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Päivi Eriksson is a Professor of Management at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Business School. She co-leads the Innovation Management research group and coordinates the MSCA Neuro-Innovation PhD Programme (2021-2026) and NOVEL Postdoctoral Programme (2024-2029). Her research focuses on innovation management, academic entrepreneurship, and collaborative research methodologies. She leads the Neuro-Innovation and Impact research team within UEF's neuroscience community (NEURO). Key projects include DATASLEEP (2021-2025), CO-RESEARCH (2022-2026), and Shadows in Paradise (2022-2032). Her work bridges academic research with societal impact through initiatives like the Auria Biobank commercialization. She has authored/co-authored over 150 publications in journals like Journal of Affective Disorders , Qualitative Health Research , and International Journal of Human Resources Development . Eriksson's awards include research council grants and contributions to Elgar's Encyclopedia of Innovation Management . She advises on academic entrepreneurship policies and collaborates with 30+ external partners in healthcare, tech, and industry sectors. Her teaching emphasizes innovation empathy and service design frameworks for customer-centric solutions.

• Innovation Management
• Academic Entrepreneurship
• Collaborative Research
• +4 more

Harri Lähdesmäki is an Associate Professor (tenured) at the Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, where he leads the Computational Systems Biology research group. His work focuses on probabilistic machine learning and deep generative models with applications in biomedicine and molecular biology. Key Research Interests: Probabilistic machine learning, deep generative models, computational biology, bioinformatics, longitudinal data modeling Contact: harri.lahdesmaki@aalto.fi | Konemiehentie 2, 02150 Espoo, Finland His recent publications highlight advancements in: Gaussian process priors for scalable deep generative models Single-cell analysis of immune repertoires in leukemia and diabetes Probabilistic deconvolution methods for RNA-seq data Epigenetic analysis using hidden Markov and mixed models Transformer-based survival prediction and missing data handling Harri’s work integrates mechanistic modeling with Bayesian inference, particularly applied to immunology, cancer biology, and early disease prediction.

• Probabilistic Machine Learning
• Deep Generative Models
• Artificial Intelligence
• +4 more

Nonappa Nonappa is an Associate Professor (tenure track) in Nanochemistry at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences since 2020. With a multidisciplinary background spanning organic chemistry, supramolecular systems, nanoparticle self-assembly, and advanced electron microscopy, he leads research at the intersection of materials science and biomedical applications. PhD in Organic Chemistry (IISc Bangalore, 2008) Docent in Soft Matter Microscopy (Aalto University, 2017) Executive MBA (Quantic School, 2020) Research focuses on bio-based optical materials using nanocellulose for sustainable photonics, breast cancer models via lab-on-a-chip systems, and precision nanomaterials through tailored self-assembly mechanisms. His team develops 3D extracellular matrices for cancer tissue culture and plasmonic nanodevices for photonic applications. Recent publications highlight gold/silver nanocluster assemblies (43+ citations in 2021-2025), electron tomography for structural analysis, and metastasis modeling systems. Key awards include Italy's Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (2018) and Aalto University's Docent title (2017).

• Nanochemistry
• Material Chemistry
• Biobased Optics and Photonics
• +7 more

Teemu Roos is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science , University of Helsinki , and a Principal Investigator for the Complex Systems Computation Group under the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology. He serves as a Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Computer Science and leads multiple research initiatives, including Distributed AI in Supercomputing , AI & Kids , and Generation AI . Dr. Roos also holds a Docent title in Computer Science. His research spans Artificial Intelligence , Machine Learning , and Data Science , with a focus on AI education , graph neural networks , Bayesian modeling , and health informatics . He has pioneered tools like Elements of AI , a free online course now translated into 22 EU languages, and explores the ethical implications of AI-generated content in authorship and inventorship. The 15 most recent publications highlight applications in environmental forecasting (e.g., Mediterranean Sea via graph-based deep learning), healthcare (e.g., skin cancer detection with transfer learning), and social media analysis (e.g., explainable AI platforms for K-12 education). Methodologically, his work advances clustering algorithms , dimensionality reduction , and approximate nearest neighbor search . Scientific Awards: Cor Baayen Award (2009) Nokia Foundation Recognition Award (2019) Best Paper Honorable Mention Award (2013) ICT Influencer of the Year 2019 (Vuoden TiVi-vaikuttaja 2019) World Summit AI's Top-50 Innovators in 2020 Dr. Roos has supervised 2 doctoral students and contributed to 163 academic activities , including invited talks at MIT, University of Cambridge, and the Finnish Institute in Rome. He has secured funding from the Academy of Finland and the Strategic Research Council, focusing on projects like Fast AI-assisted Space Environment Prediction and Urban Exerciser .

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• +6 more

Senior Lecturer Outi Salo-Ahen is affiliated with Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering , Department of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on computational pharmacology, drug design, and pharmaceutical chemistry, particularly targeting chemokine receptors (CCR5/CXCR4) and transient receptor potential channels (TRPA1) for therapeutic applications. Doctor of Pharmacy (2006, University of Kuopio/UEF) MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (2001, UEF) BSc in Pharmacy (1999, UEF) University Pedagogy Modules 1-5 (2012-2015) Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through education and pharmaceutical innovation . Recent research trends include: Antimicrobial resistance solutions TRPA1 channel modulation Nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery Multi-target HIV-1 inhibitors 3D printing of biocompatible materials Computational analysis of nucleic acid frameworks She actively supervises doctoral projects, serves on assessment panels, and leads collaborations like Nordic Pharmaceutical Translation and Innovation. Her 60+ publications demonstrate expertise in molecular modeling and drug discovery.

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Molecular Modeling
• Drug Design
• +5 more

Ari Ristimäki is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Clinicum, University of Helsinki, specializing in gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. He serves as a Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine and maintains strong connections with HUS Radiology and Pathology. His research spans fundamental cancer biology to clinical applications, particularly in colorectal cancer and related gastrointestinal malignancies. Professor Ristimäki's research interests focus on gastrointestinal tumorigenesis, with particular emphasis on colorectal cancer mechanisms, molecular pathways, and clinical applications. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, investigating the molecular underpinnings of gastrointestinal cancers while developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. His research portfolio includes studies on tumor biomarkers, cancer metabolism, epigenetic modifications, and translational applications for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on colorectal cancer research, with particular attention to molecular characterization of BRAF-mutated tumors, liquid biopsy technologies for mutation profiling, and population-based studies of surgical outcomes in gastrointestinal cancer patients. His work shows consistent productivity with 311 publications to date, reflecting sustained research activity since the early 2000s. Professor Ristimäki has supervised doctoral theses, serving as both supervisor and opponent for PhD candidates. His academic service includes manuscript reviewing, committee memberships, and editorial work. His current research is supported by multiple active projects from prestigious funding bodies including the Academy of Finland (SA_2024-2028), Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, Cancer Foundation, and Liv och Hälsa Foundation, indicating strong recognition of his research program's significance and potential impact.

• Cancer Research
• Gastrointestinal Tumorigenesis
• Colorectal Cancer
• +3 more

Jessica Rosenholm is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy at Åbo Akademi University. Her research focuses on drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and biomaterials engineering. She holds a D.Sc.(Tech.) and has authored over 200 publications. Key research areas include mesoporous silica nanoparticles, 3D bioprinting, and antimicrobial resistance solutions. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing health technologies. Notable achievements include the Akzo Nobel Nordic Research Prize 2009 and the Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2022). She leads projects like the MADNESS Centre of Excellence, exploring materials-driven solutions against antimicrobial resistance. Education: Doctor of Science (Technology) Research Interests: Nanoformulations, biomedical imaging, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. Recent articles highlight innovations in programmable nanocomposites for hearing loss treatment, microfluidic assembly of nanostructures, and 3D printing of drug delivery systems. Awards: ÅAU Chancellor’s Prize (2013), Forskarpriset ur Harry Elvings legat (2009) Grants: Projects funded by EU, Finnish Research Council, and Sigrid Jusélius Foundation. Labs/Teams: BioNanoMaterials group explores cutting-edge technologies like nanomedical agents and microfluidics. Current projects include the NAP4DIVE initiative for blood-brain barrier drug delivery.

• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanomedicine
• Biomaterials Engineering
• +6 more

Marjo Yliperttula is a Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. She serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Programmes in Biomedicine, Drug Research, and Materials Research and Nanosciences, with expertise in biomaterials and pharmaceutical technology. Her research focuses on nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels for wound healing and drug delivery, extracellular vesicle (EV) engineering for therapeutic applications, and freeze-drying technologies for biomaterial preservation. Key contributions include NFC-based wound dressings that enhance platelet-rich plasma release (2024), Raman spectroscopy methods for monitoring freeze-drying-induced mutarotation (2024), and tandem chromatography techniques for high-purity EV isolation (2023). Her work bridges pharmaceutical sciences with regenerative medicine, emphasizing translational applications in chronic wound treatment and targeted drug delivery. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Optimization of NFC hydrogels for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration, (2) Advanced characterization of EV phenotypes under hypoxic conditions for improved therapeutic efficacy, and (3) Development of analytical methods (Raman spectroscopy, chromatography) to address manufacturing challenges in biopharmaceuticals. These themes reflect her group's commitment to solving critical problems in biomaterial stability, EV-based delivery, and precision wound care. Professor Yliperttula has supervised 10 doctoral theses, including recent work on NFC for skin substitutes (Elle Koivunotko), freeze-drying of hydrogels (Arto Merivaara), and mesenchymal stromal cells for wound healing (Jasmi Snirvi). She currently leads the Academy of Finland-funded GeneCellNa project (2024-2026) on gene/cell/nanotherapy for chronic diseases and a Finnish Red Cross project (2023-2024) on NFC for blood products, with cumulative project funding spanning 18 initiatives since 2005. She heads the Biopharmaceuticals Group within the Drug Research Program, fostering collaborations across pharmaceutical biosciences, materials science, and clinical medicine to advance next-generation therapeutic platforms.

• Biomaterials
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery
• +5 more

Antti Poso is a Professor of Drug Design at the University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio), affiliated with the School of Pharmacy under the Faculty of Health Sciences. His research focuses on computer-aided molecular design, particularly targeting anti-cancer drugs and anti-microbials. Key projects include the EDCMET project (2019–2024) and the GeneCellNano Flagship (2020–2028). He leads the Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Research Group, specializing in QSAR analysis, kinase inhibition profiling, and systems-level drug response modeling. Recent work includes studies on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, endocrine disruptors, and bacterial pathogenesis. His findings bridge chemical structure with biological outcomes, leveraging computational tools like CCA and molecular dynamics simulations. Collaborations span medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and systems biology, contributing to both academic and applied drug discovery efforts. Education: Not explicitly stated in texts; assumed to hold advanced degrees in pharmacy or chemistry. Research Themes: Drug design, molecular modeling, QSAR, computational biology, and anti-infective agents. Key Contributions: Over 150+ publications, including influential works on chemoinformatics-driven drug response analysis and structure-based inhibitor design. Publications highlight advancements in kinase inhibitors, anti-microbial strategies, and viral hijacking mechanisms. His work emphasizes translating computational insights into therapeutic solutions for cancer, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.

• Drug Design
• Molecular Modeling
• Anti-Cancer Drugs
• +3 more

Jouni Hirvonen is a Professor in the Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Pharmacy. He serves as Supervisor for doctoral programmes in both the Doctoral Programme in Drug Research and the Doctoral Programme in Materials Research and Nanosciences. With an extensive publication record spanning over three decades, Hirvonen has contributed 384 research outputs and participated in 3 major research projects. His research interests focus on pharmaceutical technology, particularly in drug delivery systems, nanoparticles, and drug dissolution and absorption. His work bridges pharmaceutical chemistry with cutting-edge nanotechnology applications, developing innovative delivery systems for therapeutic agents. His research spans from fundamental pharmaceutical sciences to translational applications in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and cardiovascular pharmacology. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced drug delivery platforms, particularly utilizing nanoparticles, lipid-based systems, and biomaterials for targeted delivery. His work increasingly integrates microfluidic technology for precise nanoparticle preparation, with applications spanning cancer immunotherapy, cardiovascular repair, tendon regeneration, and inflammatory disease treatment. The trend shows a growing emphasis on combination therapies, RNA delivery, and cell-mediated drug delivery approaches. Hirvonen has received several prestigious awards throughout his career: CRS/Eurand Grand Prize Award on Innovations in Oral Drug Delivery Technologies (2007) Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun Ritarikunnan I luokan ritarimerkki (2013) The Young Scientist in the University of Kuopio (1993) University of Helsinki Quality Teaching Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy (2005) Visiting Professor award (2015) With 25 instances of supervising doctoral theses and numerous academic activities including conference organization, committee memberships, and editorial work, Hirvonen has made significant contributions to academic mentorship and institutional development. His research has been supported by projects including Generation Green, 3i REGENERATION, and IVIVRe. His work appears to involve collaboration with multiple research teams focusing on drug delivery applications across various therapeutic areas.

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery
• Nanoparticles
• +4 more

Elina Vuorimaa-Laukkanen is a University Lecturer at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, and a Docent in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Pharmacy. She leads the research team Supramolecular Chemistry of Bio- and Nanomaterials , focusing on light-driven studies of biological processes, solid-phase behavior, and drug release activation. Her work spans multidisciplinary collaboration with chemists, pharmacists, biologists, and physicists. Education : Doctor of Philosophy (Technology), Tampere University, 1994 Licentiate of Philosophy (Chemistry), University of Helsinki, 1993 Research Interests : Her expertise includes Photochemistry and Nanotechnology of self-assembling materials (phospholipids, polymers, proteins, oligo/polynucleotides), Time-resolved Spectroscopy , Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy , and Langmuir-Blodgett Films . She develops methods to track drug nanocarriers interacting with living cells and investigates Extracellular Vesicles for theranostic platforms. Recent Publications highlight advancements in Chitosan-hyaluronate polyplexes for oligonucleotide delivery, Fluorescence Anisotropy for nanocarrier analysis, and Self-assembly of copoly(2-oxazoline)s for drug encapsulation. Collaborations : She works within Tampere University's Chemistry & Advanced Materials Research Cluster , PREIN Photonics Flagship, GeneCellNano, and the EVE Extracellular Vesicle Ecosystem projects. Teaching : Responsible for Physical Chemistry and Lab Safety courses in the chemistry curriculum.

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photochemistry
• +6 more

Jouko Peltonen is a Professor in Chemistry at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Molecular Science and Technology, focusing on sustainable material development and biomedical applications. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals through green chemistry innovations. Ph.D. in Chemistry (Åbo Akademi, 1994) Licentiate in Chemistry (Åbo Akademi, 1992) Master's in Chemistry (University of Helsinki, 1988) Peltonen's research spans materials science , polymer chemistry , and sustainable technology , with emphasis on nanocellulose composites , antibacterial materials , and bio-based packaging . Recent projects explore biofilm modeling and lignin valorization. His publications (216 total) demonstrate interdisciplinary impact across biomedical engineering , environmental science , and chemical manufacturing . Key collaborations include NordForsk-funded initiatives and EU projects like PACKER 2020. Research grants include: Printed Intelligence Infrastructure (Academy of Finland, 2024-2028) Nordic POP (NordForsk, 2018-2025) ABC-Health (Jane och Aatos Erkkos Foundation, 2021-2024)

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Sustainable Technology
• +3 more

Professor Hongbo Zhang is a leading academic at Åbo Akademi University , affiliated with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering and the InFLAMES (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) flagship program. With over 227 publications and 21 active/completed projects since 2006, his research spans Functional Materials , Drug Delivery , and Clinical Translation . Research Interests: His work focuses on Engineering nanostructures for blood-brain barrier penetration Microfluidics-enabled biomedical devices Antimicrobial resistance solutions Cellulose-based sustainable materials Mitochondrial delivery systems Theranostic hydrogels Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2024) MDPI Pharmaceutics Young Investigator (2020) Chinese Orthopedic Association 1st Prize (2019) Best Oral Drug Formulation (Control Release Society, 2014) 10 Leading Chinese Talents in Europe (2023) Collaborative Network: Actively hosts international researchers and contributes to EU/Nordic-funded projects like NAP4DIVE and Printed Intelligence Infrastructure . His recent publications demonstrate expertise in nanomedicine, biocomposites, and lignin valorization.

• Functional Materials
• Drug Delivery
• Biomedical Engineering
• +4 more

Sampsa Hautaniemi is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Systems Biology of Drug Resistance in Cancer research group and holds docentship in the Faculty of Medicine. Professor Hautaniemi actively supervises doctoral students across multiple programs including the Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, and Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science. His research focuses on systems biology approaches to understand drug resistance mechanisms in cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. His work integrates computational biology, genomics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics to develop precision medicine approaches for cancer treatment. His laboratory develops innovative computational methods and experimental models including patient-derived organoids to study tumor evolution, identify therapeutic targets, and predict treatment responses. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution during therapy, and the development of computational tools for cancer genomics. His work spans multiple disciplines including cancer biology, computational biology, immunology, and precision medicine, with a particular focus on high-grade serous ovarian cancer as a model system. Scientific Awards: The Anders Jahre Medical Prize to young medical scientists (2014) for outstanding research on systems biology and cancer The Finnish Medical Foundation 50-years jubileum award (2010) Professor Hautaniemi has supervised numerous doctoral students and early-career researchers, contributing significantly to cancer research education. His research is supported by multiple active projects including the DECIDER project (Clinical Decision via Integrating Multiple Data Levels to Overcome Chemotherapy Resistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer) funded until 2026, as well as projects from the Academy of Finland, Cancer Foundation, and industry partners like Orion Corporation. His laboratory maintains a patient-derived organoid biobank for high-grade serous ovarian cancer and develops computational tools like Jellyfish for visualizing tumor evolution.

• Systems Biology
• Cancer Research
• Drug Resistance
• +7 more

Kari Vaahtomeri is a University Researcher at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program and the CAN-PRO Translational Cancer Medicine Program. He serves as a Cellular Communication Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science, focusing on lymphatic biology, immune cell migration, and tumor-endothelial interactions. Research Programs: Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, CAN-PRO Translational Cancer Medicine Supervision: Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science His research explores the lymphatic system's role in cancer metastasis, immune cell transmigration, and vascular network development. Key areas include chemokine signaling, endothelial cell dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms of antigen presentation in tumors. Recent publications highlight his work on lymphatic endothelial multicellular junctions, melanoma-lymphatic crosstalk, and AMPK signaling in lung cancer immune evasion. His projects span from 2017 to 2027, funded by the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation and the Academy of Finland. Key Collaborations: IST Austria, international lymphatic research networks Activities: Oral presentations at conferences, academic visits to research institutions

• Genetics
• Developmental Biology
• Physiology
• +8 more