Interview | Patrik Jarwoll, new member of the board

Hi Patrik, what is You background?

I have a PhD from Chalmers Technical University and have worked for Varian inc. and Agilent Technologies in service, sales, marketing and RND before I started as an MR physicist at KERIC, Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Center at the Karolinska University Hospital.

And what do you do now?

Today I’m the head of KERIC, a Core Facillity situated in BioClinicum that supports research from academia as well as companies. KERIC is a preclinical facility that supports everything from surgical training to imaging in small animals with a special focus on translational research projects. We want to take projects from vitro or even earlier stages into clinical research in a safe way that will not risk any patient health. In many ways we can act as a bridge of technology to medical science. I am also Operations and Business manager at CIR, Centre for Imaging Research – a centre for world-leading imaging, jointly formed by Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, and Region Stockholm. CIR supports academic, clinical and industry users with access to imaging facilities and related services at the highest international level. CIR offers an exceptional and unique collection of core facilities for cutting-edge structural, functional, and metabolic in vivo imaging of all organs, in humans, non-human primates, large, and small animals. 

What made You want to work with MedTechLabs?

I am very enthusiastic to support MedTechLabs and think it has an important role to link advanced technology such as AI, electronics, implants and material science to work in heath and clinical applications. An interesting condition, but also something that truly boast cross-disciplinary work, is the fact that you need a PI from both KTH and KI in all research at MedTechLabs. Another factor is that the project should reach clinical trials or clinical applications within 5 years. That really put the focus to projects that are applied and really can become a benefit to the public health within a reasonable timeframe.

How will You contribute to the board?

For me innovation and applied research has always been something I have had an interest and passion for. MedTechLabs is a bridge between KTH, KI and Karolinska University Hospital, which is important for innovation and progress in applied medical research. With my roles at KERIC and CIR and background from a more technical environment in academia as well as industry, I hope to contribute with supporting the work that can bridging technology with life science.