Team

Name and Current Position
Wolfgang Wirth: Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO)

Role within the company
Wolfgang Wirth succeeded Felix Eckstein as CEO of Chondrometrics GmbH in January 2026. Since, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development, IT infrastructure, software architecture, quality management (QM) system, and the implementation of automated image analysis solutions for clinical trials. He is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Additional Affiliations
Senior Scientist, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Wolfgang Wirth is a computer scientist, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging and automated image analysis. His work focuses on the development and implementation of software solutions for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of articular tissue morphology, relaxometry and radiomics. He has extensive experience in the deployment of AI-based imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, including its technical and clinical validation in a longitudinal setting.

Education and Training

• Diploma in Computer Science (Dipl.-Inf.), Technical University of Munich (2006)
• PhD (Dr. rer. biol. hum.), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (2011)
• Internal auditor (ISO 13485), BSI Academy (2019)
• Habilitation in “Experimental Anatomy” at PMU Salzburg, Austria (2020)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Freelancer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2003 – 2015, software development and QM)
• Freelancer, BiTOS GmbH (2004 – 2007, software development)
• PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich (2007 – 2009)
• Post doc and later Senior Scientist: Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria (since 2009)
• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (since 2015, software development, QM, CTO since 2018, CEO since 2026)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Travel Award, OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2007)
• Young Investigators Award, 6^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Hilton Head Island, USA (2012)
• Editorial Board Osteoarthritis Imaging Journal (OSTIMA), (2021 – 2024)
• Treasurer, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI), (2026 – )
• Organizer of the 20^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Munich, Germany (June 2026)
• Author and co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Wirth W & Eckstein F. A technique for regional analysis of femorotibial cartilage thickness based on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Med Imaging; 27(6):737-44 (2008).
2. Wirth W et al. Predictive and concurrent validity of cartilage thickness change as a marker of knee osteoarthritis progression: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; 25(12):2063-2071 (2017)
3. Wirth W et al. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not affect 5 year change in knee cartilage thickness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage; 29(4):518-526 (2021).
4. Wirth W, Eckstein F. A fully-automated technique for cartilage morphometry in knees with severe radiographic osteoarthritis – Method development and validation. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 7(3):100645 (2025).
5. Wirth W et al. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model. Skeletal Radiology; 54(3):571-584 (2025)

Other

• Business start-up / company incorporation: Co-founder, BitoS GmbH (2004)
• Treasurer, ESWM: Non-profit organization: Affordable student accommodation in Munich, Germany (2025 – )

Name and Current Position
Felix Eckstein: Chief Medical Officer

Role within the company
Felix Eckstein spearheads the company’s scientific strategy in close collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and leads Medical Affairs, Business Development, Regulatory Liaison, and Scientific Communication, Media and Dissemination.

Additional Affiliations
Professor and Head of the Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging at the Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Felix Eckstein is an anatomist and musculoskeletal imaging scientist with a focus on quantitative MRI of articular tissues. His research is dedicated to the methodological standardization and qualification of imaging biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of disease modifying osteoarthritis interventions. He leads the clinical validation of fully automated analysis using AI- and deep learning-based technology.

Education and Training

• Scholarship (DAAD) for Clinical Studies (3^rd year), Bristol University, UK (1987 – 1988)
• Doctoral Thesis, Institute of Anatomy, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1988 – 1989)
•  Surgery and Neurology Training (Practical Year), Paris and Montpellier, France (1990)
• MD Degree (Dr. med), Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg, Germany (1991)
• Habilitation (Dr. med. habil), Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Postdoc: Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1991 – 1993; 1995 – 2003)
• Postdoc: Institute Diagnostic Imaging, LMU München, Munich, Germany (1993 – 1995)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria (2004 – 2019)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Declined (2012)
• Associate Dean of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria and Nürnberg, Germany (2024 – 2019): Reform and set-up of the Medical Curriculum
• Appointment: Research Professor, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PMU Salzburg (since 2019)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: Int. Soc. of Biomechanics Congress XIV, Paris, France (1993)
• Board Member: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2000 – 2005)
• President: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2002 – 2003)
• Organizer: 3^rd Annual Meeting, German Society of Biomechanics, Munich (2003)
• Secretary General: Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] (2005 – 2006)
• Organizer: 6th International Symposium on Bone Architecture and the Competence of Bone and Joints”, Salzburg, Austria (2005)
• Board Member and Head: of the Outreach Committee, OARSI (2005 – 2009)
• Organizer: 1^st, 5^th, and 14^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Ainring, (2007) and Salzburg (2011 and 2020)
• Clinical Research Award, OARSI, Brussels (2010)
• Member, German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina (since 2013)
• Organizer:109^th Annual Meeting of the Anatomical Society, Salzburg (2014)
• Group Research Award, German Academy of Rheumatic Diseases, Berlin (2015)
• Board Member, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI) (2019 – 2025)
• Austrian Ambassador, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (2024 – 2025)
• Organizer: Leopoldina (German Academy of Science) Symposium “Skeletal Interfaces
  in Health and Disease”, Salzburg (2025)

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Eckstein F, et al. Recent Advances in Osteoarthritis Imaging–the Osteoarthritis Initiative (Review). Nat Rev Rheumatol [NRR];8:622-30 (2012).
2. Hochberg MC, … Eckstein F. Effect of Intra-Articular Sprifermin vs Placebo on Femorotibial Joint Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Osteoarthritis: The FORWARD Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 8;322:1360-70 (2019)
3. Eckstein F, et al. Long-Term Structural and Symptomatic Effects of Intra-Articular Sprifermin in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: 5-Year Results from the FORWARD Study. Ann Rheum Dis; 80:1062-69 (2021)
4. : Eckstein F, Mobasheri A, Boesen MP. Multifaceted imaging strategies for clinical trials of knee osteoarthritis-a tightly interlinked value and precision chain. Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Sep;54(9):1789-1802.
5. Birmingham TB, et al.. High tibial osteotomy for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis : A randomized trial with parallel preference prm. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Sep;178(9):1238-1248.

Other

• Scholarship: German Research Foundation (DFG) for a visiting research fellow-ship at Pennsylvania State University (Prof. C. Jacobs, Hershey, PA, USA (1995)
• Business start-up / company incorportaton: Chondrometrics GmbH, with the purpose to translate academic imaging biomarker science into clinical trial solutions (2003).
• Initiator: Workshop on “Consensus for a Nomenclature for  Quantitative MRI-Based Endpoints in Osteoarthritis”, Chicago, USA & First Author of the Proposal published in Osteoarthritis Cartilage https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16730462/ (2005/06)
• Editorial Board / Associate Editor: Annals of Anatomy, Osteoarthritis Imaging (OSTIMA), Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open

Name and Current Position
Susanne Maschek: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Role within the company
Susanne Maschek is responsible for the education and training of the MRI readers (technicians) who perform articular tissue segmentations. She oversees the overall project management and human resources, and she performs the quality control (QC) of the expert segmentations. She is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Expertise Summary
Susanne Maschek is a veterinary surgeon and imaging specialist. Her focus is on image analysis of musculoskeletal MRI, with over 20 years experience in the segmentation of articular tissues (e.g. cartilage, menisci, bone, muscle). She structures and supervises Chondrometrics’ work processes in project and study management.

Education and Training

• Study of Veterinary Medicine at the LMU Munich, Germany (State Exam in 1995)
• Surgery and Diagnosis Training (Internship) at the Institute of Veterinarian Surgery, LMU, Munich, Germany (1993)
• Surgery, Diagnosis and Treatment Training (Internship) at the Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, Germany (1994)
• PhD (Dr. med. vet), Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, and Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching, Germany (1995 – 1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Part time employee at the Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching Germany (1995 – 1997)
• Freelancer in various veterinary surgery practices (1995 – 1998)
• Employee at a veterinary surgery practice specialized in farm animals (cattle, horses) and birds in Oberaichbach, Germany (1999 – 2001)
• Freelancer at Chondrometics GmbH and at Paracelsus Medical University (segmentation and quality control 2004 – 2014)
• Employee at Chondrometrics GmbH as chief of human resources, education and quality control (since 2014), COO since 2025

Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Monterey, USA (2015)
• Author and co-author of more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Maschek S, et al. Rates and sensitivity of knee cartilage thickness loss in specific central reading radiographic strata from the osteoarthritis initiative.
   Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Oct;22(10):1550-3.
2. Jansen MP, Maschek S, et al. Changes in cartilage thickness and denuded bone area after knee joint distraction and high tibial osteotomy-Post-hoc analyses of two randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):368.
3. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. Test-retest precision and longitudinal cartilage thickness loss in the IMI-APPROACH cohort. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Feb;31(2):238-248.
4. Eckstein F, Maschek S, et al. Unbiased analysis of knee cartilage thickness change over three years after sprifermin vs. placebo treatment – A post-hoc analysis from the phase 2B FORWARD study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open. 2024 Aug 23;6(4):100513
5. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. OA-BIO Consortium. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model.
   Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Mar;54(3):571-584.

Name and Current Position
Reinhard Putz: Vice President

Role within the company
Reinhard Putz is a co-founder of the company and serves in a governance and supervisory capacity.

Additional Affiliations
Professor emeritus; Curator of the Anatomical Collection at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany

Expertise Summary
Reinhard Putz’s research focuses on the biomechanics of the skeletal system, particularly the form–function relationship of synovial joints. A central emphasis of his work is the biomechanics and evolutionary biology of the spine. He has also contributed to various areas of clinical anatomy and to broader aspects of medical education.

Education and Training

• Doctoral Degree, Faculty of Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1968)
• Habilitation (Dr. med. habil), Institute of Anatomy, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1979)

Key Academic Appointments

• Univ.-Ass., Institute of Anatomy, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1968-1981)
• Associate Professor, Institute of Anatomy, LMU, Munich, Germany (1979–80)
• Professor and Director, Institute of Anatomy, Univ. of Freiburg, Germany (1982-89)
• Professor and Director, Institute of Anatomy, LMU, Munich, Germany (1989–2007)
• Vice president of LMU, Munich, Germany (2003 -2010)
• Head of the board of governors, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria (2013-2018)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• President, Anatomische Gesellschaft (1999)
• President, EACA – European Association Clinical Anatomy (1991-93)
• Member, German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina (1999-)
• Honorary degree Dr. h.c., Ovidius-University Constanta/Romania (1999)

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Huber W.P., Putz R.V.: Periarticular Fiber System of the Shoulder Joint.
   Arthroscopy 13, 680-691 (1997)
2. Boszczyk,B, Boszczyk A, Putz R: Comparative and functional anatomy of the mammalian lumbar spine. Anat. Rec. 264, 157-168 (2001)
3. Glaser C, Putz R: Functional anatomy of articular cartilage under compressive loading. Quantitative aspects of global, local and zonal reactions of the collagenous network with respect to the surface integrity. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 10, 83-99 (2002)
4. Eckstein F, Wirth W, Putz R. Sexual dimorphism in articular tissue anatomy – Key to understanding sex differences in osteoarthritis?
   Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2024 Sep;32(9):1019-1031.
5. Eckstein F, Putz R, Wirth W. Sexual dimorphism in peri-articular tissue anatomy – More keys to understanding sex-differences in osteoarthritis?
   Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2024 May 11;6(3):100485.
6. Eckstein F, Putz R: Skeletal interfaces in health and disease – Where two worlds interact: The Salzburg Leopoldina Symposium 2025 – Bridging disciplines and perspectives.
   Ann Anat. 2026 Jan 15:152786.

Other

• As Editor, Reinhard Putz played a key role in shaping internationally recognized anatomy textbooks, such as the Sobotta Atlas of Anatomy.
• He was the founding initiator of the national Master’s program: “Master of Medical Education (MME)
• He remains actively engaged in mentoring early-career scientists.

Name and Current Position
Jan Hohe: Executive Coach

Role within the company
Jan Hohe serves as Executive Coach for the Chondrometrics Executive Leadership Board. He is advising on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and digital strategy.

Additional Affiliations
Senior IT Transformation Manager & People Development Lead at Capgemini, Deutschland (since 2019). He is driving large-scale AI- and data-driven IT transformations across automotive, logistics, retail, and public-sector clients. He leverages LLM/GenAI tools, to accelerate agile delivery; leading the AI & Agile training cluster and Community of Practice.

Expertise Summary
Jan Hohe is a biomedical engineer, software architect, and AI-experienced IT transformation leader. He has hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence at large-scale enterprise IT transformation programs. As Senior IT Transformation Manager and Executive Coach he combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, enabling organizations to adopt AI-augmented ways of working at scale. His doctoral research at LMU Munich yielded validated algorithms for quantitative MRI-based joint-surface analysis and in-vivo cartilage signal characterization – foundational methodology for Chondrometrics’ AI-driven biomarker platform. He designed and implemented the company’s website (2018–2025) and in his role as Visualization Specialist (2005–2013) he created high-quality 3D renderings of human knee joints.

Education and Training

• Electrical Engineering / Medical Engineering (Grundstudium – Hauptstudium), Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg & Universität Karlsruhe (TH) (1991 –1998)
• Diploma Thesis at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH), conducted at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA (1997-98): Title: “Dynamic visualization and animation of the micro-biomechanics of bone”,
• Doctoral degree (Dr. rer. hum. biol.), LMU Munich (1998 – 2001). Title: „Entwicklung von Bildverarbeitungsmethoden zur Analyse der Gelenkflächengröße und -krümmung sowie der chondralen Signalintensität aus magnetresonanztomographischen Bilddaten“

Key Career Appointments & Professional Experience

• Software Developer – Senior Software Developer – Team Manager Product Development, TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, Munich, Germany (2001 – 2013)
• Visualisation Specialist Chondrometrics GmbH, Ainring, Germany (2005 – 2013):
• Section Manager „Pneumatische Systeme & Flow Sensoren“, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Lübeck, Germany (2013–2017)
• Web Developer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2018 – 2025)
• Senior IT Transformation Manager & People Development Lead, Capgemini Deutschland (2019–present)

Qualifications, Certifications & Achievements

• Doctoral Degree, LMU München (2001)
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC); Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
• Agile Leadership (Dräger Lead I/II); Modern Leadership (Theory Y); Liberating Structures Facilitator
• Award: Cover image of the journal “Nature Reviews Rheumatology” (2014)
• Award: Cover image for the inaugural issue of “the journal OAC Open” (2018).

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Hohe J, et al.. Surface size, curvature analysis, and assessment of knee joint incongruity with MRI in vivo. Magn Reson Med. 2002;47(3):554–61.
2. Hohe J, et al.. Three-dimensional analysis and visualization of regional MR signal intensity distribution of articular cartilage. Med Eng Phys. 2002;24(3):219–27.
3. Hohe J, et al. A technique for 3D in vivo quantification of proton density and magnetization transfer coefficients of knee joint cartilage. OAC. 2000;8(6):426–33.
4. Stammberger T, et al. Elastic registration of 3D cartilage surfaces from MRI data for detecting local changes in cartilage thickness. Magn Reson Med 2000;44(4):592–601.
5. Mendlik T, et al.. T2 quantitation of human articular cartilage in a clinical setting at 1.5 T. Invest Radiol. 2004;39(5):288–99.

Name and Current Position
Wolfgang Wirth: Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO)

Role within the company
Wolfgang Wirth succeeded Felix Eckstein as CEO of Chondrometrics GmbH in January 2026. Since, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development, IT infrastructure, software architecture, quality management (QM) system, and the implementation of automated image analysis solutions for clinical trials. He is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Additional Affiliations
Senior Scientist, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Wolfgang Wirth is a computer scientist, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging and automated image analysis. His work focuses on the development and implementation of software solutions for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of articular tissue morphology, relaxometry and radiomics. He has extensive experience in the deployment of AI-based imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, including its technical and clinical validation in a longitudinal setting.

Education and Training

• Diploma in Computer Science (Dipl.-Inf.), Technical University of Munich (2006)
• PhD (Dr. rer. biol. hum.), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (2011)
• Internal auditor (ISO 13485), BSI Academy (2019)
• Habilitation in “Experimental Anatomy” at PMU Salzburg, Austria (2020)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Freelancer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2003 – 2015, software development and QM)
• Freelancer, BiTOS GmbH (2004 – 2007, software development)
• PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich (2007 – 2009)
• Post doc and later Senior Scientist: Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria (since 2009)
• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (since 2015, software development, QM, CTO since 2018, CEO since 2026)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Travel Award, OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2007)
• Young Investigators Award, 6^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Hilton Head Island, USA (2012)
• Editorial Board Osteoarthritis Imaging Journal (OSTIMA), (2021 – 2024)
• Treasurer, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI), (2026 – )
• Organizer of the 20^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Munich, Germany (June 2026)
• Author and co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Wirth W & Eckstein F. A technique for regional analysis of femorotibial cartilage thickness based on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Med Imaging; 27(6):737-44 (2008).
2. Wirth W et al. Predictive and concurrent validity of cartilage thickness change as a marker of knee osteoarthritis progression: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; 25(12):2063-2071 (2017)
3. Wirth W et al. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not affect 5 year change in knee cartilage thickness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage; 29(4):518-526 (2021).
4. Wirth W, Eckstein F. A fully-automated technique for cartilage morphometry in knees with severe radiographic osteoarthritis – Method development and validation. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 7(3):100645 (2025).
5. Wirth W et al. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model. Skeletal Radiology; 54(3):571-584 (2025)

Other

• Business start-up / company incorporation: Co-founder, BitoS GmbH (2004)
• Treasurer, ESWM: Non-profit organization: Affordable student accommodation in Munich, Germany (2025 – )

Name and Current Position
Kowsar Sheikhi Valashani: Computational Imaging Researcher.

Role within the company
Kowsar works in software development and technical R&D, with a focus on imaging biomarker development and validation. Her current work centers on automatic, quantitative synovitis biomarkers. Her expertise includes quantitative medical image processing and analysis and technology scouting, to advance musculoskeletal imaging solutions.

Expertise Summary
Kowsar is a Medical Engineer, specializing in medical image and data processing, with a focus on musculoskeletal research. Her expertise includes HR-pQCT, CT, and MR image data analysis, e.g. segmentation, registration, and 3D visualization. She has strong programming skills in Python and experience with MATLAB and C++. She also has advanced proficiency in 3D Slicer for medical image analysis. Her background includes finite element analysis (FEA), database development and administration, medical device evaluation, and computer vision, including visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone

Education and Training

• M.Sc. Medical Engineering (Medical Image and Data Processing); Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen–Nürnberg, Germany (2020 – 2025)
• Thesis: Visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone
• B.Sc. Medical Engineering (Bioelectric); Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Iran (2015 -2019); Thesis: Novel design and evaluation of an automatic and portable phototherapy device for newborn jaundice treatment
• High School Diploma (Mathematics); Iran (2011 – 2015)

Key Professional Appointments & Professesional Experience

• Imaging Scientist & Software Developer, Chondrometrics GmbH, Freilassing, Germany (10/2025 – Present)
• Student Assistant; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Germany (10/2021 – 09/2025). Supported first and second generation HR-pQCT units, and collected and managed patient information including treatment histories, diagnoses, and comorbidities in clinical databases
• Internship; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology (04/2022 – 09/2022); Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis using HR-pQCT parameters and laboratory measurements
• Researcher; Pars Pendar Nahad Holding, Isfahan, Iran (10/2019 – 04/2020); Research and data collection, academic advising, scientific report writing and manuscript editing
• Student Research Assistant; Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Iran (2016 – 2019); Circuit design, data analysis using MATLAB and C++, Scientific reporting and dataset evaluation.

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Member, Research Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2017 – Jul 2019)
• Organizer, National Conference on New Technologies in Computer and Medical Engineering, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, 4th Conference of Proteins and Peptide Sciences (PPS4), Isfahan University, Iran (May 2019)
• Member, National Conference of New Pharmaceutical Systems Based on Iron Nanoparticles, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, National Conference of Medical Instruments, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Presenter, National Research Week Conference, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Dec 2018) Presented: Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Sheikhi, K., et al. (2020). Review on novel coronavirus (Covid-19): symptoms, transmission and diagnosis tests. Res. Infect. Dis. Trop. Med. 2(1), 1-8.
2. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2020). An introduction on different types of phototherapy devices to cure neonatal jaundice: internal structure of light sources & protection system. J. Clin. Transl. Neonatol., 1(1), 1-10.
3. Sehati M., Shirzadfar H., Sheikhi K. Physiological Systems Modeling. (Book, 2020).
4. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2019). Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment.
   Recent Res. Endocrinol. Metab. Disord., 1(1), 22-31.
5. Shirzadfar, H., Sheikhi, K., & Meschian, Z. (2019). The epidemiologic study of neonatal jaundice, relation between jaundice and liver and alternative methods to cure jaundice. Clinical Practice, 16(3), 1117-1125.

Other

• Entrepreneurship in HealthTech – ZHAW Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences (July 2024)

Name and Current Position
Jan Hohe: Executive Coach

Role within the company
Jan Hohe serves as Executive Coach for the Chondrometrics Executive Leadership Board. He is advising on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and digital strategy.

Additional Affiliations
Senior IT Transformation Manager & People Development Lead at Capgemini, Deutschland (since 2019). He is driving large-scale AI- and data-driven IT transformations across automotive, logistics, retail, and public-sector clients. He leverages LLM/GenAI tools, to accelerate agile delivery; leading the AI & Agile training cluster and Community of Practice.

Expertise Summary
Jan Hohe is a biomedical engineer, software architect, and AI-experienced IT transformation leader. He has hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence at large-scale enterprise IT transformation programs. As Senior IT Transformation Manager and Executive Coach he combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, enabling organizations to adopt AI-augmented ways of working at scale. His doctoral research at LMU Munich yielded validated algorithms for quantitative MRI-based joint-surface analysis and in-vivo cartilage signal characterization – foundational methodology for Chondrometrics’ AI-driven biomarker platform. He designed and implemented the company’s website (2018–2025) and in his role as Visualization Specialist (2005–2013) he created high-quality 3D renderings of human knee joints.

Education and Training

• Electrical Engineering / Medical Engineering (Grundstudium – Hauptstudium), Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg & Universität Karlsruhe (TH) (1991 –1998)
• Diploma Thesis at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH), conducted at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA (1997-98): Title: “Dynamic visualization and animation of the micro-biomechanics of bone”,
• Doctoral degree (Dr. rer. hum. biol.), LMU Munich (1998 – 2001). Title: „Entwicklung von Bildverarbeitungsmethoden zur Analyse der Gelenkflächengröße und -krümmung sowie der chondralen Signalintensität aus magnetresonanztomographischen Bilddaten“

Key Career Appointments & Professional Experience

• Software Developer – Senior Software Developer – Team Manager Product Development, TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, Munich, Germany (2001 – 2013)
• Visualisation Specialist Chondrometrics GmbH, Ainring, Germany (2005 – 2013):
• Section Manager „Pneumatische Systeme & Flow Sensoren“, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Lübeck, Germany (2013–2017)
• Web Developer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2018 – 2025)
• Senior IT Transformation Manager & People Development Lead, Capgemini Deutschland (2019–present)

Qualifications, Certifications & Achievements

• Doctoral Degree, LMU München (2001)
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC); Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
• Agile Leadership (Dräger Lead I/II); Modern Leadership (Theory Y); Liberating Structures Facilitator
• Award: Cover image of the journal “Nature Reviews Rheumatology” (2014)
• Award: Cover image for the inaugural issue of “the journal OAC Open” (2018).

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Hohe J, et al.. Surface size, curvature analysis, and assessment of knee joint incongruity with MRI in vivo. Magn Reson Med. 2002;47(3):554–61.
2. Hohe J, et al.. Three-dimensional analysis and visualization of regional MR signal intensity distribution of articular cartilage. Med Eng Phys. 2002;24(3):219–27.
3. Hohe J, et al. A technique for 3D in vivo quantification of proton density and magnetization transfer coefficients of knee joint cartilage. OAC. 2000;8(6):426–33.
4. Stammberger T, et al. Elastic registration of 3D cartilage surfaces from MRI data for detecting local changes in cartilage thickness. Magn Reson Med 2000;44(4):592–601.
5. Mendlik T, et al.. T2 quantitation of human articular cartilage in a clinical setting at 1.5 T. Invest Radiol. 2004;39(5):288–99.

Name and Current Position
M. Sc. Anna Wisser; Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) and Project Manager

Role within the company
Anna Wisser joined Chondrometrics GmbH in 2018 as a Project Manager, coordinating the MRI analysis workflow in clinical trials and research studies. Her work included managing data entry and quality control, documentation, communication with clients and CROs, and data distribution to the freelance expert readers. Since 2020, she has taken on responsibilities in quality manage-ment; since 2026 she serves as Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC).

Additional Affiliations
PhD, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Anna Wisser holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and Sports Therapy, and a Master’s degree in Human Technology in Sports and Medicine. Her master thesis is on the validation of a system for clinical gait analysis. During her studies, she built expertise in biomechanics, physiology, and data analysis, complemented by training in business administration and project management. Building on practical experience with functional performance tests and sensor-based movement analysis in sports therapy, her current research focuses primarily on the association of these measures with patient reported outcomes, such as pain.

Education and Training

• M.Sc. Human Technology in Sports and Medicine, German Sport University Cologne (2018)
• B.A. Sport Science – Exercise-related Health Promotion (Major), Sports Therapy (Minor), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (2014)
• Exercise / Sports Therapist, DVGS – German Association for Health Sport and Sports Therapy; Focus areas: Orthopedics/Traumatology/Rheumatology, Oncology, Internal Medicine (all certification requirements completed, 2014)

Professional Experience and Academic Appointments

• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (Project Manager since 2018, Quality Manager since 2020, Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) since 2026)
• PhD, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria (since November 2022)

Selected Publications or Outputs

• Wisser A, et al. Longitudinal change in knee cartilage thickness and function in subjects with and without MRI-diagnosed cartilage damage. Cartilage. 2021 Dec;13(1):685S-693S.
• Mundt M, Wisser A., et al. The influence of motion tasks on the accuracy of kinematic motion patterns of an IMU-based measurement system. Conf. Paper 2017 – 35th Conference of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport: Cologne, Germany.
• Wisser A. et al. The effect of ski boot flexion stiffness on jump landings in skiing.
  Kurpiers, N., Petrone, N., Conf. Paper 2016 – 7th International Congress on Science and Skiing: St. Christoph, Austria.

Selected Early Professional Experience

• Brand Ambassador, Salomon – product training and brand representation in sports retail and events (2018–2021)
• Snow Sports Instructor, Schneesportschule Hochhäderich, Austria – skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing instruction (2018)
• Research Internships, Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark & Int. Sports Eng. Assoc. Winter Camp in Sports Engineering, Italy  (3 months 2016)
• Nordic School Assistant, DSV Ski Akademie Notschrei, Germany (Winter 2013 & 2014)

Other

• Ski Instructor Level 1, German Ski Instructors Association (DSLV)
• C-Level Coach, Competitive Artistic Gymnastics, German Olympic Sports Confederation / German Gymnastics Federation (DOSB/DTB)
• DTB-Pokal World Cup Series, Stuttgart (2006, 2008–2014, 2017) – Support for the Artistic Gymnastics Symposium (logistics; coordination of workshops, participants and speakers)

Name and Current Position
Wolfgang Wirth: Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO)

Role within the company
Wolfgang Wirth succeeded Felix Eckstein as CEO of Chondrometrics GmbH in January 2026. Since, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development, IT infrastructure, software architecture, quality management (QM) system, and the implementation of automated image analysis solutions for clinical trials. He is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Additional Affiliations
Senior Scientist, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Wolfgang Wirth is a computer scientist, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging and automated image analysis. His work focuses on the development and implementation of software solutions for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of articular tissue morphology, relaxometry and radiomics. He has extensive experience in the deployment of AI-based imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, including its technical and clinical validation in a longitudinal setting.

Education and Training

• Diploma in Computer Science (Dipl.-Inf.), Technical University of Munich (2006)
• PhD (Dr. rer. biol. hum.), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (2011)
• Internal auditor (ISO 13485), BSI Academy (2019)
• Habilitation in “Experimental Anatomy” at PMU Salzburg, Austria (2020)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Freelancer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2003 – 2015, software development and QM)
• Freelancer, BiTOS GmbH (2004 – 2007, software development)
• PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich (2007 – 2009)
• Post doc and later Senior Scientist: Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria (since 2009)
• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (since 2015, software development, QM, CTO since 2018, CEO since 2026)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Travel Award, OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2007)
• Young Investigators Award, 6^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Hilton Head Island, USA (2012)
• Editorial Board Osteoarthritis Imaging Journal (OSTIMA), (2021 – 2024)
• Treasurer, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI), (2026 – )
• Organizer of the 20^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Munich, Germany (June 2026)
• Author and co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Wirth W & Eckstein F. A technique for regional analysis of femorotibial cartilage thickness based on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Med Imaging; 27(6):737-44 (2008).
2. Wirth W et al. Predictive and concurrent validity of cartilage thickness change as a marker of knee osteoarthritis progression: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; 25(12):2063-2071 (2017)
3. Wirth W et al. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not affect 5 year change in knee cartilage thickness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage; 29(4):518-526 (2021).
4. Wirth W, Eckstein F. A fully-automated technique for cartilage morphometry in knees with severe radiographic osteoarthritis – Method development and validation. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 7(3):100645 (2025).
5. Wirth W et al. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model. Skeletal Radiology; 54(3):571-584 (2025)

Other

• Business start-up / company incorporation: Co-founder, BitoS GmbH (2004)
• Treasurer, ESWM: Non-profit organization: Affordable student accommodation in Munich, Germany (2025 – )

Name and Current Position
Kowsar Sheikhi Valashani: Computational Imaging Researcher.

Role within the company
Kowsar works in software development and technical R&D, with a focus on imaging biomarker development and validation. Her current work centers on automatic, quantitative synovitis biomarkers. Her expertise includes quantitative medical image processing and analysis and technology scouting, to advance musculoskeletal imaging solutions.

Expertise Summary
Kowsar is a Medical Engineer, specializing in medical image and data processing, with a focus on musculoskeletal research. Her expertise includes HR-pQCT, CT, and MR image data analysis, e.g. segmentation, registration, and 3D visualization. She has strong programming skills in Python and experience with MATLAB and C++. She also has advanced proficiency in 3D Slicer for medical image analysis. Her background includes finite element analysis (FEA), database development and administration, medical device evaluation, and computer vision, including visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone

Education and Training

• M.Sc. Medical Engineering (Medical Image and Data Processing); Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen–Nürnberg, Germany (2020 – 2025)
• Thesis: Visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone
• B.Sc. Medical Engineering (Bioelectric); Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Iran (2015 -2019); Thesis: Novel design and evaluation of an automatic and portable phototherapy device for newborn jaundice treatment
• High School Diploma (Mathematics); Iran (2011 – 2015)

Key Professional Appointments & Professesional Experience

• Imaging Scientist & Software Developer, Chondrometrics GmbH, Freilassing, Germany (10/2025 – Present)
• Student Assistant; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Germany (10/2021 – 09/2025). Supported first and second generation HR-pQCT units, and collected and managed patient information including treatment histories, diagnoses, and comorbidities in clinical databases
• Internship; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology (04/2022 – 09/2022); Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis using HR-pQCT parameters and laboratory measurements
• Researcher; Pars Pendar Nahad Holding, Isfahan, Iran (10/2019 – 04/2020); Research and data collection, academic advising, scientific report writing and manuscript editing
• Student Research Assistant; Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Iran (2016 – 2019); Circuit design, data analysis using MATLAB and C++, Scientific reporting and dataset evaluation.

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Member, Research Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2017 – Jul 2019)
• Organizer, National Conference on New Technologies in Computer and Medical Engineering, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, 4th Conference of Proteins and Peptide Sciences (PPS4), Isfahan University, Iran (May 2019)
• Member, National Conference of New Pharmaceutical Systems Based on Iron Nanoparticles, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, National Conference of Medical Instruments, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Presenter, National Research Week Conference, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Dec 2018) Presented: Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Sheikhi, K., et al. (2020). Review on novel coronavirus (Covid-19): symptoms, transmission and diagnosis tests. Res. Infect. Dis. Trop. Med. 2(1), 1-8.
2. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2020). An introduction on different types of phototherapy devices to cure neonatal jaundice: internal structure of light sources & protection system. J. Clin. Transl. Neonatol., 1(1), 1-10.
3. Sehati M., Shirzadfar H., Sheikhi K. Physiological Systems Modeling. (Book, 2020).
4. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2019). Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment.
   Recent Res. Endocrinol. Metab. Disord., 1(1), 22-31.
5. Shirzadfar, H., Sheikhi, K., & Meschian, Z. (2019). The epidemiologic study of neonatal jaundice, relation between jaundice and liver and alternative methods to cure jaundice. Clinical Practice, 16(3), 1117-1125.

Other

• Entrepreneurship in HealthTech – ZHAW Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences (July 2024)

Name and Current Position
Felix Eckstein: Chief Medical Officer

Role within the company
Felix Eckstein spearheads the company’s scientific strategy in close collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and leads Medical Affairs, Business Development, Regulatory Liaison, and Scientific Communication, Media and Dissemination.

Additional Affiliations
Professor and Head of the Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging at the Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Felix Eckstein is an anatomist and musculoskeletal imaging scientist with a focus on quantitative MRI of articular tissues. His research is dedicated to the methodological standardization and qualification of imaging biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of disease modifying osteoarthritis interventions. He leads the clinical validation of fully automated analysis using AI- and deep learning-based technology.

Education and Training

• Scholarship (DAAD) for Clinical Studies (3^rd year), Bristol University, UK (1987 – 1988)
• Doctoral Thesis, Institute of Anatomy, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1988 – 1989)
•  Surgery and Neurology Training (Practical Year), Paris and Montpellier, France (1990)
• MD Degree (Dr. med), Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg, Germany (1991)
• Habilitation (Dr. med. habil), Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Postdoc: Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1991 – 1993; 1995 – 2003)
• Postdoc: Institute Diagnostic Imaging, LMU München, Munich, Germany (1993 – 1995)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria (2004 – 2019)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Declined (2012)
• Associate Dean of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria and Nürnberg, Germany (2024 – 2019): Reform and set-up of the Medical Curriculum
• Appointment: Research Professor, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PMU Salzburg (since 2019)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: Int. Soc. of Biomechanics Congress XIV, Paris, France (1993)
• Board Member: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2000 – 2005)
• President: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2002 – 2003)
• Organizer: 3^rd Annual Meeting, German Society of Biomechanics, Munich (2003)
• Secretary General: Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] (2005 – 2006)
• Organizer: 6th International Symposium on Bone Architecture and the Competence of Bone and Joints”, Salzburg, Austria (2005)
• Board Member and Head: of the Outreach Committee, OARSI (2005 – 2009)
• Organizer: 1^st, 5^th, and 14^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Ainring, (2007) and Salzburg (2011 and 2020)
• Clinical Research Award, OARSI, Brussels (2010)
• Member, German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina (since 2013)
• Organizer:109^th Annual Meeting of the Anatomical Society, Salzburg (2014)
• Group Research Award, German Academy of Rheumatic Diseases, Berlin (2015)
• Board Member, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI) (2019 – 2025)
• Austrian Ambassador, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (2024 – 2025)
• Organizer: Leopoldina (German Academy of Science) Symposium “Skeletal Interfaces
  in Health and Disease”, Salzburg (2025)

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Eckstein F, et al. Recent Advances in Osteoarthritis Imaging–the Osteoarthritis Initiative (Review). Nat Rev Rheumatol [NRR];8:622-30 (2012).
2. Hochberg MC, … Eckstein F. Effect of Intra-Articular Sprifermin vs Placebo on Femorotibial Joint Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Osteoarthritis: The FORWARD Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 8;322:1360-70 (2019)
3. Eckstein F, et al. Long-Term Structural and Symptomatic Effects of Intra-Articular Sprifermin in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: 5-Year Results from the FORWARD Study. Ann Rheum Dis; 80:1062-69 (2021)
4. : Eckstein F, Mobasheri A, Boesen MP. Multifaceted imaging strategies for clinical trials of knee osteoarthritis-a tightly interlinked value and precision chain. Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Sep;54(9):1789-1802.
5. Birmingham TB, et al.. High tibial osteotomy for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis : A randomized trial with parallel preference prm. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Sep;178(9):1238-1248.

Other

• Scholarship: German Research Foundation (DFG) for a visiting research fellow-ship at Pennsylvania State University (Prof. C. Jacobs, Hershey, PA, USA (1995)
• Business start-up / company incorportaton: Chondrometrics GmbH, with the purpose to translate academic imaging biomarker science into clinical trial solutions (2003).
• Initiator: Workshop on “Consensus for a Nomenclature for  Quantitative MRI-Based Endpoints in Osteoarthritis”, Chicago, USA & First Author of the Proposal published in Osteoarthritis Cartilage https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16730462/ (2005/06)
• Editorial Board / Associate Editor: Annals of Anatomy, Osteoarthritis Imaging (OSTIMA), Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open

Name and Current Position
Wolfgang Wirth: Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO)

Role within the company
Wolfgang Wirth succeeded Felix Eckstein as CEO of Chondrometrics GmbH in January 2026. Since, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development, IT infrastructure, software architecture, quality management (QM) system, and the implementation of automated image analysis solutions for clinical trials. He is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Additional Affiliations
Senior Scientist, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Wolfgang Wirth is a computer scientist, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging and automated image analysis. His work focuses on the development and implementation of software solutions for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of articular tissue morphology, relaxometry and radiomics. He has extensive experience in the deployment of AI-based imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, including its technical and clinical validation in a longitudinal setting.

Education and Training

• Diploma in Computer Science (Dipl.-Inf.), Technical University of Munich (2006)
• PhD (Dr. rer. biol. hum.), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (2011)
• Internal auditor (ISO 13485), BSI Academy (2019)
• Habilitation in “Experimental Anatomy” at PMU Salzburg, Austria (2020)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Freelancer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2003 – 2015, software development and QM)
• Freelancer, BiTOS GmbH (2004 – 2007, software development)
• PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich (2007 – 2009)
• Post doc and later Senior Scientist: Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria (since 2009)
• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (since 2015, software development, QM, CTO since 2018, CEO since 2026)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Travel Award, OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2007)
• Young Investigators Award, 6^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Hilton Head Island, USA (2012)
• Editorial Board Osteoarthritis Imaging Journal (OSTIMA), (2021 – 2024)
• Treasurer, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI), (2026 – )
• Organizer of the 20^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Munich, Germany (June 2026)
• Author and co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Wirth W & Eckstein F. A technique for regional analysis of femorotibial cartilage thickness based on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Med Imaging; 27(6):737-44 (2008).
2. Wirth W et al. Predictive and concurrent validity of cartilage thickness change as a marker of knee osteoarthritis progression: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; 25(12):2063-2071 (2017)
3. Wirth W et al. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not affect 5 year change in knee cartilage thickness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage; 29(4):518-526 (2021).
4. Wirth W, Eckstein F. A fully-automated technique for cartilage morphometry in knees with severe radiographic osteoarthritis – Method development and validation. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 7(3):100645 (2025).
5. Wirth W et al. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model. Skeletal Radiology; 54(3):571-584 (2025)

Other

• Business start-up / company incorporation: Co-founder, BitoS GmbH (2004)
• Treasurer, ESWM: Non-profit organization: Affordable student accommodation in Munich, Germany (2025 – )

Sharif Karimi was born in Iran and developed an early interest in software engineering that led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software Engineering at the Islamic Azad University in Najafabad, where he graduated in 2017. During his studies he built a strong technical foundation in programming, database systems, and web technologies, which later shaped his professional path as a developer with a focus on modern content management systems and full stack web development.

After completing his degree, he began working as a PHP Developer at Rahanj in Isfahan. In this role he maintained and implemented customer websites using PHP and Laravel, collaborating closely with frontend teams to ensure seamless integration between backend logic and user interfaces. His responsibilities also included systematic testing, debugging, and troubleshooting, experiences that strengthened both his technical precision and his ability to communicate effectively with cross functional teams.

Sharif later moved to Munich to join Weidinger GmbH as a PHP Developer. There he integrated APIs that synchronized online purchase data with ERP systems and enhanced backend performance using Linux based tools. This period allowed him to deepen his knowledge of scalable backend architectures and real world data integration challenges. Alongside his work, he completed several professional certifications in PHP and SQL from the University of Michigan, expanding his capabilities in database design and application development.

In 2018 he began offering his expertise as a freelance WordPress Specialist. He designed and delivered custom websites, built tailored themes and child themes, implemented multilingual setups, and optimized performance and SEO for diverse clients. He also managed key plugins such as WooCommerce, Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7 and Google Analytics. His freelance work grew steadily and became an important part of his professional identity, enabling him to work closely with clients and support them across development, maintenance, and content workflows.

Since 2024 Sharif has been working as a Web Developer at Mediendesign AG in Nuremberg. In this position he maintains and updates numerous WordPress and TYPO3 websites, develops custom extensions, implements responsive layouts, and collaborates with design teams to deliver high quality digital experiences. With strong skills in PHP, Laravel, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue.js, Angular, MySQL, Linux environments, and Git based workflows, he brings a comprehensive and reliable skillset to every project he contributes to.

Name and Current Position
Felix Eckstein: Chief Medical Officer

Role within the company
Felix Eckstein spearheads the company’s scientific strategy in close collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and leads Medical Affairs, Business Development, Regulatory Liaison, and Scientific Communication, Media and Dissemination.

Additional Affiliations
Professor and Head of the Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging at the Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Felix Eckstein is an anatomist and musculoskeletal imaging scientist with a focus on quantitative MRI of articular tissues. His research is dedicated to the methodological standardization and qualification of imaging biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of disease modifying osteoarthritis interventions. He leads the clinical validation of fully automated analysis using AI- and deep learning-based technology.

Education and Training

• Scholarship (DAAD) for Clinical Studies (3^rd year), Bristol University, UK (1987 – 1988)
• Doctoral Thesis, Institute of Anatomy, University of Innsbruck, Austria (1988 – 1989)
•  Surgery and Neurology Training (Practical Year), Paris and Montpellier, France (1990)
• MD Degree (Dr. med), Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg, Germany (1991)
• Habilitation (Dr. med. habil), Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Postdoc: Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich, Germany (1991 – 1993; 1995 – 2003)
• Postdoc: Institute Diagnostic Imaging, LMU München, Munich, Germany (1993 – 1995)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria (2004 – 2019)
• Appointment: Professor and Chair, Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Declined (2012)
• Associate Dean of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria and Nürnberg, Germany (2024 – 2019): Reform and set-up of the Medical Curriculum
• Appointment: Research Professor, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PMU Salzburg (since 2019)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: Int. Soc. of Biomechanics Congress XIV, Paris, France (1993)
• Board Member: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2000 – 2005)
• President: DGfB / German Society of Biomechanics (2002 – 2003)
• Organizer: 3^rd Annual Meeting, German Society of Biomechanics, Munich (2003)
• Secretary General: Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] (2005 – 2006)
• Organizer: 6th International Symposium on Bone Architecture and the Competence of Bone and Joints”, Salzburg, Austria (2005)
• Board Member and Head: of the Outreach Committee, OARSI (2005 – 2009)
• Organizer: 1^st, 5^th, and 14^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Ainring, (2007) and Salzburg (2011 and 2020)
• Clinical Research Award, OARSI, Brussels (2010)
• Member, German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina (since 2013)
• Organizer:109^th Annual Meeting of the Anatomical Society, Salzburg (2014)
• Group Research Award, German Academy of Rheumatic Diseases, Berlin (2015)
• Board Member, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI) (2019 – 2025)
• Austrian Ambassador, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (2024 – 2025)
• Organizer: Leopoldina (German Academy of Science) Symposium “Skeletal Interfaces
  in Health and Disease”, Salzburg (2025)

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Eckstein F, et al. Recent Advances in Osteoarthritis Imaging–the Osteoarthritis Initiative (Review). Nat Rev Rheumatol [NRR];8:622-30 (2012).
2. Hochberg MC, … Eckstein F. Effect of Intra-Articular Sprifermin vs Placebo on Femorotibial Joint Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Osteoarthritis: The FORWARD Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 8;322:1360-70 (2019)
3. Eckstein F, et al. Long-Term Structural and Symptomatic Effects of Intra-Articular Sprifermin in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: 5-Year Results from the FORWARD Study. Ann Rheum Dis; 80:1062-69 (2021)
4. : Eckstein F, Mobasheri A, Boesen MP. Multifaceted imaging strategies for clinical trials of knee osteoarthritis-a tightly interlinked value and precision chain. Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Sep;54(9):1789-1802.
5. Birmingham TB, et al.. High tibial osteotomy for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis : A randomized trial with parallel preference prm. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Sep;178(9):1238-1248.

Other

• Scholarship: German Research Foundation (DFG) for a visiting research fellow-ship at Pennsylvania State University (Prof. C. Jacobs, Hershey, PA, USA (1995)
• Business start-up / company incorportaton: Chondrometrics GmbH, with the purpose to translate academic imaging biomarker science into clinical trial solutions (2003).
• Initiator: Workshop on “Consensus for a Nomenclature for  Quantitative MRI-Based Endpoints in Osteoarthritis”, Chicago, USA & First Author of the Proposal published in Osteoarthritis Cartilage https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16730462/ (2005/06)
• Editorial Board / Associate Editor: Annals of Anatomy, Osteoarthritis Imaging (OSTIMA), Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open

Name and Current Position
Wolfgang Wirth: Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer (CEO & CTO)

Role within the company
Wolfgang Wirth succeeded Felix Eckstein as CEO of Chondrometrics GmbH in January 2026. Since, he is responsible for the company’s strategic development, IT infrastructure, software architecture, quality management (QM) system, and the implementation of automated image analysis solutions for clinical trials. He is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Additional Affiliations
Senior Scientist, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Wolfgang Wirth is a computer scientist, specialized in musculoskeletal imaging and automated image analysis. His work focuses on the development and implementation of software solutions for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of articular tissue morphology, relaxometry and radiomics. He has extensive experience in the deployment of AI-based imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, including its technical and clinical validation in a longitudinal setting.

Education and Training

• Diploma in Computer Science (Dipl.-Inf.), Technical University of Munich (2006)
• PhD (Dr. rer. biol. hum.), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (2011)
• Internal auditor (ISO 13485), BSI Academy (2019)
• Habilitation in “Experimental Anatomy” at PMU Salzburg, Austria (2020)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Freelancer, Chondrometrics GmbH (2003 – 2015, software development and QM)
• Freelancer, BiTOS GmbH (2004 – 2007, software development)
• PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, LMU Munich (2007 – 2009)
• Post doc and later Senior Scientist: Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria (since 2009)
• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (since 2015, software development, QM, CTO since 2018, CEO since 2026)

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Travel Award, OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2007)
• Young Investigators Award, 6^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Hilton Head Island, USA (2012)
• Editorial Board Osteoarthritis Imaging Journal (OSTIMA), (2021 – 2024)
• Treasurer, International Society of Osteoarthritis Imaging (ISOAI), (2026 – )
• Organizer of the 20^th International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI) in Munich, Germany (June 2026)
• Author and co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Wirth W & Eckstein F. A technique for regional analysis of femorotibial cartilage thickness based on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. IEEE Trans Med Imaging; 27(6):737-44 (2008).
2. Wirth W et al. Predictive and concurrent validity of cartilage thickness change as a marker of knee osteoarthritis progression: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage; 25(12):2063-2071 (2017)
3. Wirth W et al. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not affect 5 year change in knee cartilage thickness: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage; 29(4):518-526 (2021).
4. Wirth W, Eckstein F. A fully-automated technique for cartilage morphometry in knees with severe radiographic osteoarthritis – Method development and validation. Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 7(3):100645 (2025).
5. Wirth W et al. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model. Skeletal Radiology; 54(3):571-584 (2025)

Other

• Business start-up / company incorporation: Co-founder, BitoS GmbH (2004)
• Treasurer, ESWM: Non-profit organization: Affordable student accommodation in Munich, Germany (2025 – )

Name and Current Position
Kowsar Sheikhi Valashani: Computational Imaging Researcher.

Role within the company
Kowsar works in software development and technical R&D, with a focus on imaging biomarker development and validation. Her current work centers on automatic, quantitative synovitis biomarkers. Her expertise includes quantitative medical image processing and analysis and technology scouting, to advance musculoskeletal imaging solutions.

Expertise Summary
Kowsar is a Medical Engineer, specializing in medical image and data processing, with a focus on musculoskeletal research. Her expertise includes HR-pQCT, CT, and MR image data analysis, e.g. segmentation, registration, and 3D visualization. She has strong programming skills in Python and experience with MATLAB and C++. She also has advanced proficiency in 3D Slicer for medical image analysis. Her background includes finite element analysis (FEA), database development and administration, medical device evaluation, and computer vision, including visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone

Education and Training

• M.Sc. Medical Engineering (Medical Image and Data Processing); Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen–Nürnberg, Germany (2020 – 2025)
• Thesis: Visualization of morphological changes in knee cartilage and subchondral bone
• B.Sc. Medical Engineering (Bioelectric); Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Iran (2015 -2019); Thesis: Novel design and evaluation of an automatic and portable phototherapy device for newborn jaundice treatment
• High School Diploma (Mathematics); Iran (2011 – 2015)

Key Professional Appointments & Professesional Experience

• Imaging Scientist & Software Developer, Chondrometrics GmbH, Freilassing, Germany (10/2025 – Present)
• Student Assistant; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Germany (10/2021 – 09/2025). Supported first and second generation HR-pQCT units, and collected and managed patient information including treatment histories, diagnoses, and comorbidities in clinical databases
• Internship; Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology (04/2022 – 09/2022); Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis using HR-pQCT parameters and laboratory measurements
• Researcher; Pars Pendar Nahad Holding, Isfahan, Iran (10/2019 – 04/2020); Research and data collection, academic advising, scientific report writing and manuscript editing
• Student Research Assistant; Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Iran (2016 – 2019); Circuit design, data analysis using MATLAB and C++, Scientific reporting and dataset evaluation.

Scientific Leadership, Honors and Awards

• Member, Research Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sheikh Bahai University (SHBU), Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2017 – Jul 2019)
• Organizer, National Conference on New Technologies in Computer and Medical Engineering, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, 4th Conference of Proteins and Peptide Sciences (PPS4), Isfahan University, Iran (May 2019)
• Member, National Conference of New Pharmaceutical Systems Based on Iron Nanoparticles, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Member, National Conference of Medical Instruments, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Feb 2019)
• Presenter, National Research Week Conference, SHBU, Isfahan, Iran (Dec 2018) Presented: Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Sheikhi, K., et al. (2020). Review on novel coronavirus (Covid-19): symptoms, transmission and diagnosis tests. Res. Infect. Dis. Trop. Med. 2(1), 1-8.
2. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2020). An introduction on different types of phototherapy devices to cure neonatal jaundice: internal structure of light sources & protection system. J. Clin. Transl. Neonatol., 1(1), 1-10.
3. Sehati M., Shirzadfar H., Sheikhi K. Physiological Systems Modeling. (Book, 2020).
4. Shirzadfar, H., & Sheikhi, K. (2019). Novel Design and Evaluation of an Automatic and Portable Phototherapy Device Using for Newborn Jaundice Treatment.
   Recent Res. Endocrinol. Metab. Disord., 1(1), 22-31.
5. Shirzadfar, H., Sheikhi, K., & Meschian, Z. (2019). The epidemiologic study of neonatal jaundice, relation between jaundice and liver and alternative methods to cure jaundice. Clinical Practice, 16(3), 1117-1125.

Other

• Entrepreneurship in HealthTech – ZHAW Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences (July 2024)

Name and Current Position
Susanne Maschek: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Role within the company
Susanne Maschek is responsible for the education and training of the MRI readers (technicians) who perform articular tissue segmentations. She oversees the overall project management and human resources, and she performs the quality control (QC) of the expert segmentations. She is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Expertise Summary
Susanne Maschek is a veterinary surgeon and imaging specialist. Her focus is on image analysis of musculoskeletal MRI, with over 20 years experience in the segmentation of articular tissues (e.g. cartilage, menisci, bone, muscle). She structures and supervises Chondrometrics’ work processes in project and study management.

Education and Training

• Study of Veterinary Medicine at the LMU Munich, Germany (State Exam in 1995)
• Surgery and Diagnosis Training (Internship) at the Institute of Veterinarian Surgery, LMU, Munich, Germany (1993)
• Surgery, Diagnosis and Treatment Training (Internship) at the Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, Germany (1994)
• PhD (Dr. med. vet), Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, and Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching, Germany (1995 – 1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Part time employee at the Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching Germany (1995 – 1997)
• Freelancer in various veterinary surgery practices (1995 – 1998)
• Employee at a veterinary surgery practice specialized in farm animals (cattle, horses) and birds in Oberaichbach, Germany (1999 – 2001)
• Freelancer at Chondrometics GmbH and at Paracelsus Medical University (segmentation and quality control 2004 – 2014)
• Employee at Chondrometrics GmbH as chief of human resources, education and quality control (since 2014), COO since 2025

Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Monterey, USA (2015)
• Author and co-author of more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Maschek S, et al. Rates and sensitivity of knee cartilage thickness loss in specific central reading radiographic strata from the osteoarthritis initiative.
   Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Oct;22(10):1550-3.
2. Jansen MP, Maschek S, et al. Changes in cartilage thickness and denuded bone area after knee joint distraction and high tibial osteotomy-Post-hoc analyses of two randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):368.
3. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. Test-retest precision and longitudinal cartilage thickness loss in the IMI-APPROACH cohort. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Feb;31(2):238-248.
4. Eckstein F, Maschek S, et al. Unbiased analysis of knee cartilage thickness change over three years after sprifermin vs. placebo treatment – A post-hoc analysis from the phase 2B FORWARD study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open. 2024 Aug 23;6(4):100513
5. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. OA-BIO Consortium. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model.
   Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Mar;54(3):571-584.

Name and Current Position
M. Sc. Anna Wisser; Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) and Project Manager

Role within the company
Anna Wisser joined Chondrometrics GmbH in 2018 as a Project Manager, coordinating the MRI analysis workflow in clinical trials and research studies. Her work included managing data entry and quality control, documentation, communication with clients and CROs, and data distribution to the freelance expert readers. Since 2020, she has taken on responsibilities in quality manage-ment; since 2026 she serves as Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC).

Additional Affiliations
PhD, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg, Austria

Expertise Summary
Anna Wisser holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and Sports Therapy, and a Master’s degree in Human Technology in Sports and Medicine. Her master thesis is on the validation of a system for clinical gait analysis. During her studies, she built expertise in biomechanics, physiology, and data analysis, complemented by training in business administration and project management. Building on practical experience with functional performance tests and sensor-based movement analysis in sports therapy, her current research focuses primarily on the association of these measures with patient reported outcomes, such as pain.

Education and Training

• M.Sc. Human Technology in Sports and Medicine, German Sport University Cologne (2018)
• B.A. Sport Science – Exercise-related Health Promotion (Major), Sports Therapy (Minor), Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (2014)
• Exercise / Sports Therapist, DVGS – German Association for Health Sport and Sports Therapy; Focus areas: Orthopedics/Traumatology/Rheumatology, Oncology, Internal Medicine (all certification requirements completed, 2014)

Professional Experience and Academic Appointments

• Employee, Chondrometrics GmbH (Project Manager since 2018, Quality Manager since 2020, Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) since 2026)
• PhD, Research Program for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation (LBIAR), Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria (since November 2022)

Selected Publications or Outputs

• Wisser A, et al. Longitudinal change in knee cartilage thickness and function in subjects with and without MRI-diagnosed cartilage damage. Cartilage. 2021 Dec;13(1):685S-693S.
• Mundt M, Wisser A., et al. The influence of motion tasks on the accuracy of kinematic motion patterns of an IMU-based measurement system. Conf. Paper 2017 – 35th Conference of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport: Cologne, Germany.
• Wisser A. et al. The effect of ski boot flexion stiffness on jump landings in skiing.
  Kurpiers, N., Petrone, N., Conf. Paper 2016 – 7th International Congress on Science and Skiing: St. Christoph, Austria.

Selected Early Professional Experience

• Brand Ambassador, Salomon – product training and brand representation in sports retail and events (2018–2021)
• Snow Sports Instructor, Schneesportschule Hochhäderich, Austria – skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing instruction (2018)
• Research Internships, Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark & Int. Sports Eng. Assoc. Winter Camp in Sports Engineering, Italy  (3 months 2016)
• Nordic School Assistant, DSV Ski Akademie Notschrei, Germany (Winter 2013 & 2014)

Other

• Ski Instructor Level 1, German Ski Instructors Association (DSLV)
• C-Level Coach, Competitive Artistic Gymnastics, German Olympic Sports Confederation / German Gymnastics Federation (DOSB/DTB)
• DTB-Pokal World Cup Series, Stuttgart (2006, 2008–2014, 2017) – Support for the Artistic Gymnastics Symposium (logistics; coordination of workshops, participants and speakers)

Name and Current Position
Susanne Maschek: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Role within the company
Susanne Maschek is responsible for the education and training of the MRI readers (technicians) who perform articular tissue segmentations. She oversees the overall project management and human resources, and she performs the quality control (QC) of the expert segmentations. She is a co-owner of the company since 2010.

Expertise Summary
Susanne Maschek is a veterinary surgeon and imaging specialist. Her focus is on image analysis of musculoskeletal MRI, with over 20 years experience in the segmentation of articular tissues (e.g. cartilage, menisci, bone, muscle). She structures and supervises Chondrometrics’ work processes in project and study management.

Education and Training

• Study of Veterinary Medicine at the LMU Munich, Germany (State Exam in 1995)
• Surgery and Diagnosis Training (Internship) at the Institute of Veterinarian Surgery, LMU, Munich, Germany (1993)
• Surgery, Diagnosis and Treatment Training (Internship) at the Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, Germany (1994)
• PhD (Dr. med. vet), Institute of Avian Medicine, LMU, Oberschleißheim, and Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching, Germany (1995 – 1997)

Key Academic Appointments & Professional Experience

• Part time employee at the Research Reactor Center of the Department of Physics, TUM, Garching Germany (1995 – 1997)
• Freelancer in various veterinary surgery practices (1995 – 1998)
• Employee at a veterinary surgery practice specialized in farm animals (cattle, horses) and birds in Oberaichbach, Germany (1999 – 2001)
• Freelancer at Chondrometics GmbH and at Paracelsus Medical University (segmentation and quality control 2004 – 2014)
• Employee at Chondrometrics GmbH as chief of human resources, education and quality control (since 2014), COO since 2025

Honors and Awards

• Young Investigator Award: International Workshop on Osteoarthritis Imaging (IWOAI), Monterey, USA (2015)
• Author and co-author of more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications

Selected Publications or Outputs

1. Maschek S, et al. Rates and sensitivity of knee cartilage thickness loss in specific central reading radiographic strata from the osteoarthritis initiative.
   Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014 Oct;22(10):1550-3.
2. Jansen MP, Maschek S, et al. Changes in cartilage thickness and denuded bone area after knee joint distraction and high tibial osteotomy-Post-hoc analyses of two randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med. 2021 Jan 19;10(2):368.
3. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. Test-retest precision and longitudinal cartilage thickness loss in the IMI-APPROACH cohort. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Feb;31(2):238-248.
4. Eckstein F, Maschek S, et al. Unbiased analysis of knee cartilage thickness change over three years after sprifermin vs. placebo treatment – A post-hoc analysis from the phase 2B FORWARD study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage Open. 2024 Aug 23;6(4):100513
5. Wirth W, Maschek S, et al. OA-BIO Consortium. Evaluation of an automated laminar cartilage T2 relaxation time analysis method in an early osteoarthritis model.
   Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Mar;54(3):571-584.