Welcome Sascha Fink!

Hi Sascha. It’s a pleasure meeting you. Would you like to briefly introduce yourself?

Thank you very much for the warm welcome and your interest in my person.

My career began a bit turbulently with an apprenticeship as a carpenter, further education as a fitness trainer and an simultaneous high school graduation. My first job as a “movement” trainer was in the field of fundamental motor and technic training in various sports disciplines (rally, climbing, biathlon, boxing, powerlifting, triathlon) and inspired my interest in movement science – followed by studies in movement science, health and sports.

I graduated at the Institute with the same name at the University of Graz and since summer 2020 I have been working during my PhD at the University of Graz on the development of an assessment for tracking movement profiles in the daily lives of people with rare bone diseases in Europe. This project is done together with an European network (ERN BOND | European Reference Network on Rare Bone Diseases) of researchers, physicians and patient organizations. The area of my expertise is thus located between technology (signal analysis, machine learning systems and Big Data), social sciences (photovoice, focus groups and semi-structured interviews) and the digitalization of medicine (motion analysis, interpretation of physiological data).

Since you were studying at other universities in the past, I would be interested to know about your experience and prior-knowledge about Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

Even though my career first led me to Graz, it was always my goal to return to Carinthia and to be able to continue my career here. In this respect, I have always been interested in the activities of the FH Kärnten.

Now you’re part of the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Team. What experience do you contribute from your prior career?

I was able to develop my fascination and practical understanding of functional movement in everyday life and health during my university time, first through my work as a fitness instructor in a health center, later as a training therapist with an orthopedic focus, and as a self-employed sports scientist. Thus, I bring on the one hand a very solid understanding of the needs of people and on the other hand a broad knowledge of the practical everyday life of different medical – and health professions.

In parallel, I was able to start my journey into research at the FH Joanneum (FHJ) in 2019 as a research assistant in the field of public health (exercise and health promotion). In the progress of my research and teaching activities at the FHJ and later at the University of Graz, I was able to gain experience in the implementation of scientific projects and lectures in the field of project development.

Tell us a bit more about how you actually plan to bring in your experience in the research group.

I would be happy to contribute my practical experience in dealing with the wishes and needs of people from different communities, as well as my acquired knowledge from the various stages of my life, to the research and development of new systems to support people with a wide range of needs.

What are your goals and expectations working in the field of AAL?

I really enjoy the feeling of being able to shape the future and enable an autonomous life for all people, regardless of their physical or mental abilities. I hope to be able to bring in and implement many interesting projects and ideas.

Thank you Sascha for your answers! All the best for your start!