Elena Ppali ([email protected])
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.
Emilia Kansanen ([email protected])
- Strategic development of research and innovation activities at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
- Planning and preparation of selected major research projects and applications.
- National and international stakeholder collaboration related to research and innovation activities, including the creation of new contacts and networks.
Employee-Driven Learning and Innovation as Multi-Perspectival Phenomenon: Longitudinal Ethnographic Research from Police and Technology Work Contexts (EDLI)
Enhancing the innovation potential by advancing the know-how on biomedical image analysis – Kuopio Biomedical Image Analysis Center (KUBIAC)
Environmental efficiency for mineral processing through the innovation network – INNOMIN
Esa Hiltunen ([email protected])
I work as a Senior Lecturer in Innovation Management at UEF Business School and I am an expert of organizational change in the health sector. Another research interest focuses on retail sector and participatory innovation. I also supervise theses in master and doctoral programs.
I have a special competence in qualitative research in organizations, particularly observation-based ethnography, which I have applied in research that is based on Bourdieu’s field theory. I have a wide collaboration network in different research fields, both business studies and sociology.
EUARENAS – Cities as Arenas of Political Innovation in the Strengthening of Deliberative and Participatory Democracy
Frank Kiwanuka ([email protected])
I recently completed the Doctoral Programme of Health Sciences – major Nursing from the University of Eastern Finland. My research interests include family healthcare, nursing in acute care settings, global health nursing, and most recently machine learning in healthcare contexts. I am eager to engage in international interdisciplinary collaborative projects that push the boundaries beyond what is achieved in single local settings. I thrive well in collaborative environments, valuing the exchange of ideas and perspectives that drive innovation in health sciences.
Hanna Lehtimäki ([email protected])
Hanna Lehtimäki (Ph.D. Bus Econ) is a professor of Innovation Management in Business School and a Director of Research Center for Sustainable Circular Economy (CECE) founded in 2023 at the University of Eastern Finland. Her research examines circular economy with theoretical frameworks on innovation management, strategic management, organization theory, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She and her research team, SunLab, advance transdisciplinary social sciences research and societal impact in sustainable circular economy transition. In her capacity as a Vice Director of UEF strategic research community Sustainable Resource Society: Circular Economy, Energy and Raw Materials (RESOURCE RC), she advances multidisciplinary social sciences research agenda for sustainability transition in business and society.
She is an experienced research project leader. Currently she leads a work package in a research consortium Partnership model – plastic circularity funded by Business Finland, a development project Circular economy microcredentials (CE4ALL) funded by EU Just Transition Fund, Northern Savo and Northern Karjala Regional Funds, a research project Leading Regenerative Circular Economy (LEADSUS) funded by the Finnish Foundation for Economic Education and is a work package leader in Research Council of Finland funded research project Multi-level governance of critical materials for future electric mobility (GOVERMAT). She was a vicePI and a work package leader in an Academy of Finland Strategic Research Council project Circular Economy Catalysts: From Innovation to Business Ecosystems (2019-2023) and a leader in Finnish Indian research consortium Circular Economy Solutions for Microplastics: Indo-Finnish Scientific Collaboration for Innovation (CESMI) (2022-2024).
She is also active in advancing sustainability education in her capacity as a leader of Sustainability leadership international Master’s programme at the UEF Business School and a multidisciplinary minor Sustainable Business and Society.
Her research has appeared in journals internationally and she has recently co-edited books on art and sustainability and catalyzing sustainable circular economy. The recent edited books are:
Ghosh, Pooja, Carrasco-Navarro, Victor, Lehtimäki, Hanna (Eds.) (2025, forthcoming). Circular Plastics Economy: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. Elsevier.
Lehtimäki, Hanna, Taylor, Steve, Galvão-Lyra, Mariana (Eds.) (2024). Art and Sustainability Transitions in Business and Society. Theoretical Insights and Engagement. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-3-031-44218-6. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44219-3
Lehtimäki, Hanna, Aarikka-Stenroos, Leena, Jokinen, Ari, & Jokinen, Pekka (Eds.) (2023). The Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy. Routledge. ISBN 9781032212449.