Frida Ahlstrand ready to board the train to the frontier of pharma
Just a minute... Frida Ahlstrand, student at Uppsala University's Master's Programme in Precision Medicine, who will soon pack her bags for a summer at the Swedish West Coast’s finest: AstraZeneca R&D in Mölndal. How did this come about?
“As a bachelor's student in biomedicine, I had the opportunity to participate in Uppsala University's summer research school SOFOSKO followed by a degree project at Peetra Magnusson's research group in Vascular Biology. This deepened my interest in research and today I am combining the Master's Programme in Precision Medicine with project work at SciLifeLab. Along the way, I have become increasingly curious about the industry and when I saw that SweDeliver advertised a summer internship in a corporate environment, I applied immediately.”
And why AstraZeneca?
“In January, I was appointed campus ambassador for AstraZeneca and have over time gained many positive insights into their operations and vision. The fact that I now, via SweDeliver, will also get the opportunity to take part in AstraZeneca's innovative work and environments feels incredibly positive, as this is undoubtedly a company at the absolute frontline of the pharmaceutical world.”
AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal
What awaits in the laboratory?
“I will participate in a project called Prediction model development via Image analysis, an initiative to develop a data model for predictions of drug properties. I hope to apply an advance my abilities in AI and image analysis, and doing so in the company of leading industry professionals will without a doubt provide invaluable experiences and networks.”
And where are you heading after graduation?
“I envision a career with a focus on innovative research within life sciences, but do not yet know if my first step will be a doctoral project, a position in industry or an agency, or perhaps analysis of patient data in healthcare. There is simply a lot of interesting alternatives out there, so for now I am keeping all doors wide open.”
Facts
- SweDeliver is a national competence center that with Uppsala University as Academic hub, 18 industrial partners and Vinnova funding conducts research on parenteral, oral and pulmonary drug delivery.
- AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company bringing innovative medicines to millions of patients, with its Mölndal site being one of AstraZeneca's three strategic science centres.
- The master's students that will do a SweDeliver summer internship in 2024:
- Alice Fors at Disprutive Pharma • Project Solubility of APIs in organic solvents
- Fatemeh Ranjbar at APL • Project Development of a gel platform formulation for wound treatment
- Marina Peltonen at Iconovo • Project Analytical method development/evaluation and blending of dry powder formulations
- Frida Ahlstrand at AstraZeneca • Project Prediction model development via Image analysis
- Saaransh Saxena at AstraZeneca • Project Investigating dynamic powder rheology for CDC manufacturability
Contact • SweDeliver
Project Coordinator
Caroline Fronczak Alvebratt
Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University
Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: private, Bjoertvedt