Vice President, Epidemiology
Parexel / Epidemiology & Real-World Science, Sweden
Katja M Hakkarainen is a Vice President in Epidemiology at Parexel, as part of the global epidemiology team at Parexel Epidemiology & Real-World Science. The global epidemiology team leads the study design and scientific execution of all epidemiological/real-world evidence (RWE) studies (primary and secondary data), as well as innovative hybrid study designs such as externally controlled trials. Katja also leads a team of epidemiologists at Parexel.
Katja has 15 years of experience in epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology, in multiple therapeutic areas. After years of academic experience, Katja has worked in Contract Research Organizations (CROs) for the past 9 years in leadership positions with increasing levels of responsibility and global reach, including acting as Principal Investigator (PI). Katja is seasoned in conceptualization, study design, conduct and scientific oversight for epidemiological/RWE studies. She has extensive experience in RWE studies incorporating secondary data, including national health and demographic registers, and pregnancy, disease and quality registers. Moreover, Katja’s expertise includes developing regulatory-grade RWE from regulatory-grade real-world data in observational studies intended for regulatory submission.
Katja has MSc(Pharm), and PhD(Medicine) with specialization in epidemiology and public health. Katja is a registered pharmacist in Finland and Sweden. Katja is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
