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Elena Ppali (elena.ppali@uef.fi)

I have an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from The University of Manchester, where I also completed my master’s degree in Neuroscience.  I have also completed a Master’s degree in Molecular cell biology with Bioinnovation, at University College Cork.

As part of the UEF-Neuro-Innovation programme (MSCA-COFUND), we are looking into the endolysosomal dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on genetic risk variants for Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Gaining a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease could lead to the development of more accurate diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic avenues, as well as the identification of novel biomarkers for earlier disease diagnosis. This will hopefully contribute towards personalised medicine, tailored to the specific needs and symptoms of patients, improving their quality of life.

Feroze Fazaludeen (feroze.fazaludeen@uef.fi)

A motivated researcher with a strong background in cell culture, stem cell, and next-generation sequencing work. Contributed to develop methodology for producing human iPSC-derived microglia and organoids to study the development of the brain and Alzheimer’s disease. Participated in several research projects, some of which produced publications and one of which led to a patent. Experienced in writing SOPs, qualification protocols, and reports. A competent scientist with a solid foundation in molecular biology and bioinformatics.

 

Heikki Tanila (heikki.tanila@uef.fi)

I am leading the Neurobiology of Memory Research group at A. I. Virtanen Institute. Our group investigates cellular mechanisms that mediate selective loss of recent memory in early Alzheimer’s Disease.

Iman Zarei (iman.zarei@uef.fi)

I completed my PhD in Human Nutrition, minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines joined with Colorado State University, USA. My PhD research focused on identification of dietary biomarkers in cereal bran using metabolomics from two human intervention studies in adults and children and determination of cereal bran property in inhibiting bacterial pathogenicity in mouse cell line. As my cognate was Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, during my PhD program, I also worked over three years as lar at the Grain Quality and Nutrition Center as well as the Genetic Transformation Laboratory of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, the most renowned rice research organization in the world. My work at IRRI included rice metabolomics, identification rice varieties with high protein content, and genetic modifications of rice for vitamin A (Golder Rice project) and iron and zinc bio-fortification.  I currently work within the LongITools project (https://longitools.org) to study the effects physical activity and diet exposures on human health in determining the risks of chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Jaakko Pohjoismäki (jaakko.pohjoismaki@uef.fi)

I am a molecular biologist and a research group leader focused on molecular biology of mitochondria. As a side I have ongoing projects in population genetics and evolutionary biology. Through my extracurricular activities, I have wide expertise on biodiversity, species identification, dogs and hunting. Previous work experience include biomedicine and forensic biology.

Jari Tiihonen (jari.tiihonen@uef.fi)

Office at Niuvanniemi Hospital (Niuvankuja 65, FI-70240 Kuopio, Finland)

Present positions
• Professor, University of Eastern Finland, School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kuopio, Finland
• Professor, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden

Major research interests
• Psychiatry, psychopharmacology, functional brain imaging, autoradiography studies on dopamine and serotonin receptors and transporters in the human brain; epidemiology, genetics and neurobiology of substance dependence; violent and suicidal behavior

Johanna Laakkonen (johanna.p.laakkonen@uef.fi)

I’m an Academy Research Fellow, and PI of a junior research group focusing on Vascular Biology. The goal of our team is to improve therapeutics and diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases by understanding the biology behind the diseases. The main focus is in studying vascular anomalies and aortic aneurysms. Particularly genetics, cell-cell interaction and angioparacrine mediators are studied.

Vascular Biology

Jukka Pumpanen (jukka.pumpanen@uef.fi)

The research work of Jukka Pumpanen is focusing on greenhouse gas balances of forest soils and soil microbiology as a driver of respiration and soil organic matter decomposition and the greenhouse gas fluxes between soil and the atmosphere. His recent work has been focusing on the long-term effects of disturbances on carbon balances of forest ecosystems. He is also studying the lateral flows of carbon and nutrients between terrestrial and aquatic systems.

Kaisa Raninen (kaisa.raninen@uef.fi)

Researcher in the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and in the SIB Labs (Science – Innovation – Business) team in the Department of Technical Physics in the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology.

I have knowhow in food analysis, clinical nutrition interventions, microbiology, microplastics and biorefining, and special expertise in analysis of volatile compounds (GC-MS).