinki in 1950 as an associate professor (Dosentti) of bacteriology and serology. In 1957, he was made a full professor of virology, as the first holder of such post in Finland, and is considered the father of Finnish virology.^[2][1]

Oker-Blom served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 1968–69, as the rector of the university in 1978–1983, and finally as its chancellor in 1983–88.^[2]

He is known for his research on arboviruses, especially tick-borne encephalitis.^[2]

In 1992, Oker-Blom was granted the title of Arkkiatri (Archiater), the highest honour given to a physician in Finland, which can only be held by one person at a time.^[1] He was also granted the honorary title of Akateemikko (Academician).^[1]

The Oker-Blom family has been ennobled since 1866.^[4]

In 1944, Oker-Blom married Constance Victorine née Nordenswan; the couple had three children.^[3]