Could you give a brief introduction to yourself and your work?
Hey there! I’m Franziska Koehler from Germany. I joined LSHTM in April 2024 as a part-time PhD student. I have a master’s in public health from the University of Hong Kong, specializing in Health Economics, Policy, and Management. During my studies I had the chance to gain experience in different fields of the healthcare sector, by working in sales and marketing for a multinational MedTech company in Hong Kong and as part of the investment team health at a European venture capital firm. Since 2020, I’ve been working for Siemens Healthineers Consulting in Berlin. In my current role I support clients to set up new healthcare facilities globally or venture into new markets. My work has taken me to fascinating places like South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, giving me deep insights into their healthcare systems. My PhD focuses on the impact and benefits of using artificial intelligence in lung-cancer imaging, a topic close to my heart due to my tech background and oncology experience.
What are you most looking forward to during your time with ICON at LSHTM?
While I love the variety of projects in consulting, it’s tough to really dive deep into a single topic. My PhD gives me the chance to focus on something I’m passionate about and make a meaningful impact on global health equity. I’m also super excited to get to know the amazing team in the ICON group. I’m looking forward to learning from their vast academic experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to blend my corporate role with academia and connect theory and practice in a way that benefits both worlds.
Is there something that might surprise people to know about you?
A fun fact about me is that I worked as a flight attendant for a big German airline after high school. It was an unforgettable experience, letting me travel to exotic places and learn a lot about different cultures. Now, when I fly as a passenger, I often smile, remembering the life and understanding the crew’s ups and downs.
Do you have a favourite album, film and/or novel?
My all-time favorite movie is “Forrest Gump” by Robert Zemeckis—I could watch it anytime. Recently, “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders blew me away. As for books, I love “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway, and I recently devoured “Velvet Was the Night” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on a trip to Mexico.