Find Academic Supervisors

David N. Thomas is a Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research and Director of the International Masters Programme for Environmental Change and Global Sustainability at the University of Helsinki. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, working within the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. Dr. Thomas is a distinguished Marine-Arctic-Antarctic-Climate Biologist with extensive expertise in sea ice research, polar ecosystems, and climate change impacts. His research focuses on the biogeochemical processes within sea ice, carbon cycling in polar regions, and the ecological implications of a changing Arctic Ocean. He has made significant contributions to understanding how sea ice ecosystems function and respond to environmental change, with particular attention to microbial communities, nutrient dynamics, and carbon fluxes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the changing Arctic Ocean ecosystem, carbon and microbial dynamics in thawing permafrost landscapes, and sea ice biogeochemistry. Dr. Thomas has also contributed to important policy documents such as the PAME Synthesis Report on Ecosystem Status in the Central Arctic Ocean, bridging the gap between scientific research and environmental management. Professor Thomas has recently published the 4th Edition of "Sea Ice: Its Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Societal Importance," which represents a comprehensive update to this seminal work in polar science. His research spans both Arctic and Antarctic environments, examining how these critical polar regions are responding to global environmental change.

• Arctic Ecosystem Research
• Sea Ice Studies
• Climate Change
• +4 more

Miriam Tedeschi serves as a Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Turku, and holds a docentship in Human Geography at the Department of Geography and Geology. She leads the Research Council of Finland-funded project 'Justice in Digital Spaces' (JuDiCe, 2022-2025) and maintains a fellowship at the Westminster Law & Theory Lab, London. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Regional Planning and Public Policies (University Institute of Architecture, Venice, 2017), an MA in Philosophy, and a BSc in Digital Communication. Prior to doctoral studies, she accumulated 15 years of professional experience as an ICT research consultant. Tedeschi's scholarship merges non-representational theories and new materialism to interrogate spatio-legal dynamics across segregated spaces, migratory contexts, natural environments, and digital-physical hybrids. Her work pioneers digital spatial justice frameworks, critically examining how datafication reshapes urban equity through empirical ethnography and theoretical innovation. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals a decisive pivot toward computational justice, where legal geography intersects with AI ethics, urban informatics, and posthuman jurisprudence. These works collectively forge transdisciplinary pathways for reimagining justice in algorithmically mediated spaces. Her scientific recognition includes: Westminster Law & Theory Lab Fellowship As an educator, Tedeschi directs 'Law and the Urban' (2022-present) and co-teaches 'Systemschange.now' (2020-2024). Her JuDiCe project exemplifies major grant leadership, integrating spatial theory with digital rights advocacy through Finland's premier research funding mechanism. She co-founded the 'Law, Space and Justice' research environment at Turku's Faculty of Law, catalyzing cross-institutional collaboration on justice-oriented spatial interventions.

• Spatial Justice
• Data Justice
• Urban Geography
• +3 more

Annakaisa Korja serves as Head of Department and Research Director at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, while also holding a Docent title in Tectonics. She is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and supervises the Doctoral Programme in Geosciences. Her leadership extends to multiple major research initiatives including EPOS Finland, where she serves as Principal Investigator. Her educational background includes a Docent qualification in Tectonics from the University of Helsinki (2003) and a Specialist qualification in Management from Liikemiesten kauppaopisto (2010). Prior to her current position, she held research roles at the Geological Survey of Finland, Geological Survey of Canada, and Geological Survey of Sweden. Korja's research centers on geophysics and seismology, with particular expertise in seismic hazard analysis, induced seismicity related to geothermal energy, tectonic evolution of the Fennoscandian Shield, and deep crustal structures. Her work bridges fundamental Earth science with practical applications in energy development and risk management, especially regarding nuclear power plant safety and urban geothermal projects. Her recent publications reveal strong trends in seismic hazard modeling for Northern Europe, moment tensor analysis of induced earthquakes, and the tectonic evolution of Precambrian terrains. She has led significant updates to the Fennoscandian earthquake catalogue and developed 3D velocity models for the Helsinki region. Suomen Leijonan 1. luokan Ritarimerkki SL R1 (Order of the Lion of Finland, First Class) - 2021 As supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Geosciences and direct thesis advisor (including Tino Mellin's 2022 Bachelor's thesis), Korja mentors the next generation of Earth scientists. Her extensive grant portfolio includes EPOS Finland (Research Council of Finland infrastructure project), ELY-keskuksen tuki (Ministry funding until 2030), and multiple international collaborations. She actively serves on the Research Council of Finland Scientific Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering (2025-2027). Korja manages the Institute of Seismology's EPOS Finland coordination office and leads the OBF seismic network. Her research group collaborates extensively across Nordic countries and Europe, particularly on seismic hazard assessment projects involving nuclear facilities and urban geothermal development.

• Geophysics
• Seismology
• Tectonics
• +2 more

Margaret Williamson is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, based at Tvärminne Zoological Station. Her work focuses on carbon cycling in Phragmites australis across coastal archipelago reed belts, integrating fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and advanced ecological data processing via ArcGIS and GPS technologies. Education: Ph.D. candidate in Natural Sciences – Littoral Ecology (University of Helsinki, 2023-Present) Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Design Practices (Philadelphia University, 2014-2015) M.S. in Forest Resources – Hillslope Hydrology (University of Georgia, 2009-2011) B.S. in Natural Resources Ecology and Management – Conservation Biology (Louisiana State University, 2004-2008) Research Interests: Specializing in coastal ecosystems, her research spans biogeochemistry, hydrology, and climate change mitigation through plant-based carbon sequestration. She investigates wetland dynamics, particularly in Phragmites australis and Spartina species, combining field data with GIS modeling. Publications: Her work includes recent studies on coastal reed ecosystems (2024-2025), earlier research on Spartina alterniflora biogeochemistry (2014), and foundational hydrology studies (2010-2012). Collectively, her publications reveal a trajectory of advancing wetland carbon cycle understanding through multi-species and multi-scale hydrological analyses. Funding & Awards: Nottbeck Foundation Grant (2023-2028) for carbon cycling research LSU Academic Scholarship during undergraduate studies Professional Activities: Active in academic engagement, she presented at the EGU General Assembly (2024), delivered invited talks on Baltic Sea reed ecosystems (2024), and participated in fisheries impact workshops (2023). Her current project, WANS palkat, explores coastal carbon dynamics through multidisciplinary collaboration.

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Littoral Ecology
• +6 more

Xiaoshu Lu serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Aalto University's School of Engineering, Finland. His primary contact is xiaoshu.lu@aalto.fi with phone number +358503503021, and his research profile is accessible via Aalto University's research portal. His research spans CO2 sequestration, rock mechanics, and sustainable construction, with emphasis on enhanced rock weathering for carbon capture, diamond bit fragmentation mechanisms, and biomass-to-energy systems. Interdisciplinary work includes agricultural engineering applications in plant disease detection and transportation engineering for traffic flow forecasting using graph neural networks. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal dominant themes in geological CO2 storage and rock mechanics, featuring experimental studies and comprehensive reviews. While most work focuses on environmental/geotechnical civil engineering, select publications demonstrate cross-disciplinary reach into computer vision and transportation systems. Key accolades include: Napier Shaw Bronze medal (2006) Best 2012 Research Paper Competition from Aalto University School of Engineering (2013) Second prize in China's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents (2017) Honourable Tang Aoqing Professorship at Jilin University, China (2013-present) No details regarding graduate student supervision or research grants appear in the source material. He contributes to the 'Performance in Building Design and Construction' research group at Aalto University.

• CO2 Sequestration
• Rock Mechanics
• Geotechnical Engineering
• +3 more

Linnea Blåfield is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Turku, Finland, specializing in high-latitude river systems and hydroclimatic impacts on fluvial processes. Her work bridges geomorphology, hydrology, and environmental engineering to address climate-driven river dynamics. Her research focuses on fluvial geomorphology in cold regions, examining sediment transport under ice-covered conditions, river migration mechanisms, and seasonal hydroclimatic variations. Key methodologies include particle image velocimetry, hydrological modeling, and geospatial analysis to study sediment connectivity, channel evolution, and river-ice interactions in boreal and subarctic environments. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal consistent themes: digital twin development for river basin management, long-term morphodynamic responses to climate shifts, and sediment dynamics in ice-affected rivers. These works emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration across Nordic institutions and practical applications for river management and climate adaptation. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Information regarding advised students or secured research grants was not present in the source text. Dr. Blåfield collaborates extensively with researchers from the University of Oulu (Petteri Alho, Elina Kasvi), Finnish Environment Institute, and Baltic Sea research teams, focusing on field data collection and modeling of Nordic river systems.

• Fluvial Geomorphology
• Cold Region Hydrology
• Sediment Transport
• +3 more

Dr. Wojciech Solowski is an Associate Professor at Aalto University , specializing in computational simulations of soils and granular materials with a focus on numerical methods and constitutive modeling. His research spans geotechnical engineering, environmental geomechanics, and computational mechanics. Research Interests : Numerical modeling (FEM/MPM), THMC behavior of soils, unsaturated soil mechanics, soil improvement, frost susceptibility, ground vibrations, and laboratory testing. Scientific Contributions : Dr. Solowski has extensively advanced the Material Point Method (MPM) for large deformation problems in geotechnics and developed the in-house finite element code Thebes for THMC coupling simulations. His work addresses critical challenges in nuclear waste repositories, soft soil stabilization, and offshore sediment characterization. Publication Trends : Recent articles focus on MPM for marine clay analysis, THMC coupling in bentonite barriers, 3D shrinkage deformation measurements, and geophysical-geotechnical integration for offshore wind farms. His research emphasizes practical applications in energy transition and infrastructure resilience. Affiliations : Mineral Based Materials and Mechanics research group at Aalto University. Committee Roles : International Secretary of the Finnish Geotechnical Society; member of ISSMGE TC106 (unsaturated soils) and ERTC7 (numerical methods).

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Computational Geomechanics
• Numerical Modeling of Soils
• +7 more

Christoph Beier is a Professor of geochemistry at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science, Department of Geosciences and Geography. He serves as Head of Helsinki mineralogical and environmental laboratories (HelLabs), Head of laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory, and Director of the research programme in geology and geophysics. His primary research focuses on: Igneous trace element and isotope geochemistry and petrology Geochemistry of the short-lived U-series decay chains Spatial and temporal evolution of magmatic systems Geology and Petrology of marine igneous systems Professor Beier teaches Elemental geochemistry (BSc), isotope geochemistry (MSc) and microanalytical methods (MSc). His extensive publication record demonstrates expertise across multiple subfields of geochemistry and petrology, with particular emphasis on magmatic processes, volcanic systems, and mineral exploration. His work spans diverse geographical locations including Iceland, the Azores, the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge, Greece, China, and Finland. He currently leads several major international research projects: FluxBEATS MSCA DN (2024-2028): Fluxes at divergent plate Boundary Environments Analyzed in Time and Space Machine learning approaches for IOCG (2023-2026) SA FIRI Finnish Thermal Ionisation (2023-2025) Fingerprinting the origin and ascent of magmas through the crust in rift zones (2021-2025) Professor Beier actively supervises numerous doctoral students across various research topics including the metasomatic evolution of the Suomenniemi complex, machine learning approaches for IOCG-style Fe-Cu-Au deposits, and the geochemical and petrological variability of the Fjallgarðar volcanic ridge. He serves on the IODP Scientific Evaluation Panel and is a member of the ESSAC committee. He directs the Helsinki Geoscience Laboratories (Hellabs) and manages the Geofluids Laboratory and Laser ablation ICP-MS laboratory, providing critical research infrastructure for geochemical analysis.

• Geochemistry
• Petrology
• Igneous rocks
• +7 more

Minna Väliranta is a University Researcher at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, where she also serves as Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences. She is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and leads the Environmental Change Research Unit (ECRU). With over two decades of research experience, she has established herself as a leading expert in paleoecology and peatland studies. Her educational background includes: Doctor of Philosophy (2005), Department of Geology, University of Helsinki University Pedagogy course (10 ECTS credits, 2008) Docent (Adjunct Professor) in Palaeobotany (2009), Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki Dr. Väliranta is a renowned palaeoecologist specializing in reconstructing past environmental changes from lake and peat sediment archives, with particular expertise in the plant macrofossil method. Her research focuses on long-term environmental change, Arctic peatlands, palaeobotany, and palaeoclimatology. She investigates ecosystem responses to climate change and associated biogeochemical feedback mechanisms, operating under the guiding principle that "Past is the key to understanding the future." Her work has significant implications for understanding climate change impacts on northern ecosystems. Her extensive publication record shows consistent research output focused on peatland dynamics, carbon cycling, and climate change impacts. Recent work emphasizes Arctic peatland responses to warming, regime shifts in subarctic ecosystems, and the relationship between hydrological changes and carbon accumulation. Her research combines field studies with advanced analytical techniques to understand both historical patterns and future trajectories of environmental change. Dr. Väliranta has coordinated numerous research projects, including multiple Academy of Finland-funded initiatives. She established her Palaeopeatland research group in 2010 and currently coordinates two major Arctic palaeopeatland projects. Her leadership extends to supervision of doctoral students and extensive peer review activities for major journals in her field. She maintains an active research group and collaborates extensively with scientists worldwide, building a broad network of interdisciplinary colleagues. Her work is disseminated widely through various media channels, reflecting her commitment to public engagement and science communication.

• Palaeoecology
• Environmental Change
• Peatlands
• +5 more

Asko Simojoki is a Senior University Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Helsinki. His primary research focuses on environmental soil science, particularly Sphagnum moss as a growing medium, soil-atmosphere interactions, and sustainable agricultural practices. He actively supervises the doctoral programme in Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources. Key research areas include agronomy, greenhouse gas emissions, soil management, and acid sulphate soils. Collaborations span international projects like Leg4Life and Green Nitrogen Transition, emphasizing sustainable food systems and climate mitigation. He has led or participated in 25+ projects since 2007, including long-term studies on biochar in boreal agriculture (2013–2027) and legume-based solutions for food systems (Leg4Life, 2019–2025). Recent activities include supervising doctoral and MSc theses, peer-review work for journals like Soil & Tillage Research , and editorial roles at Agricultural and Food Science . His work integrates experimental agriculture, environmental monitoring, and interdisciplinary approaches to address global challenges in soil health and sustainable farming.

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Environmental Soil Science
• +6 more

Satu-Pia Reinikainen is a tenured Professor in Computational Engineering at the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) School of Engineering Sciences . With expertise in chemometrics and multivariate analysis, her work bridges statistical modeling, spectroscopy, and environmental monitoring. Research Focus Development of advanced kernel-based methods for process control Application of hyperspectral imaging in material and environmental analysis Microplastic pollution dynamics in aquatic systems Integration of spectroscopic techniques for real-time monitoring Conservation of geological and heritage materials through data-driven approaches Her research combines chemometric algorithms, environmental data analysis, and industrial process monitoring to solve complex analytical challenges.

• Multivariate Statistical Analysis
• Process Control
• Spectroscopy
• +3 more

Milla Annika Aaltonen is a Doctoral Researcher and Visiting Researcher affiliated with the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki. Her work focuses on geochemical and petrological analysis of mafic-ultramafic rocks, particularly flood basalts and chromite deposits. Education: Master of Philosophy in Geology Research Trends: Her publications and projects emphasize trace element distribution, mineral chemistry, and crustal contamination processes in igneous systems. She utilizes zoned plagioclase and chromite geochemistry as tracers for mantle dynamics and magma evolution. Projects: Currently participating in the Chromite: The trace element and PGE elemental distribution project since 2020, analyzing mineral chemical tracers in mafic-ultramafic lithologies.

• Geology
• Geochemistry
• Igneous Petrology
• +3 more

Olav Eklund is a Professor at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering , Department of Geology and Mineralogy Technologies. His work focuses on geological processes in the Fennoscandian Shield, particularly magmatism, petrology, and mineral resource exploration. Research Areas : Magmatism, Migmatite Formation, Leucogranite Petrology, Graphite Ore Exploration, Post-orogenic Tectonics, Geochronology Projects : FennoFlakes (2015-2020) - Identification of flake-graphite ores and graphene applications Collaborations : Active in international geological research networks, with recent collaborations on Paleoproterozoic magmatism in Finland His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable mineral resource utilization. Publications emphasize geochemical analysis, zircon dating, and metamorphic processes in Finland's bedrock formations.

• Geology
• Mineralogy
• Sustainable Development
• +5 more

Tom Jilbert is Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki, leading research in aquatic biogeochemistry and marine environmental change. Research Focus His work examines hypoxia, trace metal cycling, and anthropogenic impacts in Baltic Sea ecosystems using sedimentary records. Current projects include digitizing carbon sink potential in boreal lakes and analyzing coastal environmental resilience. Publications His recent articles establish long-term environmental baselines for Baltic Sea ecosystems, documenting unprecedented 20th-century deoxygenation and anthropogenic impacts over millennium timescales. Honors Frontiers Planet Prize 2023 National Champion of Finland Research Leadership Jilbert directs projects on sedimentary trace metals as hypoxia archives and leads the Marine Ecosystems Research Group at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science.

• Environmental Geochemistry
• Marine Ecosystems
• Aquatic Biogeochemistry
• +2 more

Päivi Oinas is an Adjunct Professor and University Lecturer in Geography at the University of Turku's Department of Geography and Geology. Her research focuses on innovation districts, spatial innovation systems, and corporate geography. She has held roles including Research Director at the Department of Geography (2019-2020), Guest Lecturer at the University of Cologne, and Visiting Scholar at Technical University of Berlin. She earned a Doctor of Science in Economics and has been a Docent at Aalto University School of Business and Turku School of Economics. Education: Dr.Sc.(Econ.), Lic.Sc.(Econ.), M.Sc.(Econ.) from the Helsinki School of Economics (now Aalto University) Research Interests: Oinas examines innovation ecosystems, corporate responsibility, and entrepreneurship through a spatial lens. Key themes include the socio-spatial embeddedness of economic action, internationalisation of architecture, and methodological advancements in economic geography. Advising & Grants: She has supervised numerous doctoral candidates including Janne Lindstedt and Susanna Kivelä. Her grants include the Australian Research Council's "Rebuilding Troubled Regions" project (2021-2023). She has led major initiatives like the IDeaS project on innovation districts and collaborated on studies of MNE strategies and cluster transformation. Labs/Teams: Active in Turku Science Park's innovation district initiatives and the Traveling Start-Up Scene project, emphasizing quadruple helix collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society.

• Innovation districts
• Innovation systems in space
• Cluster transformation
• +7 more