Tuija Pulkkinen

Tuija Pulkkinen is a Professor at Aalto University, currently serving as Vice President for Research and Innovation since 2014. Previously, she was Dean of the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering (2011-2014) and held leadership roles at the Finnish Meteorological Institute including Head of the Space Research Programme and Research Professor.

Education

• 1995: Docent, Space Physics, University of Helsinki
• 1992: Doctor of Philosophy, Theoretical Physics, University of Helsinki
• 1989: Licentiate of Philosophy, Theoretical Physics, University of Helsinki
• 1987: Master of Science, Theoretical Physics, University of Helsinki

Research Interests

Professor Pulkkinen specializes in space physics with focus on auroral electrodynamics and magnetospheric dynamics. Her work integrates MHD simulations and empirical modeling to study Sun-Earth connections, geomagnetic storms, substorms, and space plasma phenomena. She investigates space weather impacts through large-scale modeling of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions and ionospheric electrodynamics, contributing to fundamental understanding of cosmic plasma processes.

Scientific Awards

• 2017: Julius Bartels Medal, European Geosciences Union
• 2014: Foreign Associate, US National Academy of Sciences
• 2011: Member, Academia Europaea
• 2011: Member, Academy of Technology (Teknillisten Tieteiden Akatemia)
• 2010: Member, The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters (Suomen Tiedeseura)
• 2005: Associate Member, Royal Astronomical Society
• 2004: NASA Group Achievement Award
• 2001: Member, Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters (Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia)
• 1999: City of Helsinki Science Award
• 1998: James B. Macelwane Medal, American Geophysical Union
• 1993: Editors’ Citation for Excellence in Refereeing, JGR-Space Physics
• 1991: Outstanding Student Paper Award, AGU Spring Meeting

Advising and Grants

While specific grant details are not documented in the source material, Pulkkinen's leadership roles including NASA Group Achievement Award and Earth Observation Programme direction indicate substantial federally funded research management. Her position as Research Professor at the Finnish Meteorological Institute and subsequent academic promotions reflect sustained grant acquisition capability in space physics research.

Labs and Teams

Pulkkinen directed the Space Research Programme and Geophysical Research Division at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, overseeing teams studying space weather and magnetospheric physics. At Aalto University, she leads institutional research strategy as Vice President while maintaining affiliation with the Department of Radio Science and Engineering's space physics research group.