Jonas Åström to head UU Innovation

Over the past 13 years, Jonas Åström has worked on various aspects of collaboration between the University, the community and the business sector where scope for innovative development exists, and on technological development alongside researchers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industry.

“We’re pleased to have been able to recruit Jonas Åström as the new Head of UU Innovation. With his research background, extensive business experience and large network of contacts in the Uppsala innovation system, he is very well equipped for the role,” says Vice-Chancellor Eva Åkesson.

Åström has a broad background in the life sciences and is well known in the innovation system in Uppsala. His latest position has been in GE Healthcare, where he has been heading the Strategic Technologies department in BioProcess, focusing on the next generation of tools for producing biological pharmaceuticals. He has a doctorate (in microbiology 1995) from Uppsala University and was appointed Associate Professor in 2005. He has previously worked at Pharmacia Biotech and Biotage AB, and also had a stint heading the Uppsala BIO programme in STUNS, the Foundation for Collaboration between the Universities in Uppsala, Business and the Public Sector. Uppsala BIO was among the winners funded through Vinnväxt, the “Regional Growth through Dynamic Innovation Systems” programme.

“Heading the work at UU Innovation represents a superb opportunity to contribute to innovation and collaboration support at a university with very strong research and education. I look forward to learning more about everything that’s going on at the University, and helping to strengthen both the University and the broader innovation environment in this city,” Åström says.