Michael Plattén
Michael Plattén is an alumnus of the Joint Doctoral Programme in Medical Technology. Today, he works as a radiology resident at Stanford University Hospital in California.
Why did you choose the Joint Doctoral Programme in Medical Technology?
“My projects were a pure mix of both the medical and the technological. I wanted to program solutions for my medical questions. The combination of KI and KTH offered all the resources I needed to carry out my projects,” Michael Plattén says.
What was it like to study at both KTH and KI?
“It was fantastic to be part of two of Sweden's top universities. Not only were the courses offered in line with my expectations, but so were the people I met along the way. You get to meet many world-leading researchers in two fields that are often separated, which was a very cool experience. Many of the people I met during my studies are still among my close friends.”
What are you doing today?
“I am now a radiology resident at Stanford University Hospital in California. For me, this has meant a break from research to focus on becoming a good clinical radiologist.”
How did you benefit from the programme?
“The programme gave me many skills that made me an attractive candidate when applying for my residency in the US,” Michael Plattén says. “In addition to this, the journey as a PhD student is an incredible experience that helps you develop skills in research. An exciting part of my training was applying for grants for your research ideas. I received a grant to do research at Harvard University for four months, which was a fun personal and professional adventure.”
What is the most unexpected thing you learnt during your time as a PhD student?
“Research is very much about trend. You must be flexible in changing your projects to better adapt to how the research world evolves. This is often exciting and fun but can be difficult as well. Sometimes the most difficult tasks are the most rewarding in the end,” Plattén says.
Text: Jon Lindhe ( jlindhe@kth.se )