Elín Birna leads Fab Lab Reykjavík

Ljósmyndari: Silla Páls

Elín Birna Gunnarsdóttir has taken on the role of Project Manager at Fab Lab Reykjavík. She will manage the daily operations of the lab and lead its multidisciplinary team. The appointment is part of strengthening the workshop's role in the Icelandic innovation environment, with an emphasis on early-stage prototype development and the continued development of STEM education.

Elín Birna holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on product development from Chalmers University of Technology. She has extensive experience in developing innovative solutions, especially in the field of health technology. Most recently at Nox Medical, where she worked on the development of devices for sleep research. There, she participated in the development and testing of prototypes, the publication of design and development documents, and the updating of user testing processes in accordance with FDA guidelines.

Previously, Elín Birna worked at Oticon Medical in Sweden on the development of bone-mounted hearing aids, and at Dentsply Sirona Implants on the design and development of dental screws. She has also worked at Volvo Powertrain, where she worked on CAD design of oil and cooling systems.

“It is unique to work in a place where ideas can take shape and become real solutions,” says Elín Birna. “Fab Lab Reykjavík plays an important role in sparking interest in technology, making technology accessible and supporting the first steps of innovation.”

“We are very happy to have Elín join Fab Lab Reykjavík,” says Þóra Óskarsdóttir, Director of Innovation at FB. “It is very exciting to have such an experienced player in the lab and it strengthens us significantly in shaping the workshop’s operations for the future.”

The Fab Labs are among the key innovation infrastructures in Iceland and operate according to the international quality standards of the Fab Foundation. In recent years, Fab Lab Reykjavík has supported dozens of innovation projects and plays an important role in the development of prototypes. The lab is a collaborative project between Fjölbrautaskólinn in Breiðholt, the City of Reykjavík, the Ministry of Education and Children's Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education.