Paul-Christian Burkner is a researcher in the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University. His work focuses on Bayesian statistical methods, computational modeling, and probabilistic programming. He collaborates with Professor Aki Vehtari's research group and has published extensively on topics like model sensitivity, spatiotemporal analysis, and variable selection techniques. His research interests include: Bayesian inference and model comparison Computational statistics Probabilistic programming Machine learning algorithms Statistical modeling in social sciences Neuroimaging data analysis Recent publications demonstrate expertise in simulation-based calibration, spatiotemporal modeling, and Gaussian process approximations. Collaborations span psychology, neuroscience, and machine learning domains. Contact: ext-paul-christian.burkner@aalto.fi
Mikaela Bonsdorff von is a Professor at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences , University of Jyväskylä, and leads the Social Gerontology Programme at Folkhälsan Research Center in Helsinki. Her research group investigates healthy and active aging from a life course perspective, integrating doctoral students, postdocs, and project researchers across multiple institutions including University of Helsinki, Tampere University, Karolinska Institutet, VU Amsterdam, and Lund University. Current affiliations: University of Jyväskylä, Folkhälsan Research Center Collaboration networks: Nordic and European aging research institutions Research focus: Multidisciplinary gerontology and public health Research interests center on healthy and active aging from a life course perspective, examining physical, psychological, and social functioning. Key areas include work ability, health trajectories, frailty development, adaptation to adversity, and lifestyle determinants of aging. The group employs diverse methodologies including longitudinal cohort studies and environmental gerontology approaches. Recent publications focus on social vulnerability in aging, early-life determinants of resilience, multimorbidity patterns , and digital health tools for frailty prediction. These studies demonstrate interdisciplinary integration of epidemiology, genomics, and social sciences to understand aging processes. The Paving the Way for Healthy Aging (FINeFI) project develops electronic frailty indices for early risk identification, while the Active University project explores community-building interventions for health promotion. Research outputs emphasize translational applications for preventive geriatrics and public health policy.
Hannu Lehti is an Academy Research Fellow at the INVEST Research Flagship Centre and a University Teacher in the Department of Social Research at the University of Turku, Finland. His work integrates sociology, quantitative methods, and evolutionary social science to examine intergenerational mobility, educational outcomes, and social stratification. Academy Research Fellow, INVEST Research Flagship Centre University Teacher, Department of Social Research PhD, Docent in Social Sciences His research centers on the interplay between family background, kinship networks, and socioeconomic attainment across generations. He applies evolutionary social science frameworks—such as the Trivers-Willard hypothesis—to explain gendered educational investments and adoption behaviors. His work emphasizes the complex transmission of disadvantages through family structures and extended kin, using Finnish population data and advanced quantitative methods. Lehti's recent publications span topics including the gender achievement gap, adoption typologies, perceived economic disadvantage in children, and the duration of university studies influenced by cultural and economic capital. His work appears in journals like Frontiers in Sociology , Journal of Biosocial Science , and Evolutionary Psychological Science , reflecting a strong interdisciplinary focus bridging sociology, psychology, and biosocial sciences. His scientific contributions have not yet been publicly linked to specific awards or fellowships, but his consistent publication record in high-quality journals underscores his impact in the field. He has supervised or advised no publicly listed students. However, he collaborates with prominent researchers such as Antti O. Tanskanen, Janne Salminen, and Markus Laaninen. His research is supported through the INVEST Flagship Centre, suggesting involvement in large-scale, team-based projects focusing on well-being and inequality. He likely contributes to teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in quantitative methods and social theory. Lehti maintains active research profiles on ORCID and ResearchGate , facilitating academic collaboration and dissemination.
Julia Bend is a researcher affiliated with the School of Business and Economics and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences . Her work bridges psychology, cognitive science, and technology, with a focus on human-computer interaction and perceptual dynamics. Research Interests include sex differences in numerosity perception, visuospatial abilities, cognitive load, and the impact of augmented reality and mobile technologies on human performance. Her studies often utilize eye-tracking metrics to analyze perceptual and cognitive processes. Publication Trends highlight interdisciplinary collaborations, exploring topics like driver fatigue detection, gamified workplace training, and spatial cognition. These works emphasize experimental methodologies and technological applications. Scientific Awards : CHARM-EU Open Science Recognition Award (2023) Activities : Conference presentation on sex differences in numerosity perception (2024) Keynote on augmented reality effects (2023) Public talk on eye fixation and blink activity (2023)
Seppo Auriola is a Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland . His career spans pharmaceutical analysis, mass spectrometry, and metabolomics with a focus on drug delivery systems, steroid profiling, and nanoplastic biotransformation. Key affiliations include the Analytical Unit and the LC-MS Metabolomics Center . Research Pillars : Pharmaceutical analysis of steroids and metabolites Mass spectrometry applications in ocular and brain drug delivery Metabolomics of maternal health and childhood development Microplastic exposure and health effects Recent Trends : Analysis of steroid hormone landscapes in cancer and neurological diseases Development of LAT1 transporter-targeted prodrugs Quantitative BBB and ocular permeation studies Environmental metabolomics and plastic leachables Collaborative Networks : Partners in ESTO1-Trial (prostate cancer) Multi-institutional teams in diMPex (microplastics) International consortia in ocular drug delivery (ODD group)
Redouane Aherrahrou is a Senior Researcher at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, with emphasis on genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches. He has contributed to studies on vascular smooth muscle cell biology, GWAS analysis, and translational research bridging genetic findings to clinical applications. Key areas of research include: Genetic risk loci in coronary artery disease Transcriptomic profiling of atherosclerotic plaques Functional interpretation of GWAS data Role of smooth muscle cells in vascular pathology Sex-specific gene expression in cardiovascular diseases Recent work highlights discoveries such as the identification of ITIH4 as a novel smooth muscle cell-specific gene in atherosclerosis and the role of autoantibodies in cardiovascular risk prediction.
Tuire Lähdesmäki is a Clinical Lecturer and Docent in the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine. Her work bridges clinical pediatric neurology and developmental neuroscience, with a strong focus on early brain development and neurological outcomes in children. Academic Rank: Clinical Lecturer Institution: University of Turku Department: Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Specialization: Pediatric Neurology Her research centers on general pediatric neurology, with emphasis on central nervous system infections, pediatric traumatic brain injury, and the influence of parental psychological and environmental factors on neonatal and childhood brain development. She uses advanced neuroimaging techniques and longitudinal cohort data, particularly from the FinnBrain birth cohort, to explore structural and functional brain changes related to cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong trend in developmental neuroscience and pediatric neurology, with recurring themes in brain connectivity, white matter maturation, amygdala and prefrontal cortex development, and long-term cognitive effects of mild traumatic brain injury. These studies often employ MRI, fMRI, and diffusion imaging within large pediatric cohorts, highlighting a multidisciplinary, data-driven approach. While no formal awards are listed in the provided text, her contributions to clinical guidelines—such as the Finnish epilepsy care pathway—and professional handbooks indicate national impact in pediatric neurology practice. Dr. Lähdesmäki actively collaborates with researchers in neurology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. Her involvement in the FinnBrain cohort suggests integration into a larger research team focused on early-life determinants of health. Though no specific lab or grant is mentioned, her ongoing research output implies active participation in funded projects and collaborative networks.
Roles and Affiliations: Professor of Neuroimmunology at the University of Turku, leading a research group focused on MS mechanisms. Serves as a clinical neurologist at Turku University Hospital and participates in clinical trials. Holds adjunct professorship at Yale School of Medicine (since 2019) and was a visiting professor at Yale (2016-2017). Education: Medical degree from University of Turku; PhD in immunology/cell biology. Docentship in neurology (2007). Research Interests: Elucidating pathological mechanisms of progressive MS using PET/MRI, biomarker analysis, and collaborations with PET, metabolomics, and immunology experts. Focus on microglial activation, synaptic density, and prognostic imaging biomarkers. Articles Overview: Recent work highlights TSPO-PET integration with metabolomics, synaptic density studies, and BTK inhibitor reviews. Emphasis on imaging-driven insights into MS progression and treatment targets. Awards: 2015 GMSI Innovation Award and 2020 Progressive MS Alliance Award for contributions to MS research. Advising & Grants: Supervises 10 PhD, 4 MSc, and 2 medical students. Funding from Finnish Academy, industry, and foundations. Active in randomized clinical trials for MS therapies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Turku Neuroimmunology Research Group, part of Turku PET Centre and the InFLAMES Flagship. Collaborates internationally on imaging and biomarker initiatives.
Jan Antfolk is a Professor of Psychology at Åbo Akademi University, leading research in the Interpersonal Relations Research Group. His scholarly work spans multiple critical areas including sexual behavior, minority stress, legal psychology, and cross-cultural studies. With over 124 publications and numerous active research projects, Antfolk has established himself as a prominent researcher in psychological science with significant contributions to understanding human behavior across cultural contexts. Antfolk's research interests focus on several interconnected domains. His work on sexual behavior and orientation has examined how sexual minorities navigate asylum procedures in Finland, including studies on disclosure timing and credibility assessments. He has conducted extensive cross-cultural research on romantic love and mate preferences across 175 countries with over 117,000 participants. His legal psychology research investigates eyewitness testimony accuracy under various conditions, develops evidence-based training for asylum officials, and analyzes communication dynamics in official interviews. Additionally, he studies vaccine attitudes during the pandemic, postpartum depression, and mother-offspring conflict through multiple funded projects. Analysis of Antfolk's recent publications reveals a strong methodological diversity and international collaboration. His work frequently employs large-scale cross-cultural designs, experimental methodologies, and qualitative analysis of real-world procedures. The research shows consistent focus on applying psychological science to real-world legal and social issues, particularly regarding asylum procedures and credibility assessments. Distributing Knowledge in Legal Psychology (2020-2022) - Principal Investigator PPD-MOC: Postpartum Depression and Mother-Offspring Conflict (2019-2022) - Principal Investigator VaccAtt: Research on Vaccine Attitudes (2018-2023) - Co-Investigator Antfolk has supervised multiple students according to institutional records and collaborates extensively with researchers across numerous countries. His work demonstrates practical applications in legal settings, particularly in improving asylum procedures and eyewitness identification protocols in Finland, while also contributing to theoretical understanding of human behavior across cultures.
Jari Kukkonen is a University Lecturer at the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland. His work focuses on educational technology, teacher education, and science education, particularly the integration of ICT in pedagogy and the development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). He has contributed to projects such as Escape game pedagogy - Sm4rt LOC and Nature and development of pre-service teachers’ TPACK . His research emphasizes pre-service teachers' digital competence, socio-scientific issues in education, and the use of ICT to enhance teaching practices. Notable collaborations include studies on climate change attitudes, health literacy partnerships with local pharmacies, and virtual simulators in neurophysiology education. Publications span topics like teacher educators' roles in digital competence development, student perceptions of mobile learning, and longitudinal studies on 21st-century skills. Kukkonen’s work bridges theory and practice, aiming to improve teacher training and student engagement through innovative educational technologies.
Samuel Piha is a Docent and Associate Professor at the Turku School of Economics (University of Turku), specializing in Marketing with a focus on consumer research. He holds a D.Sc. (Econ) in Marketing from the University of Turku (2018) and dual M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Economic Geography (2014). His academic career includes roles as a permanent university teacher at UTU and assistant professor at the University of Vaasa (2019–2022), alongside research leadership in projects such as the LASKU initiative (2024–2026) funded by Liikesivistysrahasto. His research prioritizes consumer well-being, empowerment, and vulnerability, integrating evolutionary psychology and consumer culture. Key topics include crisis-driven consumption patterns, public transportation behavior, and the psychological impact of sexuality-related consumption. Methodologically, he employs surveys, mixed-methods, and theoretical frameworks. He actively engages in science communication through media contributions like Helsingin Sanomat and academic conferences. Teaching responsibilities include courses on consumer behavior (MA12), marketing communications (MA13), and advanced consumer research at both bachelor's and master's levels. He supervises theses across all academic levels and chairs the Finnish Association of Consumer Research. Notable projects include the LASKU project addressing consumer adaptation to economic crises, and prior work on insect-based food acceptance and wine consumer psychology. His interdisciplinary approach bridges behavioral sciences and cultural studies, emphasizing practical implications for policy and business.
Mariagnese Barbera is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland (UEF). She has a strong research profile in dementia epidemiology and prevention, with a focus on cardiovascular risk factors, subjective cognitive decline, multimodal interventions, and qualitative studies in aging populations. Her research interests span dementia prevention, precision medicine, adherence in lifestyle interventions, and public health implementation. She investigates how cardiovascular health intersects with cognitive aging and how structured interventions can reduce dementia risk. Her work emphasizes real-world applicability, especially through digital platforms and international collaboration. Her recent publications highlight trends in multimodal precision prevention, the role of risk scores (e.g., ANU-ADRI, LIBRA), mechanisms of lifestyle interventions, and the development of combination therapies like MET-FINGER. These studies reflect a shift toward personalized, evidence-based strategies for cognitive health, supported by large-scale trials and WHO guideline development. Member, WHO Guidelines for Dementia Risk Reduction (Evidence Review Team) Coordinator, Finnish Study in HATICE Coordinator, CAIDE 85+ Study Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Cambridge (2007–2013) PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Padova, Italy (2007) Dr. Barbera has contributed to major scientific efforts in dementia prevention, including the FINGER trial, MET-FINGER protocol, and World-Wide FINGERS network. She collaborates with leading institutions across Europe and has secured funding from international bodies such as the European Research Council and EU Joint Programme—Neurodegenerative Disease Research. Her work bridges clinical research, public health policy, and patient-centered intervention design. She is part of the Clinical Alzheimer Research group and the UEF - Nordic-UK Brain Network, contributing to both national and global dementia prevention initiatives. Her research integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to understand intervention adherence, participant experiences, and long-term cognitive outcomes.
Tuija Aro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, affiliated with the School of Wellbeing. Her research focuses on developmental neuropsychological traits, psychological well-being interventions, and factors influencing intervention effectiveness. She studies learning disabilities, math and reading fluency, and their long-term impacts on mental health. Her recent projects include investigating the effects of combining winter swimming with brief psychotherapy (funded by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation) and examining protective factors for individuals with learning disabilities. She leads interdisciplinary teams and collaborates on studies like 'From Cold to Mental Well-being' and 'Developmental Language Disorder Prevention.' Research Interests: Psychotherapy efficacy, developmental psychology, learning disabilities, neuropsychological interventions, and educational resilience. Key Projects: Winter swimming-psychotherapy synergy, protective factors in learning disabilities, and longitudinal studies on well-being outcomes. Her articles analyze topics such as heart rate variability in psychotherapy, math anxiety in adults, and predictors of reading fluency. She emphasizes evidence-based practices for improving educational and mental health outcomes.
Jetro Tuulari is an Associate Professor and Docent in the Department of Clinical Medicine at the University of Turku, where he also serves as Research Manager in Clinical Neurosciences and Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Computing. He is the Principal Investigator of the FinnBrain Neuroimaging Lab and Head of Neuroimaging at the InterLearn Centre of Excellence. He is affiliated with the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing at the University of Oxford and part of the international Lifespan consortium developing human brain growth charts. His research focuses on how early life exposures, genetics, and environmental factors shape brain structure and function, influencing long-term health and wellbeing. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, fMRI, dMRI, PET, and EEG, his team investigates developmental cognitive neuroscience, with emphasis on maternal health, childhood adversity, obesity, and intergenerational effects. His work bridges clinical medicine, computing, and population neuroscience, contributing to large-scale cohort studies like FinnBrain, ABCD, and the Developing Human Connectome Project. His recent publications (2024–2025) reflect a strong trend in population neuroscience, neonatal brain development, epigenetics, and methodological innovation in neuroimaging. Key themes include maternal BMI and brain development, prenatal stress and child outcomes, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and AI-driven analysis of neuroimaging data in conditions like Long COVID. Finnish Medical Foundation Emil Aaltonen Foundation Sigrid Juselius Foundation Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation Hospital District of Southwest Finland State Research Grants Alfred Kordelin Foundation Juho Vainio Foundation Orion Research Foundation He supervises a vibrant research team of post-doctoral fellows, doctoral students, and undergraduates within the FinnBrain Neuroimaging Lab. He has played a key role in launching the Human Neuroscience Master’s Programme at the Turku Brain and Mind Center and coordinates courses on neuroimaging methods. His international collaborations include researchers at Oxford, Cambridge, KCL, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the University of California, Irvine. He leads the FinnBrain Neuroimaging Lab, which conducts multimodal neuroimaging analyses within the FinnBrain Birth Cohort. The lab is part of broader initiatives like InterLearn and the Lifespan consortium, focusing on synergistic data analysis, brain network modelling, and population-level neuroscience.
Susanna Kortesluoma serves as a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Population Health Research (POP Centre) within the University of Turku, Finland, where she contributes to the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study and the "Right to Belong: Tackling Loneliness and Ostracism during Childhood and Youth" consortium project under the SRC programme YOUNG. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Clinical Research from the University of Turku, completed through the FinnBrain Birth Cohort research group and Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR), focusing on maternal prenatal distress and infant cortisol stress response. Master of Science in Drug Development from the Department of Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics at the University of Turku. Dr. Kortesluoma's research centers on stress regulation mechanisms, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, examining how maternal prenatal psychological distress (depression/anxiety) influences infant stress response development. Her work extends to gut microbiota and hair hormone concentrations as early biomarkers for childhood emotional/behavioral problems, alongside pandemic-related stressor impacts on family well-being. She integrates biological markers with behavioral assessments in longitudinal cohort designs. Her 2021-2024 publications in journals like Psychoneuroendocrinology demonstrate consistent focus on longitudinal stress biomarker analysis (cortisol, cortisone, DHEA) across early childhood, employing advanced statistical methods to explore sex differences, childcare environment effects, and biological-social factor interplay in developmental psychopathology. Funded by personal research grants, she leads projects on prenatal stress effects, infant gut microbiota, and pandemic-related stress dynamics. She actively collaborates within the FinnBrain Birth Cohort and Right to Belong consortium, contributing to interdisciplinary teams focused on child development and mental health. Her primary research environment is the University of Turku's Centre for Population Health Research, leveraging the FinnBrain Birth Cohort dataset. She also participates in the multi-institutional Right to Belong consortium, applying social neuroscience approaches to address childhood loneliness and social exclusion.
