Meet the team

Ben, a PhD student in Chemical Engineering, is engaged in his work on the tissue integration of TeleGraft’s graft. He values the enriching experience of working alongside a talented team, which provides a wealth of learning opportunities at the outset of his scientific career. This collaborative project thrives on the exchange of expertise and knowledge. Ben’s prowess as a team player is not only evident in his work but also in his personal life, as demonstrated by his semi-professional soccer skills.

Gabor, a dedicated vascular surgeon, will play a pivotal role as the project advances to the clinical trial phase. He thrives on diversity in his work, or “varietas delectate” as he puts it. Gabor believes that the most rewarding aspect of being part of TeleGraft is the opportunity to shape the future. His forward-thinking approach and mindset resonate with the ethos of being a partner in a European project.  

Guanqi, a postdoctoral researcher, is engrossed in simulating blood flow across a network of vessels. She revels in the exploration journey, drawing inspiration from the challenges encountered. Her joy stems from being part of a team that turns ideas into reality.  Her association with TeleGraft is enriched by the diversity of people she interacts with, exchanging ideas on creation. She values the platform it provides for her to evolve into a more autonomous researcher. Indeed, this is one of the many benefits that such a collaborative project offers.

Ditte is passionate about delving into the uncharted territories of health research. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Microbiology and finds immense excitement and motivation in conducting research and frequent laboratory investigations. Her work revolves around evaluating hypotheses that hold the potential to enhance the quality of life for patients, making her an ideal candidate for our project. Her involvement in our collaborative project, TeleGraft, provides her with the opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of experts from academia and industry across Europe, all striving towards a significant shared objective.

Jes Lindholt, a research leader and professor of vascular surgery, represents both SDU and Odense Universitetshospital (OUH) – Svendborg Sygehus. OUH oversees the clinical trial approval and study related to Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, as well as thrombosis and infection at the Department of Clinical Microbiology. Jes is passionate about the research process, particularly when it aims to improve and extend human life, aligning with our project’s spirit.

José takes pleasure in educating and inspiring students to embrace new challenges, and he is committed to conducting research that can lead to innovative health and societal solutions. His expertise and enthusiasm align perfectly with the requirements for the success of our TeleGraft project. He is confident in our potential to make significant strides in the field of artificial dialysis grafts and appreciates that TeleGraft brings together a diverse range of skills and dedicated partners. 

Izabella-Jolan is deeply immersed in the development and assessment of portable confocal Raman micro-spectrometers for biomedical applications and beyond.  Each experiment in the lab, even those that don’t go perfectly, sparks new questions and fuels her excitement in the search for answers. Izabella-Jolan became involved in the TeleGraft project through her work with the Sensor Systems and System Integration team at Leibniz-IPHT, where they develop confocal Raman micro-spectrometers with exceptional signal properties for biomedical use. Within TeleGraft, she is exploring the potential of Raman spectroscopy to detect tissue inflammation at puncture sites and aims to provide a platform for bedside measurements. The best part of being involved in TeleGraft for her is the collaboration with medical doctors and microbiologists, combining their knowledge with her expertise in Raman spectroscopy to find innovative solutions for unmet medical needs.

Since graduating as a medical doctor from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Lasse has been deeply passionate about cardiovascular research, particularly in the areas of risk detection and precision medicine. After completing an introductory program in clinical biochemistry, he is now at the Vascular Surgery Department at Odense University Hospital, where he assists with the clinical aspects of the TeleGraft project, including the preparation of clinical studies. Lasse greatly values collaboration across different disciplines, specialties, and professional fields.

Margrete is a dedicated specialist in vascular surgery from Norway, with a special interest in dialysis access. At TeleGraft, she plays a pivotal role as the project leader for sheep experiments, ensuring the highest standards of vascular surgical quality and the respectful, ethical treatment of animals. As a PhD student participating in the TELEGRAFT project, Margrete aims to expand her competencies with scientific tools to benefit her patients. Later in the project, she will leverage her skills as the site investigator at Odense University Hospital during the TeleGraft clinical trial.

Martin is the mind behind the design of some new materials and applications. He was part of the core group that designed our Horizon Europe TeleGraft project. The best thing about TeleGraft? For Martin, it is the potential to improve the quality of life for dialysis patients.  Martin, is the mind behind the design and conceptualization of some new materials and applications. He was a pivotal member of the team that brought our Horizon Europe TeleGraft project to life. What excites Martin the most about TeleGraft? It’s the transformative potential it holds to enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing dialysis. On a personal note, Martin is Kona coffee enthusiast. 

Sonja holds a master’s degree in public health and brings more than ten years of experience in research project management at SDU. She is driven by creating meaningful impact and excels at staying one step ahead of researchers and work package leads to ensure progress and clarity throughout the project. By proactively coordinating tasks and timelines, she creates the space and structure researchers need to focus fully on their scientific work. She thrives in open discussion environments where the ideas can drive the project forward. At Telegraft Sonja values working alongside a diverse and talented team which puts the patient first.

Melina, an angiologist and vascular and endovascular surgeon, thrives on the collaborative and learning opportunities provided by her work on an EU-funded project. She is a firm believer in the power of cross-collaboration as a catalyst for breakthroughs. Melina relishes the challenge of devising customized solutions for the acute events and chronic illnesses of our progressively complex patient population. In her role at TeleGraft, she will contribute her clinical insights and research infrastructure to the consortium.

Miguel is passionate about designing and constructing software systems that not only streamline global workflows but also provide him with a significant avenue to make a societal impact. This aligns perfectly with the objectives of the TeleGraft project. His involvement in TeleGraft offers him the unique opportunity to work alongside exceptional professionals in developing a solution with the potential to positively influence the health of numerous individuals.

As a lecturer and applied healthcare researcher, Patricia’s role in this EU-funded project provides her with the unique opportunity to collaborate with a diverse array of professionals hailing from various countries and backgrounds. Patricia’s long-standing interest lies in harnessing engineering principles to enhance healthcare environments and improve patients’ quality of life. This aligns perfectly with TeleGraft’s mission of creating a smart arteriovenous graft. This innovative graft, designed with biomimicry and drug-eluting properties, aims to reduce the risk of thrombosis and infection. Furthermore, it facilitates blood flow monitoring and enables early detection of inflammation and infection, embodying Patricia’s passion for applying engineering solutions to healthcare challenges.

As a researcher, Tobias specializes in crafting personalized grafts. His problem-solving skills, combined with the innovative technology of the VERIGRAFT team, fuel his passion for enhancing patient care. His work is not just about research, but about making a real difference in people’s lives. Tobias enjoys his involvement in this EU project, as it opens up avenues for him to engage with a diverse group of individuals. This diversity in collaboration and tasks is what Tobias truly appreciates about his role in the project.

Shuxia is engrossed in the application of machine learning to biophotonic data, finding joy in devising and integrating AI methodologies with biophotonic strategies. Her work aims to expedite early-stage diagnostics by applying these techniques to biological and clinical fields. Her fascination lies in interdisciplinary research, a fundamental aspect of the TeleGraft project. This project serves as her platform for expanding her knowledge in biology, medicine, engineering instruments, and further enriching her understanding of diverse cultures.

Tomas, a vascular surgeon with a keen interest in science, brings a unique blend of skills to our TeleGraft project, enhancing its value. He finds the experience of learning from the exceptional TeleGraft team enriching. Tomas takes great pleasure in his dual role: providing patient care in the hospital and facilitating the integration of innovative technologies into clinical practice. This aligns perfectly with what TeleGraft seeks.  

Thomas is engaged in the application of AI to spectroscopy and microscopy, relishing the opportunity it provides to employ mathematical and algorithmic tools. This allows him to gain a deeper understanding of the world and optimize the use of physical and optical data. His role at TeleGraft enables him to collaborate with esteemed European partners. By combining diverse knowledge, they collectively devise solutions for challenges, such as the creation of artificial dialysis grafts in the TeleGraft project.

Thomas Emil, an Associate Professor specializing in Clinical Microbiology, harbors a keen interest in investigating bacteria and their infection mechanisms. His expertise significantly contributes to our TeleGraft project.  As a member of our collaborative project, TeleGraft, he relishes the interdisciplinary nature of our research. He thrives on collaborating with an international team of scientists from both industry and academia, further enriching his experience and our project’s value. 

Ulf, an academic and translational vascular surgeon, takes great pleasure in the creativity, curiosity, and ingenuity that his work both demands and inspires - qualities that are essential for a research project like ours. His involvement in our collaborative TeleGraft project allows him to appreciate the comprehensive development of the project, or as he puts it, `from bench to bedside´.