Erik Gatenholm joins the U-GOT KIES Societal Advisory Council
Erik Gatenholm joins the Societal Advisory Council of the Gothenburg Centre on knowledge-intensive innovation ecosystems (U-GOT KIES). Erik is an alumnus of the School of Business, Economics and Law and co-founder of Cellink and BICO, and he will join the current members Stefan Christiernin, José González and Anna Sandström.
The centre U-GOT KIES promotes societal impact and dialogue on issues relating to knowledge-intensive ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This is done by diffusing research results, engaging in direct dialogue such as public seminars, and through diffusing knowledge in undergraduate and advanced education.
- Having a bolstered Societal Advisory Council means that we can continue the dialogue between the U-GOT KIES centre and various decision makers in large firms, entrepreneurial firms, public organizations and universities, says Maureen McKelvey, Director.
For realizing the mission, U-GOT KIES will work with activities including communication platforms, theme days and seminars, and continue to develop national and international networks and arenas. The centre highlights that both alumni as well as current students in Bachelor and Masters Programs are important, since they bring their knowledge into the surrounding society.
Members of the Societal Advisory Council
Stefan Christiernin
Professor Christiernin is Director of External Research and chairperson of the Strategic Knowledge & Research Committee at Volvo Cars Corporation, or Volvo Cars or just Cars as we say in Gothenburg.
He has an illustrious career between industry and universities. He has been professor in Simulation technology / computer engineering at University West, where he was vice-president, and is currently Associate prof in physics at GU/Chalmers since 20 years, with a PhD in Physics. Prof Christiernin also worked at NEVS – National Electric Vehicle Sweden – which was the phoenix arising from the bankruptcy of Saab Automobiles.
Erik Gatenholm
Erik Gatenholm is President and CEO at BICO, the world’s leading Bio Convergence company. He is a dynamic American/Swedish entrepreneur who is leveraging his passion for life sciences and his leadership to create the future of health. Under Gatenholm, BICO has built one of the world’s most expansive portfolio of life science products that spans bioprinting, diagnostics, lab automation and biosciences. Today, BICO and its 14+ subsidiaries operate tech development, sales, and distribution in 65+ countries with more than 25,000 systems in the field, across 1,000+ brilliant employees. BICO’s current customers include esteemed organizations like Harvard, MIT, Pfizer, Merck and the FDA.
José González
José González is a folk singer, songwriter and guitarist from Gothenburg. His goal with music as art is to both create ”good music, beautiful and at times groovy” as well as to be, ”at closer glance, intriguing and at time provocative, depending on your worldview”. José has a long list of musical impact ranging from collaborating in bands; released four solo album – the latest Local Valley; won lots of awards; packs concert houses when that is possible; recognized by the Stena A Olsson Foundation; and his music is diffused through live concerts, streaming, and records. José’s interest in improving society is reflected in his actions and interest in topics such as effective altruism, secular humanism, science over fake facts, and ecomodernism.
Anna Sandström
Anna Sandström is Director Science Policy and Relations Europe, with focus on Sweden, United Kingdom and EU, at AstraZeneca. She is a physicist by training, with a PhD in Molecular Biophysics from Karolinska Institutet and a career at Government Agencies such as Vinnova and the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation. She is elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. She is board member of the Royal Institute of Technology and of MaxIV, as well as EIT Health Scandinavia and heads the R&D committee of the trade body SwedenBIO.
