Johnson Lok ([email protected])
Building a Gut Microbiome Engineering Toolbox for In-Situ Therapeutic Treatments for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (BestTreat) is a program funded by the European Commission which aims to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for NAFLD based on gut microbiota.
Aim of my study is to investigate the association between the NAFLD progression and alterations in gut microbiota and metabolites. Correlations between metagenomics, metabolomics, imaging data and other prognostic biomarkers for NAFLD are investigated to elucidate the mechanisms behind metabolic benefits conveyed by specific functional strains of the gut microbiota to the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD. Metagenomic and metabolomic signatures of specific gut microbiota and metabolites will be used to develop novel microbiome-based disease prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions for NAFLD.
Joose Peitola ([email protected])
Currently, my research focuses on the study of knee osteoarthritis. The idea of my work is to utilize musculoskeletal and finite element models to investigate forces acting on the knee joint, as well as the mechanical responses of cartilage. My goal is to further develop the existing modeling framework by incorporating increasingly detailed patient-specific parameters and to evaluate the effects of various conservative rehabilitation interventions.
Kaarina Mönkkönen ([email protected])
I am involved in several research groups that study interaction between people, multi-professional teaching and collaboration. Multidisciplinary teaching and research offer me a possibility to develop my own perspectives beyond my own area of science. Dialogue is a central concept that has directed my research ever since my own doctoral dissertation. Dialogue also offers an important tool for understanding social and health care work and multiprofessional work. Another central concept that directs my work is impactful interaction. This implies that it is not enough that we collaborate, but that our collaboration has results. I have also researched people’s experiences of value and meaning, which we have also published on in 2023 in a book ‘Arvoa ja arvottomuuta’ loosely translated ‘Value and Valuelessness’ (Mönkkönen, Tapani & Kokkonen). We also published a book ‘Työyhteisötaidot digiajassa’ loosely translated ‘Work Community Skills in the Digital Age’ (Mönkkönen & Roos), where we contemplate what work community skills mean in the changed world of work. I
In collaboration with the University of Namibia we have released an educational video on early intervention in family violence. The video was launched in Namibia on 14 August 2024. UEF and the University of Namibia launch an educational video on early intervention in family violence | University of Eastern Finland The video highlights Finnish and Namibian approaches to addressing family violence and is intended for social workers, social work students and other professionals involved in family violence intervention. https://youtu.be/TRkKnNCT_w8
I mainly teach in multidisciplinary courses, where students from different fields study multi-professional collaboration. I also lead theses seminars and supervise doctoral dissertations.
Kaisa Raninen ([email protected])
Food researcher in the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
I have knowhow in food analysis, microbiology, microplastics, clinical nutrition interventions and biorefining, and special expertise in analysis of volatile compounds (GC-MS).
I am currently working in the ELTUVA project, which investigates the effects of high-pressure processing (HPP) and freeze-drying on the microbiological quality of food in cooperation with local food companies. I am also a contact person of Food Valley network, which is promoting the local food sector.
Kirsikka Aittola ([email protected])
I am an early stage researcher, nutritionist and expert of food sciences. I currently work at the Stop Diabetes (StopDia) project in the Department of Clinical Nutrition in Kuopio. The StopDia study was set to create and implement evidence-based and digitally supported strategies for the prevention of type 2 diabetes at population level in three regions in Finland. It is funded by the Strategic Research Council and lasts until year 2019. I take care of practical issues of the StopDia randomized controlled trial and handle the RCT data.
I am interested in eating behavior and eating competence of the StopDia study participants, who are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. With my study I hope to enhance knowledge on eating-related behavior and it’s association with obesity and type 2 diabetes. My goal is to find more efficient ways to make long-lasting healthy lifestyle changes and to conduct effective lifestyle interventions in healthcare and thus, preventing type 2 diabetes.
I’d like to build a research network. I am also active in social media and write nutrition-related blog posts.
I am a PhD researcher in nutrition science, a licensed dietitian and an expert in food science. I am currently working on the Kuopio campus in the Unit of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition in the Stop Diabetes (StopDia) project. The goal of the StopDia study was to create and implement ways to prevent type 2 diabetes in Finland based on scientific evidence and utilize digital tools. The study was funded by the Academy of Finland, Strategic Research. I take care of the practical matters of the randomized controlled trial StopDia, communication and analyse data. I also work in the T2D-Data project, which aims to find out who will benefit from using the BitHabit app in terms of type 2 diabetes prevention.
I also work as a nutrition expert in the national FOODNUTRI project, where we develop a measure of diet quality, the Healthy Diet Index, as a digital app for health promotion and health care services. The goal of the Healthy Diet Index app is to improve the effectiveness of nutritional counselling.
In my dissertation, I study the quality of the diet, the Healthy Diet Index, and eating behavior, more specifically the Satter Eating competence, and their connection to risk factors for type 2 diabetes in the StopDia data. With my research, I hope to increase knowledge on eating-related behavior and its connection to obesity and type 2 diabetes. My goal is to find more effective ways to make long-term health-promoting lifestyle changes, implement effective lifestyle interventions in healthcare and municipalities, and thereby prevent type 2 diabetes.
I would like to build my research network. I am also active on Twitter and I like to participate in nutrition communication.
Kwok Ng ([email protected])
Empowering primary school teacher to include pupils with special education needs into physical education classes using digital tools project.
HOHTO/OPUT projects
The effectiveness of self-directed pace versus a tutor supported pace of a special education MOOC (Intervention research)
Leena Forma ([email protected])
I have a title of docent in health economics, especially the economics of ageing. I am interested in the use, costs and financing of health and social services among older people. I have studied these mainly using register data, but considering also hidden costs and all the different funding bodies also requires a multi-method approach. My more recent research interests include factors related to the retirement of older workers, as well as the economic evaluation of nutrition interventions. I belong to the Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care (CoE AgeCare).
I coordinate the preparation of the new bachelor’s program in economics. The program will be implemented in cooperation between several departments and will start in autumn 2025. I supervise master’s theses and doctoral dissertations in the field of health economics.
Lilian Fernandes Silva ([email protected])
I am a Researcher in Precision Medicine at the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Eastern Finland and a fellow at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. My research focuses on identifying and characterizing metabolites involved in metabolic diseases, particularly on understanding metabolic pathways across different physiological states, including normal glucose tolerance, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes, by leveraging advanced metabolomics and clinical data, aiming to develop personalized approaches for the early detection and treatment of metabolic disorders, contributing to the advancement of precision medicine in metabolic diseases. With a strong background in pharmacy, I combine Biochemical expertise with clinical Insights to translate findings into potential Therapeutic interventions.