Elira Maksuti

Why did you choose the PhD program in Medical Technology?

“I have always been interested in both medicine and technology. Even my undergraduate studies in Rome, Italy, were in medical technology. Stockholm, and specifically the KTH-KI program, became an obvious choice for me as I saw the opportunity to do research in something important (cardiac mechanics and diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases) in an environment where I was close to both the clinical world (KS and KI) and the technical university (KTH),” says Elira Maksuti.

What was it like to study at both KTH and KI?

“For me it was very inspiring to see both the clinical and the technical view on different challenges. I got good tools from the KTH side to solve problems and good insight on what problems are worth solving from the KI side and the contact with the clinic. The most important part is to have supportive and knowledgeable supervisors and colleagues, which I really had!”

“The PhD program can look so different for different PhD students. I had many exciting experiences: following a heart surgery, going on a research exchange at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, going to the Mayo Clinic in the US and to various conferences. Putting your own research in context and meeting other researchers interested in it is very rewarding.”

What are you doing today?

“I work as a research engineer at Getinge, a Swedish MedTech and Life Science company. My focus is on intensive care of cardiopulmonary patients and I drive early product development and collaboration with universities and hospitals. Staying in touch with academia and driving the development of medical technology together is definitely the best part of my job.”

How have you benefited from the program?

“I wouldn't be able to do what I do today without the program. I am still in contact and working with other scientists I met during the PhD program and use methods in my work that I learned during the program. I have a solid foundation in physiology, which you don't get in your technical undergraduate degree, which helps me daily in my work.”

Text: Jon Linde, KTH