Erik Ingelsson: “My biggest driving force is to have fun”

Erik Ingelsson wants greater focus on researcher-initiated ideas with assessment in open competition.

At 35 years old, Erik Ingelsson was named professor at Karolinska Institutet. He had previously taken a doctorate in just over two years and was ranked in 2011 by Business Week in 14th place out of Sweden's 101 super talents. When Erik Ingelheim's Alma mater, Uppsala University, managed to recruit him and his research team, Stellan Sandler, dean of the medical faculty, described it as a spectacular recruitment.

‘In my field a great deal speaks for Uppsala University,’ says Erik Ingelsson.

‘The successful tradition within diabetes and cardiovascular research, the flagship Uppsala Clinical Research Center, the establishment of SciLifeLab and ties to the Uppsala University Hospital. Once in place, my research team and I have been very well received and we have had a great initial period with publications in, among others, Nature Genetics and Science.’

Erik Ingelsson focuses his research on the relationships between molecular factors such as genes, proteins and metabolites, and - primarily - cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These diseases are now also increasing rapidly in poor countries. Through large-scale partnerships across national borders, Erik wishes to help reduce the number of sick and contribute to improved care for patients.

‘Molecular epidemiology is a relatively new field. Good studies require ample, well-characterised materials. Uppsala offers a solid base through, among others, the epidemiological initiative EpiHealth. The need of ample material also accelerates the development of global interaction. My group currently works with players in a number of countries and wants to build a leading research environment here in Uppsala.’

Ambitions are high and, according to Erik Ingelsson perfectly reasonable. For him, it means conducting important studies and innovative research and the horizon is probably not too far away.

‘My group has the ability to apply new technologies in other applications and by doing so continue development. Besides, at Uppsala, we have more of the external conditions required. The challenges I see primarily concern Swedish research in general, such as career paths and funding models.’

As a member of Sweden’s young academy, Erik Ingelsson is a clear voice in the research policy discussion. According to the academy's website it advocates a system characterised by transparency and fairness, however, at the same time primarily reward the best researchers and research environments.

‘I think we need a structural system change in the Swedish academic world if we are to recruit and retain the best talent.  The situation with uncertain career paths for young researchers improved when posts such as assistant lecturer and postdoctoral research fellow were reintroduced, but a great deal of work remains and we must all do our share, especially in the recruitment process.

Erik Ingelsson himself leads a research team of fourteen people. He announces each new post openly and then appoints them with rigorous accuracy.

‘Today we are a team of dynamic, motivated individuals with different backgrounds, who complement each other in the scientific discussion. Of course it then requires me to be a broad-minded boss who gives space to my associates and who interprets diversity as a strength in the creative process.’

Another item on Erik's research policy agenda concerns the model for research funding.

Personally he is looking for greater focus on researcher-initiated ideas with assessment in open competition. However, he is unsure about the current trend with policy-driven initiatives and its preference for large collaborations.

‘I’m definitely not questioning the good will of those governing, but there is a risk that many researchers will be forced to set up their activities in a patchwork of different forms of funding.What’s more, I dare to say that if as researchers we do not know what the future holds - if we knew we would all run after the same ball - so probably it’s unlikely that our elected do.This does not mean that the research community should be left alone without evaluation, but important discoveries cannot just be forced to the fore.’

Erik Ingelsson belongs to the young researchers whose names are mentioned with increasing frequency when the large grants are announced. In 2013 he was granted, as one of nine Swedish researchers, the ERC Starting Grant and was also named a Wallenberg Academy Fellow. This success means that Erik's research team can follow up and deepen their acclaimed findings about how our genetic inheritance affects the risk of developing obesity, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease.

‘In addition, it increases our ability to invest in new, more daring directions, which makes the research much more enjoyable and it is a privilege I am extremely grateful for. Just having fun has always been a great motivator for me, both professionally and privately.’

Naturally, there is an Erik Ingelsson outside of the research world. There is a chance you have seen him on stage with Orphei Drängar, Uppsala’s widely known male choir that mixes sold-out auditoriums with recordings and international performances. In the autumn a concert tour of Japan is in the pipeline, and as chair of OD his hands will be full, or?

‘Sure, it takes some time, but our organisation is extremely well-oiled. During high school, I actually considered a career as a musician, and singing in OD is probably as close to becoming professional that an amateur can be. Otherwise, I spend most of my time with my family. Obviously with two children, life includes some juggling, but my wife and I are very eager to see each other's needs. We let each other evolve in our careers, and she is definitely an inspiration to me!’

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FACTS/Erik Ingelsson

Age: 39 years

Family: Wife and two children

Title: Professor of Molecular Epidemiology

Lives:  House in Uppsala

Interest: Family, the cottage in Järvsö, music, food and fitness