Kristofer Österlind

I’m currently the lead image analyst for a set of clinical trials in NASH*. In these studies, we analyse images from patients who have a fatty and scarred liver, where the cause is not alcohol consumption, but other lifestyle factors such as obesity or diabetes. This is a disease with high focus at the moment. Given how we live and eat, the proportion of NASH patients in the world is growing. I see the effects of that every day in my work, so I can become a bit of a party pooper in dinner parties if someone starts talking eating habits. 

The art of working with image analysis
Working with image analysis is pretty much what it sounds like. Every day, different types of scans come in from different sites around the world for different studies. An important part in my role as a lead image analyst is to ensure a timely and high-quality delivery of these imaging data. The analysis team’s job is to review incoming scans, check the quality, analyse and produce the results. On a regular day, an image analyst might have up to ten scans to analyse, depending on the complexity of the endpoint. We check a number of pre-defined specific imaging parameters for the endpoints we are analysing in the project. Of course, we also note patterns or irregularities that we want the imaging director responsible for the study to pay attention to and work with them to resolve technical issues that might come up.

Knowledgeable colleagues to discuss with
I’ve become more and more specialized in liver imaging over the years. In one of my current NASH projects, images come mainly from sites in the United States. I have a lot of contact with the imaging sites, but I don’t travel around and visit them – that’s the job of the imaging directors and specialists. As an analyst you focus on the tasks within the image quality and analysis workflow. It requires that you work methodically and don’t take any shortcuts. As a lead image analyst, you work with the wider team to help shape this workflow. But you’re not alone in your decisions. There are always colleagues to discuss with and, of course, experts in different disease areas.  My role also includes working closely with Antaros Medical software group, to make sure we have what we need for each specific image analysis within my studies. I really enjoy this type of teamwork!

Everyone is encouraged to participate and develop the company
It’s now approaching two and half years at Antaros Medical for me. It all started when I did my Master’s project here. I must have made a good impression on my supervisor. From the very beginning, I felt that everyone was very helpful. We’re keen to get everyone involved in the company. There’s also a lot of drive to push things forward and do new things. There’s always the opportunity to influence and discuss, even for newcomers. I see us as a kind of curious organization, open for changes and development.

*NASH= Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis