Find Academic Supervisors

Tommi Mäklin is a researcher affiliated with the University of Helsinki, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of bioinformatics, microbiology, and genomic epidemiology. His work focuses on bacterial pathogen analysis, metagenomics, and the application of computational methods to study infectious diseases. Mäklin has contributed to high-impact studies on topics such as colibactin-producing Escherichia coli's link to cancer incidence, hospital-acquired infections during the pandemic, and enhanced metagenomic analysis tools like TRACS and Themisto. Key affiliations include visiting research positions at the University of Oslo (2024) and EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (2023–2023), where he received the Theory@EMBL Visitor fellowship. His research has been featured in prominent journals like Nature Communications and The Lancet Microbe , with findings highlighted in media such as Yle and HS. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided materials. Research Interests: Genomic epidemiology, bacterial pathogen transmission, metagenomics, antibiotic resistance, and computational methods for microbial analysis. His recent work explores geographical cancer incidence correlations with bacterial exposure, hospital pathogen surveillance, and scalable genomic tools for outbreak analysis. Awards include recognition for methodological advancements in bioinformatics and microbial genomics.

• Bioinformatics
• Genomic Epidemiology
• Metagenomics
• +3 more

Janne Heikkilä is a Professor at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Finland. With over 30 years of experience in computer vision and machine learning, he leads the Center for Machine Vision and Signal Analysis (CMVS) and has contributed extensively to both theoretical and applied research. Research Interests: 3D computer vision, biomedical image analysis, computational photography, and deep learning. Scientific Leadership: IAPR Fellow, Senior IEEE Member, and former President of the Pattern Recognition Society of Finland. His work spans computer vision, radiotherapy planning, and biomedical imaging, with over 200 publications and 14,000 citations. He has secured funding from prestigious organizations like the Academy of Finland and Business Finland. His recent research focuses on debiasing AI models, 6D object pose estimation, and radiotherapy dose prediction. Scientific Awards: IAPR Fellow Senior Member of IEEE

• 3D Computer Vision
• Algebraic Geometry
• Biomedical Image Analysis
• +5 more

Samuli Ripatti is a Professor of Biometry at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, and Director of the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM). He chairs the Research Council Finland’s Centre of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics and the EU H2020-funded Intervene Consortium. His research focuses on genetic variation in the Finnish population, particularly its effects on cardiometabolic diseases and cancers, with a strong emphasis on polygenic risk scores for disease prevention and early detection. His work spans Genetic risk prediction models Lipidomic and metabolomic profiling Gene-environment interactions Translational genomics Recent research highlights include 1099 plasma metabolite-disease causal analysis Genetic determinants of weight loss interventions Cardiovascular risk stratification tools Leukocyte lipid metabolism pathways He actively supervises doctoral programs in Integrative Life Science, Social Sciences, Clinical Research, and Population Health, and collaborates with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

• Genetics
• Biometry
• Public Health
• +7 more

Pouyan Rezapoor is a Doctoral Researcher affiliated with Aalto University's Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering. His research focuses on terahertz imaging systems, medical physics, and computational modeling for cancer treatment. Research areas: Terahertz imaging, MRI-guided radiotherapy, and electromagnetic wave propagation Key collaborations: Zachary Taylor Group, Dan Ruan, and international researchers in biomedical engineering Current work examines radiation toxicity prediction in prostate cancer patients and optical system design for THz imaging. Recent publications analyze telecentric lens systems, cross-polarization effects, and computational methods to address feature correlation in clinical data.

• Terahertz Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Computational Oncology
• +2 more

Sandra Reimann is a Professor of German Philology at the University of Oulu's Faculty of Humanities, leading the German Language and Culture department. She holds a habilitation in linguistic studies of online self-help communication and has held visiting professorships at institutions like Karl Franzens University in Graz. Her career includes roles at the University of Regensburg since 2001 and radio journalism since 1992. Her research focuses on applied linguistics, media communication, business communication (including advertising), and health communication. She investigates technical language in medicine/psychology, emotional linguistics, digital corpus analysis, and interdisciplinary communication challenges. Key projects include leading the Regensburg Advertising Research Archive and exploring sustainability messaging in cross-cultural contexts. Reimann's recent work examines gender language in job advertisements, sustainability communication strategies, and online health information quality. Her publications span 40+ years of advertising analysis, from historical radio spots to modern digital campaigns. She contributes to both academic conferences and practitioner-oriented research through the Regensburger Verbund für Werbeforschung network. Her professional service includes roles as spokesperson for the Regensburg Advertising Research Network and oversees the advertising archives. Though no formal awards are listed, her extensive research collaborations across European universities highlight her disciplinary influence. She actively bridges academic and corporate sectors through applied linguistic studies in branding, health communication, and technical language mediation.

• Applied Linguistics
• Media Communication
• Business Communication
• +9 more

Robin Ras is a Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, where he leads the Soft Matter and Wetting research group. His work focuses on surface science, particularly superhydrophobic and superoleophobic materials, with applications spanning renewable energy, biomedical engineering, and agricultural science. Ras earned his Master's degree in Engineering and Technology from Catholic University of Leuven in 1999, followed by a Doctoral degree from the same institution in 2003. His academic journey has positioned him as a leading researcher in wetting phenomena and nanoscale surface engineering. His research interests center on understanding and manipulating liquid-solid interactions at micro and nanoscales. Ras's work explores how surface topography and chemistry affect wetting behavior, with particular focus on superhydrophobic surfaces, droplet dynamics, and liquid-repellent materials. His group develops innovative approaches for creating surfaces with controlled wettability for applications ranging from self-cleaning materials to advanced biomedical devices. The research trends evident in Ras's recent publications show a strong focus on precision control of liquid-solid interfaces, with increasing attention to underwater applications, molecular-scale surface engineering, and biomimetic approaches. His work bridges fundamental surface science with practical applications in energy, healthcare, and sustainability. Among his notable scientific achievements: Anton Paar Research Award for Instrumental Analytics & Characterization (2018) for Scanning Droplet Adhesion Microscopy invention Academy of Finland Research Fellow (2011-2016) ERC Consolidator Grant (2017) Ras has secured significant research funding including the ERC Consolidator Grant for the SuperRepel project (2017-2022) focused on superslippery liquid-repellent surfaces, and the Academy of Finland project 'Electric Field; an Active Method to Control Phase Change' (2019-2022). His research group actively collaborates with international institutions and industry partners to translate fundamental discoveries into practical applications. The Soft Matter and Wetting research group under Ras's leadership combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate surface phenomena. The team utilizes advanced imaging techniques, precision surface fabrication methods, and computational modeling to understand and engineer surfaces with tailored wetting properties. Their work has applications across multiple sectors including renewable energy, biomedical devices, and sustainable agriculture.

• Superhydrophobic surfaces
• Wetting phenomena
• Droplet dynamics
• +7 more

Sami Äyrämö is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Information Technology , University of Jyväskylä. His research bridges machine learning and health science , focusing on innovative applications in biomechanics , medical imaging , and exercise physiology . Specializes in automated scoring systems for medical diagnostics Pioneer in domain-specific transfer learning for healthcare data Develops synthetic data for wellbeing sector innovation His work spans colorectal cancer tissue analysis , ACL injury risk modeling , and dementia detection from speech , with recent studies applying cluster analysis and deep learning to sports biomechanics challenges. Current projects include the WellbeingDataLab initiative for synthetic exercise data, and collaborations with the Computational Data Science Research Group on spectral imaging and health analytics.

• Computer Science
• Machine Learning
• Health Science
• +11 more

Arja Jukkola is a Professor at the University of Turku, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and conducting research in the fields of Oncology and Surgical Sciences . Her work spans breast cancer prognosis, tumor biology, and the role of microbiology and immunology in cancer progression and treatment responses.

• Breast Cancer
• Oncology
• Toll-like Receptors
• +5 more

Kari Alitalo is an Academy Professor and Research Director at HUS Radiology and Pathology, University of Helsinki. He serves as a Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science and the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine. Alitalo directs the CAN-PRO - Translational Cancer Medicine Program and has led the Cancer Biology Research Programme at the University of Helsinki since 1999. His research primarily focuses on blood and lymphatic vessel growth factors with applications in cancer treatment and cardiovascular diseases. Alitalo's work spans angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, molecular biology, and translational medicine. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding vascular endothelial growth factors and their therapeutic applications. Alitalo's publication record shows consistent productivity with approximately 670 research outputs. His recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates continued focus on lymphatic system biology, vascular growth factors, and their therapeutic applications in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The publications reveal a strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis, tumor angiogenesis, and potential therapeutic interventions. A.I. Virtanen Prize (2013) Biomedicum Helsinki lecture and Medal (2010) Eric K Fernström Foundation's Nordic Prize (2005) Finnish Science Prize (2013) Louis-Jeantet Prize For Medicine (2006) Professor Alitalo has supervised numerous doctoral students, with 52 dissertation supervisor or co-supervisor activities documented. He currently leads multiple active research projects including Cancer Foundation 2025/Alitalo, Biocenter Finland FIRI2023, and Juselius 2023-2026. His research group continues to explore vascular biology with significant implications for cancer treatment and cardiovascular medicine.

• Cancer Biology
• Angiogenesis
• Lymphangiogenesis
• +5 more

Dr. Eija Kalso is a Research Director at University of Helsinki's Clinicum and holds the title of Associate Professor . She supervises doctoral programs in Biomedicine, Clinical Research, and Drug Research, with a focus on pain management and neurobiology of disease . Key Research Areas : Chronic pain, circadian rhythm disruption in pain states, pharmacogenomics of analgesics, CRPS, and neuropathic pain mechanisms Recent Trends : 2025 publications emphasize circadian transcriptomics , opioid alternatives , and genotype-driven pain therapy Awards : Konrad ReijoWaara Prize (2007, 2007) Finnish Medical Association Best Textbook Award (2010) Academy of Finland Membership (2010) Arkkiatri Risto Pelkonen Award (2012) Active in European pain research networks , she leads projects like "Sleep and Stress in Pain Transitions" (Finnish Medical Association funding) and participates in international GLORIA consortium targeting glial-opioid receptor interfaces. Her 214+ activities include conference organizing and peer review roles.

• Biomedical Sciences
• Pain Research
• Chronic Pain Management
• +4 more

Jukka Alinikula is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Turku's Institute of Biomedicine, specifically within the Unit of Infection and Immunity. He also serves as a University Lecturer in immunology and drug development, and as the Education Director of the Immudocs program. His research focuses on somatic hypermutation mechanisms in B lymphocytes, exploring how antibody diversity is generated while avoiding oncogenic mutations. Alinikula completed his PhD at the University of Turku (Lassila Lab), followed by a postdoc at Yale University (Schatz Lab). Research Interests: Alinikula’s work investigates the targeting of somatic hypermutation to immunoglobulin genes versus proto-oncogenes. His lab uses modern techniques like reporter assays, CRISPR-based screens, and single-cell transcriptomics to dissect mutation enhancer functions. Key topics include genome stability, lymphoma etiology, and the interplay between antibody diversification and cancer risk. Teaching: He teaches immunology and immunopharmacology across bachelor’s, master’s, medical, and doctoral programs, emphasizing case-based learning and practical laboratory training. Supervised students include PhD candidates in immunology and drug development. Labs/Teams: Leads his own research group at the Institute of Biomedicine, collaborating extensively with international teams (e.g., Yale, Czech Academy of Sciences). Active in the InFLAMES Flagship initiative for immune system research.

• Immunology
• B lymphocytes
• Somatic hypermutation
• +4 more

Matilda Backholm is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, specializing in soft matter physics, fluid dynamics, and surface science. Her research focuses on fundamental interactions between liquids and structured surfaces, with applications in materials science and biophysics. Her primary research areas include soft matter mechanics, droplet dynamics on superhydrophobic surfaces, wetting phenomena across multiple scales, and the biophysics of cellular systems. She investigates how surface topography and chemical properties govern liquid behavior at micro/nanoscales, with particular emphasis on friction reduction, droplet mobility, and immune cell mechanics. Her work bridges experimental physics with practical applications in microfluidics, nanomedicine, and advanced materials. Analysis of her recent publications (2017-2025) reveals consistent focus on interfacial phenomena, with major themes including: superhydrophobic surface engineering, ferrofluid manipulation, viscosity effects in confined systems, and mechanical properties of biological aggregates. Her research demonstrates sophisticated experimental techniques combined with theoretical modeling to address fundamental questions in fluid-surface interactions. She has received significant recognition including: Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Grant (2017) Ruth and Nils-Erik Stenbäck Prize for career accomplishments (2017) Finnish Academy of Science and Letters Väisälä Starting Grant (2023) Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation grant (2023) Research Council of Finland Research Fellowship (2023) ERC Starting Grant (2023) Dr. Backholm leads the “Living, Fluid, & Soft Matter” research group and has secured substantial funding including multiple personal grants from Finnish national bodies and European competitive programs. Her collaborative work spans physics, materials science, and biomedical engineering, with publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Materials, PNAS, and Science Advances. Her laboratory develops advanced experimental platforms for studying liquid-solid interactions at micro/nanoscales, including custom micropipette force sensors and high-precision droplet manipulation systems. Current research directions integrate magnetic field control with soft matter systems and explore biological implications of surface physics.

• Soft Matter Physics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Surface Science
• +3 more

Lu Cheng is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Vehtari Aki Professorship. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences from the University of Helsinki (2013). His research focuses on computational genomics, bioinformatics, and microbial genetics, with emphasis on DNA sequence analysis, nanopore sequencing technologies, and systems biology. He leads projects on alternative splicing in cancer and the impact of microbiota on human health. Notable contributions include the NanoBaseLib benchmark dataset and methods for RNA modification analysis. His work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and innovations in data science. Education: Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences (2013), University of Helsinki; Doctoral degree in Natural Sciences (2013), University of Helsinki. Research Interests: Genomics, computational biology, microbial ecology, RNA sequencing technologies, and bioinformatics tool development. His projects explore bacterial population dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, and applications of machine learning in genomics. Advising: Supervises doctoral researchers including Guangzhao Cheng and Chengbo Fu. Active in grants such as the Academy of Finland Research Fellowship (2023-2025). Labs/Teams: Leads research groups focused on single-cell genomics and computational methods for biological systems.

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Microbial Genetics
• +3 more

Tapio Niemi is an Associate Professor (tenure track) in the Department of Physics at Aalto University. He holds a Doctor of Science (Technology) from the former Helsinki University of Technology (now part of Aalto University), awarded in 2002. His research focuses on nanophotonics, plasmonics, quantum dots, and semiconductor materials, with particular expertise in nanofabrication techniques such as block copolymer lithography and nanoimprint lithography. His work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through advancements in solar cell technology and environmental sensor development. Key research areas include the design of optical devices like microdisk lasers, guided-mode resonance gratings, and plasmonic sensors. He has pioneered studies on ZnO nanowire functionalization and nonlinear optical microscopy, with applications in biomedical imaging and environmental sensing. His interdisciplinary approach integrates nanotechnology, photonics, and materials science to address challenges in energy, health, and sustainability. Education: Doctor of Science (Technology), Helsinki University of Technology (2002) Supervision: Advised doctoral student Tommi Isoniemi on carbon nanotubes and graphene in plasmonics (2017–2021) Labs/Teams: Collaborations include the NanoScience Center (University of Jyväskylä) and Aalto’s nanophotonics research groups Recent work emphasizes high-Q resonators, Purcell-enhanced quantum dot light sources, and UV-curable polymer stamp lithography. His publications span journals like Advanced Optical Materials and Applied Physics Letters , with a focus on practical applications in photonics and nanotechnology.

• Nanophotonics
• Plasmonics
• Quantum Dots
• +5 more

Zachary Taylor is an Associate Professor at Aalto University's School of Electrical Engineering, specializing in terahertz science and biomedical engineering. His research focuses on advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques for medical diagnostics. Specialized in terahertz and microwave-optical systems Recipient of Aalto University Doctoral Thesis Award Active in IEEE Transactions and IRMMW-THz conferences His work spans innovative technologies like Gaussian beam analysis for corneal sensing, quasioptical calibration methods, and frequency diversity applications in holography. Recent publications highlight his contributions to radiation oncology predictive modeling and millimeter-wave measurement systems. Key research domains include: Terahertz biomedical imaging Microwave-optical component integration Computational electromagnetic modeling MRI-guided radiotherapy prediction Reflective optical system design Precision calibration techniques Scientific Recognition: Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering Doctoral Thesis Award Prof. Taylor leads the Zachary Taylor Group, advising multidisciplinary researchers across terahertz science, medical physics, and computational modeling. His team's recent work demonstrates cross-domain applications from corneal diagnostics to cancer treatment prediction.

• Terahertz Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• +3 more