Marja Makarow

Marja Makarow serves as Professor of Applied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Helsinki and President of Academia Europaea (since 2021), while concurrently holding the position of Vice-president at the Academy of Finland since 2012. Her distinguished career spans executive roles including Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation (2007-2011) and Vice-rector for Research at the University of Helsinki (2003-2007), alongside advisory positions for the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation.

Her research concentrates on fundamental biochemical processes, particularly molecular mechanisms of protein folding and intracellular glycoprotein transport within cell biology. Through leadership roles such as chairing the ERC Starting Grants panel for genomics, genetics, systems biology, and bioinformatics, she has significantly influenced broader scientific domains including health research innovation and molecular medicine infrastructure development across Europe.

Dr. Makarow's exceptional contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors:

• Federation of European Biochemical Societies Young Scientist’s Award (1984)
• Runar Bäckström Invention Award (1994)
• Culminatum Ltd. Invention Award (1996)
• Order of the White Rose of Finland, class I medal (2001)
• Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques de France (2002)
• Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2003)
• Member of the Academia Europaea (2009)
• Chevalier dans l’ordre de la Légion d’honneur (2018)

Her strategic impact extends through establishing the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (Nordic EMBL Partnership), chairing the Millennium Technology Prize jury, and steering research assessments for elite European universities. As Finland's delegate to ESFRI and chair of national research infrastructure committees, she shapes continental science policy while advising governmental bodies on innovation frameworks including Finland's national health research strategy.