معرفی
Liis Haljasmägi is a researcher at the University of Tartu's Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, where she currently serves as a Junior Research Fellow in Molecular Immunology (0.50 FTE) since February 2023. She has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 2017, holding various research positions including Specialist (at different FTE levels) since 2018.
Dr. Haljasmägi completed her Master's Degree in Biomedicine from the University of Tartu in 2018, with a thesis on "Type I IFN neutralizing autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus." She is currently pursuing her PhD in Medicine at the University of Tartu, focusing on "Type I interferons and their autoantibodies in the context of autoimmunity" under the supervision of Kai Kisand and Pärt Peterson.
Dr. Haljasmägi's research primarily focuses on immunology, particularly molecular immunology and autoimmunity. Her work centers on Type I and Type III interferons and their autoantibodies in autoimmune conditions and viral infections, especially in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19. She has made significant contributions to understanding how autoantibodies against interferons affect disease progression and immune responses in various conditions. Her research often involves detailed analysis of immune cell subsets, antibody responses, and cytokine profiles.
Her 15 most recent publications (2020-2023) demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of immunology, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases. The research consistently examines Type I and Type III interferons, autoantibodies, and immune responses in conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19. Her work spans basic immunological mechanisms to clinical applications, with particular emphasis on how interferon-related pathways influence disease severity and treatment outcomes.
- National Student Research Competition - certificate of merit (2017)
Dr. Haljasmägi is actively involved in multiple significant research projects, including "Building Excellence in Systems Immunology and Healthy Aging Research" (2024-2027) and "Type I interferons and their autoantibodies in autoimmunity and COVID-19" (2021-2025). She has contributed to several completed projects such as "Central immune tolerance" and the "Follow-up study of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroepidemiology study in Estonia." She also serves as a practical course instructor for biology courses at the University of Tartu.
Dr. Haljasmägi is a member of the Estonian Society of Immunologists and Allergologists (since 2023) and collaborates extensively with research teams at the University of Tartu's Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine. Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across immunology, virology, and clinical medicine.