Have: Double winner of the faculty's best research idea with business potential. Want: Researchers with promising results and innovative ideas that can solve the major healthcare challenges of the future. Who can dethrone the champion? Registration for the Medical Innovation Day 2020 is open.

2020.06.25 | Lise Wendel Eriksen

Medical Innovation Day 8 Oktober 2020. Graphic: Jonathan Bjerg Møller

Karin Lykke-Hartmann. Photo: Simon Fischel

Associate Professor Karin Lykke-Hartmann from the Department of Biomedicine is difficult to overlook when it comes to presenting research that can generate innovation and perhaps lead to a fledgling business. For the past two years, she has won the Innovative Ideas track at Health's Medical Innovation Day. The annual event features a scientific - and friendly -researcher battle of ideas and presentation between the faculty's sharpest minds and, at the same time, provides a rare opportunity to test research ideas and their potential in front of an expert panel consisting of investors, companies and partners.

"It's fun and relevant to hear what others think of your research idea – and here these ‘others’ are some heavyweight names who’re already successful and are interested in collaborating or investing time and money in good ideas," says Karin Lykke-Hartmann, whose research field is fertility treatment.

Think bigger and more long-term

At the Medical Innovation Day, researchers are invited to present their idea or result in just five minutes with only six slides allowed. Before naming a winner, the panel asks the participants questions, uncovering holes in their reasoning, and sparring on the greatest development potential.

"I was challenged and they asked so many questions which I couldn't answer, even though I was really well prepared," says Karin Lykke-Hartmann. She suddenly had to address aspects of the world of research that were for her unknown; patents, market analysis, testing phases, scaling potential, impact, partners and legal affairs:

"I was forced to think differently and see my little specific research area in a wider perspective. It was almost too much, but still healthy for a basic research geek like me," she explains, also saying that her victories over the past two years were probably due to her commitment combined with a good project. According to Karin Lykke-Hartmann, the relevant and qualified feedback from the panel has given her and the whole team renewed professional self-confidence and helped to generate progress in the research.

Bringing out the big guns

When the Graduate School at Health brings together investors, companies and the faculty's researchers at the Medical Innovation Day, it is not only with the aim of creating innovative healthcare solutions, but also of creating greater visibility among each other. For Karin Lykke-Hartmann, the event is a stepping stone to a bigger network.

"I met several people who sit on foundations and in companies, which means I can now also draw on their knowledge, competences and networks. And contact and sparring with the network is faster when you’ve already presented your project for them and spent a day together," she says.

Will it be a hat trick?

Regardless of whether you wish to present your research or just listen to others, all of the faculty's researchers with an interest in healthcare innovation in a broad sense are invited to the Medical Innovation Day. Karin Lykke-Hartmann welcomes new challengers in the battle of innovative ideas, and on the question of whether the reigning innovative ideas champion is going for a hat trick, she replies:

"I'm passionate about my research, so I'm ready – also to pass on the baton. I don't know whether I'll be selected as one of the researchers who’ll pitch this year, but I'm definitely going to take part. It’s always a really well spent day.”

This year, the Medical Innovation Day will be held on 8 October, both in Stakladen and AU’s conference centre. Participation is free, and there will be food and refreshments throughout the day, while PhD students can get ECTS credits for participation in the Challenge track.

Read more about the Medical Innovation Day 2020 on the Graduate School’s website, which is also where you can register for the event.

Contact

Chair of the organisation committee Thomas Vorup-Jensen
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: (+45) 2148 9781
Email: vorup-jensen@biomed.au.dk