An Espresso with... Prof. Dr. Klaus Eickel

Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Prof. Dr. Klaus Eickel left his first academic footprints at Ruhr University Bochum. There, the physicist completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After finishing his studies, he shifted his scientific focus toward applied medical research, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

As early as 2013, a first professional connection to the Hanseatic city of Bremen was established through a cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS. Four years later, he began his doctoral studies at the University of Bremen in Department 1 – Physics/Electrical Engineering.

Today, Eickel leads projects in the field of MRI methods at Fraunhofer MEVIS on a part-time basis. His main focus, however, lies on his professorship in Medical Computing at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, where he combines research, teaching, and academic responsibility.

Professor Eickel, how did your professional career develop after completing your studies and doctorate? Did you know early on that you wanted to remain in research?

In the final phase of my doctorate and in the two subsequent years, I was able to work with a relatively high degree of freedom as a research associate at Department 1 – Physics/Electrical Engineering at the University of Bremen. The desire to remain in academia was present quite early on. I value the creative freedom, the openness to new ideas, and the opportunity to pursue my own research questions.

At the same time, an academic career is not free of uncertainties. Anyone seeking stability quickly realizes that the general conditions are not always easy. There were phases with very limited financial resources and certainly also sleepless nights. Science also means taking responsibility for one’s own path and actively seeking opportunities.

This attitude has paid off for me. Through a mobility award from the Young European Research Universities Network, I was given the opportunity in 2020 to work at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. At the same time, I was accepted into ProMentes, the career-oriented mentoring program of the University of Bremen. Both programs broadened my perspective, provided valuable impulses for my professional orientation, and strengthened my network in a lasting way. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic then turned many things upside down, and I was forced at short notice to reassess my priorities.

Were there any individuals, courses, or projects at the University of Bremen that had a particularly strong influence on your further path?

My doctoral supervisor and long-standing mentor, Professor Matthias Günther, had a particularly formative influence on my further path. He not only supported me professionally, but above all conveyed an attitude toward work and life. Even today at MEVIS, I still experience him as someone who sees opportunities especially in challenges, communicates openly and clearly, and always works in a solution-oriented manner. What distinguishes him most for me is the high level of appreciation he shows toward others—regardless of role or hierarchy.

Today you work in Bremen and Bremerhaven. How do you personally view Bremen as a research location?

I like Bremen and Bremerhaven, and since moving here in 2013 I have been a convinced resident of Bremen. What immediately fascinated me was the cityscape: the many bicycles. I myself am a passionate cyclist, and for me cycling is far more than just a means of transportation. It is time for thinking and processing information. On the bike, I listen to podcasts, organize my thoughts, or simply let them drift—and often new ideas emerge precisely there.

For me, Bremen and Bremerhaven are also cities of short distances—geographically, but also in everyday working life. Science, industry, and personal networks are close to one another; exchange is uncomplicated, and cooperation emerges quickly. I see this as a major strength of the location.

What I currently find particularly exciting are Bremen’s tangible efforts to continue developing and once again set strong accents of excellence. My personal highlight in this context is the renowned international conference, the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, which will take place in Bremen in August. I am part of the local organizing team. Hosting this conference is definitely a strong signal for Bremen as a science location.

How important has the close networking between the University of Bremen, non-university research institutions, and regional stakeholders been for your work?

This close networking is essential for my work. As a physicist, I come from a classical foundational discipline in which direct application is not initially the main focus. At the latest since my doctoral phase and my work in medical imaging, this has fundamentally changed. Here—just as with many medically oriented topics—the question of “what is this good for?” often answers itself almost automatically.

For application-oriented research in Germany, the Fraunhofer Society plays a central role. For me, Fraunhofer MEVIS is a place where science and technological progress can have a very immediate impact on everyday life. Without wanting to deny the value of less application-oriented research: personally, I am highly motivated by working close to medicine, often also close to concrete human destinies and therapy outcomes.

Although the healthcare industry in the Bremen region is not particularly large, more is happening here than one might initially assume. Especially through practical elements with students at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, I have gotten to know numerous companies and stakeholders in recent years. Much of this happens in a characteristically Hanseatic, reserved manner—almost a bit incognito.

In your opinion, what can Bremen offer young researchers that is often missing elsewhere?

Proximity and accessibility. You don’t need a car, and in some cases not even a public transport ticket—a bicycle is sufficient. The Technology Park, in particular, has grown over many years and continues to grow. This creates exciting opportunities for connections between university, research, and application. Perhaps not with the sheer size of international metropolises, but in a much more personal way.

Bremen is strong in networking, and I consider this a key soft skill in science, where many projects are developed in collaborative settings. Personally, Bremen has enabled a great deal of networking for me—faster and more directly than is often the case in large cities with long distances and many parallel structures. Formats such as “Start it Up! – Health Startup Weekend” or the “Bremen Symposium AI in Health” demonstrate how exchange is created in a targeted manner and added value is generated.

Your research is situated at the intersection of medicine and digitalization. What drives you in terms of content?

Many of my topics make sense—at least in theory. Whether a particular research project will actually make its way into everyday medical practice is often difficult to predict and at the same time a central part of research itself. I am motivated by the idea of being able to contribute to maintaining a high-quality healthcare system and, ideally, making it future-proof.

Shaped by demographic change, we are facing major challenges: our healthcare system is complex, modern medicine as well, and it is sometimes also expensive. To achieve the best possible care while keeping costs acceptable, there is no way around digitalization. Reality checks—whether as a patient in medical practices or through exchanges with students—repeatedly show me that this field will not become boring anytime soon and that there is still a great deal to be done.

What do you wish for regarding the future handling of new technologies in medicine?

From my perception, “the Germans” are sometimes almost technology-averse, at least when it comes to digitalization. I would wish that the fax machine very soon truly ends up only in museums, and that printed discharge letters or adhesive notes in vaccination records become a thing of the past.

We still have many processes that are simply no longer up to date and unnecessarily consume time and money. One only needs to think back to the most recent attempt to reach a medical practice by phone to schedule an appointment.

If you could give today’s students one piece of advice, what would it be?

I repeatedly encounter students who primarily view their studies as a burden and an obligation. Studying can be demanding and sometimes tough, but for me the foremost adjectives should be interesting, exciting, and inspiring. Students often have it in their own hands: studying is not an obligation. All the more reason to regularly reflect on one’s own path and study choice.

Ideally, this reflection should not take place only shortly before an exam or graduation, but especially in the early semesters. There are so many exciting topics and degree programs that there is something suitable for almost everyone. One simply has to be willing to occasionally leave one’s comfort zone and look beyond one’s own horizon. It is also important to gain practical experience alongside one’s studies.

When you look back on your path so far, what are you particularly grateful for?

Above all, for the people I have been able to meet and learn from. More often than not, I was lucky rather than unlucky, was able to choose between options, and had the courage to try things. For that, I am very grateful.