Personnel

    Anna Aakula

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Westermarck Lab, office 4123

    +358 (0)29 450 3788

    anna.aakula [at] bioscience.fi

    Background

    • PhD in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. Conducted in the research group of Prof. Olli Kallioniemi, at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki.
    • MSc in Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Åbo Akademi University.

    Project

    Dephosphorylational regulation of the epigenetic machinery in progression and treatment resistance of NSCLC.

    Soroush Abyari

    Project Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    soroush.s.abyari [at] utu.fi

    Ketlin Adel

    Project Engineer

    Cell Imaging & Cytometry, office 5135

    ketlin.adel@utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Consultation, operations, training & maintenance: Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry

    Nigatu Adossa

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7114

    nigatu.a.adossa [at] utu.fi

    Anneli Alamaunu

    Instrument Technician

    anneli.takala [at] utu.fi

    Syed Bilal Ahmad Andrabi

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7093

    +358 (0)29 450 3769

    bilal.andrabi [at] bioscience.fi

    Tiina Arsiola

    Laboratory Manager

    Westermarck Lab, office 4123

    +358 (0)29 450 3788

    tiina.arsiola [at] bioscience.fi

    Background

    • Laboratory Manager, Turku Centre for Biotechnology, since 2012
    • University Research Fellow, Animal Bioscience, University of Eastern Finland,  2010-2011
    • Certificated Degree in Pedagogy, Jyväskylä University of Applied Science, Finland, 2010
    • Research Associate, Animal Biotechnology, University of Eastern Finland, 2000-2010
    • Post Doctoral Fellow, Prostate cance​r research, University of Kuopio, Finland, 2004-2007
    • Post Doctoral Fellow, Prostate cancer research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 2001-2003
    • PhD, Animal Biotechnology, University of Kuopio, Finland, 2001

    Ujjwal Aryal

    Undergraduate Student

    Eriksson Lab

    ujjwal.u.aryal [at] bioscience.fi

    Kedar Batkulwar

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7115

    +358 (0)29 450 3730

    kedar.batkulwar [at] utu.fi

    Pradeep Battula

    Project Researcher

    FFGC, Biomedical Epigenomics, office 7117

    +358 40 372 5384

    prabat [at] utu.fi

    Alexander Biehl

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab, office 7086

    alexander.biehl [at] bioscience.fi

    Rahul Biradar

    Doctoral Candidate

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7094

    +358 (0)29 450 3768

    rahul.biradar [at] utu.fi

    Nicholas Booth

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab

    nicholas.booth [at] utu.fi

    Anna Brunell

    Doctoral Candidate

    Lahesmaa lab

    anna.e.brunell [at] utu.fi

    Tanja Buchacher

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Lahesmaa lab

    tanja.buchacher [at] utu.fi

    Umar Butt

    Doctoral Candidate

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    umar.butt [at] bioscience.fi

    Background:

    • B.S. Bioinformatics-COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
    • M.S. Biomedical Imaging-Åbo Akademi University, Finland

    Project:

    Characterization of Oncogenic and metastatic properties of SHARPIN

    Deepankar Chakroborty

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elenius Lab, office 4137

    +358 (0)29 450 3786

    deepankar.chakroborty [at] bioscience.fi

    Megan Chastney

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    megan.chastney [at] utu.fi

    Sheyla Cisneros-Montalvo

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Rantakari Group, 5B floor

    secimo [at] utu.fi

    Eleanor Coffey

    Vice-Director, Group Leader, Research Director

    Office 7079

    +358 (0)40 182 2424

    eleanor.coffey@utu.fi

    James Conway

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    james.conway [at] utu.fi

    Project title

    Regulation of integrin phosphorylation

    Research interests

    FRET biosensors and 3D models

    Michael Courtney

    Group Leader

    +358 (0)29 450 3739

    michael.courtney [at] utu.fi

    Activities in the cell imaging core

    CIC consultant on high content imaging

    Navid Delshad

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    navid.delshad [at] abo.fi
    "Navid Delshad is a Pharm.D.. He has joined the John Eriksson lab in 2021 as a project researcher. Now he is a PhD candidate in Biosciences and a member of HPV Horizon team."

    Oxana Denisova

    Postdoctoral Reseacher

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    oxana.denisova [at] utu.fi

    Background

    • Ph.D. in Medicine (Molecular Virology) in 2014 at Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)University of Helsinki, Finland.
    • M.Sc. in Biology (Molecular Biology) in 2007, at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
    • Training at the Molecular Biology Education centre (2005 –2007), Institute of Protein Research, Pushchino, Russia.

    Project

    PP2A in glioblastoma therapy resistance: novel opportunities for targeted therapeutics​

    Michal Dibus

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    michal.dibus [at] utu.fi

    Alex Dickens

    Group Leader, Co-PI of Metabolomics

    Neurometabolomics

    +358400285575

    alex.dickens [at] utu.fi

    Phuong Doan

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Westermarck Lab, Office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    phuong.doan [at] utu.fi

    Background

    • DSc (Tech) in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (2022), Tampere University, Finland
    • MSc (Tech) in Bioengineering (2016), Tampere University of Technology, Finland

    Project

    Target mechanisms for CIP2A-mediated essentiality in homologous recombination deficiency BL-TNBC cells

    Klaus Elenius

    Group Leader, Professor of Medical Biochemistry

    Office 4114

    +358 (0) 29 540 4393

    klaus.elenius [at] utu.fi

    Laura Elo

    Professor, Vice-Director, Research Director, Group Leader

    Office 7073-74

    +358 (0)29 450 2090

    laura.elo [at] bioscience.fi

    Solveig Eriksson

    Project Researcher

    Turku BioImaging

    solveig.l.eriksson [at] utu.fi

    John Eriksson

    Research Director, Group Leader, Professor

    +358 (0)2 215 3313, +358 (0)29 450 2042

    john.eriksson [at] bioscience.fi

    Olaya Esparta-Gonzalez

    Project Researcher

    Elenius Lab

    olaya.espartagonzalez [at] utu.fi

    Ilia Evstafev

    Metabolomics, office 5019

    Veronica Fagerholm

    Business Champion and Coordinator

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    +358 (0)29 450 3784

    veronica.fagerholm [at] utu.fi

    Project

    I am searching for driver genes that act downstream of JNK1 to promote mood disorders.

    Jimmy Fagersund

    Project Researcher

    Lahesmaa Lab

    jimmy.c.fagersund [at] utu.fi

    Iman Farahani

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elenius Lab

    iman.i.farahani [at] utu.fi

    Thomas Faux

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7089

    +358 (0)29 450 3805

    thomas.faux [at] bioscience.fi

    Inês Alvito Félix

    Doctoral Candidate

    Rantakari Lab

    ines.alvitofelix [at] utu.fi

    Dani Flinkman

    Project Researcher, Mass Spectrometry and Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    +358 (0)29 450 3784

    dani.flinkman [at] bioscience.fi

    Gautier Follain

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska & Jacquemet Labs

    gautier.follain [at] utu.fi

    Hanna Freiberg

    Doctoral Candidate

    hanna.h.freiberg [at] utu.fi

    Paulina Frolovaite

    Elo Lab, office 7118a

    Heidi Gerke

    Project Researcher

    Rantakari Lab, office 5041a

    hmsulo [at] utu.fi

    Bishwa Ghimire

    Senior Researcher

    Inflames

    Jelena Gnjatovic

    Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    +358 (0)29 450 3784

    jelena.j.gnjatovic [at] utu.fi

    Mariam Gouda

    Undergraduate Student

    Zhang Lab, Biocity 2nd floor

    mariam.gouda [at] utu.fi

    Laura Grönfors

    Laboratory Technician

    Mattila Lab & Rantakari Lab

    lmgron [at] utu.fi

    Sirkku Grönroos

    Departmental Coordinator/Controller

    Office 7077

    +358 400 513701

    sirkku.gronroos [at] utu.fi

    Nikhil Gupta

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    nikhil.gupta [at] utu.fi

    Background

    • Ph.D. in Biological Science (2020), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
    • Master in Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), India

    Project

    Cancer therapy implications of species specific difference in requirement of PP2A mediated tumor suppression

    Eduardo Gusmao

    Elo Lab

    Anna-Mari Haapanen-Saaristo

    Undergraduate Student

    Zebrafish, office 4138

    anna-mari.e.haapanen-saaristo@utu.fi

    Pekka Haapaniemi

    Laboratory Technician

    +358 (0)29 450 2200

    pekka.haapaniemi [at] bioscience.fi

    Marjo Hakkarainen

    Laboratory Technician

    Lahesmaa Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3754

    marjo.hakkarainen [at] bioscience.fi

    Milja Hakoniemi

    Project worker

    Westermarck Lab

    milja.a.hakoniemi [at] utu.fi

    Emmi Hämäläinen

    Project Researcher

    Lahesmaa lab

    emkham [at] utu.fi

    Hellyeh Hamidi

    Research Coordinator

    Ivaska Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3787

    hellyeh.hamidi [at] bioscience.fi

    Research interests

    Integrin activity, cell adhesion, cancer, cell migration

    Afra Haque

    Doctoral Candidate

    Rantakari Group, office 5121

    afra.a.haque@utu.fi

    Pierre Heemeryck

    Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    pierre.heemeryck [at] utu.fi

    Sarita Heinonen

    Laboratory Technician

    Lahesmaa Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3758

    sarita.heinonen [at] bioscience.fi

    Arttu Heinonen

    Project Engineer

    +358 (0)29 450 2200

    arttu.heinonen [at] bioscience.fi

    Karoliina Hirvonen

    Doctoral Candidate

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7095

    +358 (0)29 450 3810

    karoliina.hirvonen [at] bioscience.fi

    Julian Hofmann

    Doctoral Candidate

    Rantakari Lab 5021

    julian.hofmann [at] utu.fi

    Emilia Holm

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358449708251

    emilia.holm [at] abo.fi

    Background

    I received my Master’s degree in Cell biology at Åbo Akademi University, Finland in 2018 while working under Professor Kid Törnqvist. During this period, I was mainly studying what role the transcription factors TRb1 and Runx2 have in follicular thyroid cancer. As I finished my Master’s degree, I hoped to learn new techniques that are used in cell biology and thus became a PhD student in Professor John Eriksson’s lab. Currently, I study the importance of vimentin in the maintenance of nuclear integrity in fibroblasts. In addition, I am also involved in studies involving vimentin phosphorylation and interactions between lamins and heat shock factor 1 during heat shock.

    Research interests

    • Imaging
    • Nuclear integrity and function
    • Intermediate filament structure
    • Mechanosensing

    Ye Hong

    Doctoral Researcher, Bioinformatics

    Coffey & Elo Lab, office 7089

    +358 (0)29 450 3805

    ye.hong [at] bioscience.fi

    Project in the Kinase group

    I am using bioinformatics to predict molecular mechanisms of depression and schizophrenia using proteomics and behavioral data.

    Grace Horgan

    Coffey Lab

    Tuulia Hyötyläinen

    Professor

    Affiliated Member of Systems Medicine

    Ahmad Ichsan

    Undergraduate student

    Courtney Lab

    Mohsin Imran

    Doctoral Student

    Tassos Lab

    mohsin.imran [at] utu.fi

    Aleksi Isomursu

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3789

    aleksi.isomursu [at] bioscience.fi

    Project title

    Mechanotransduction mechanisms in cancer

    Research interests

    Cancer, actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, ECM, mechanotransduction

    Johanna Ivaska

    Academy Professor, Group Leader

    +358 (0)29 450 2260

    johanna.ivaska [at] bioscience.fi

    Guillaume Jacquemet

    Affiliated Group Leader

    +358 (0)50 5012 574

    guillaume.jacquemet [at] bioscience.fi

    Project title

    Targeting filopodia to block cancer cell invasion

    Research interests

    Cell invasion, actin cytoskeleton, myosin-X, integrins

    Peter James

    Visiting Professor, University of Lund

    Proteomics

    peter.james [at] bioscience.fi

    Niklas Jäntti

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    niklas.z.jantti [at] utu.fi

    Jismi John

    Doctoral Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    +358 (0)29 450 3784

    jimajo [at] utu.fi
    I work with Nikita and together we hope to identify molecular drivers of anxiety and depression. We do this using different types of in vivo and ex vivo imaging methods.

    Heli Jokela

    Postdoctoral researcher

    Rantakari Lab

    heli.jokela[at]utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Scientific adviser for Mass- and Imaging Mass Cytometry

    Anniina Jokela

    Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    anniina.a.jokela [at] utu.fi

    Heli Jokela

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Rantakari Lab, office 5041a

    heli.jokela [at] utu.fi

    Anne Jokilammi

    University Teacher

    Elenius Lab 4438

    +358 29 450 4737

    anjosil [at] utu.fi

    Omkar Joshi

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    omkar.joshi [at] utu.fi

    Shreya Joshi

    Project Researcher

    Lönnberg Lab

    shreya.s.joshi [at] utu.fi

    Jenny Joutsen

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Sistonen Lab

    +358 (0)2-2154060

    jenny.joutsen [at] abo.fi

    I am mainly interested in HSFs and their importance in protein aggregation induced cell stress. Currently I am working with HSF2 and proteasome inhibition and I am mainly focusing on the HSF2-dependent transcriptional program that sensitises cells to proteasome inhibiting drugs. The overall keywords for my scientific interests could be: HSFs, protein aggregation, neurodegeneration, PTMs, SUMO, translation, cell adhesion, mechanical stress and many others!

    I love knitting and crocheting, detective stories, sushi, gardening and of course my two wonderful kids Ivalo and Pietari.

    Päivi Junni

    Laboratory Technician

    FFGC, Lab 5154, Single-Cell Omics

    +358 (0)29 450 3764

    paivi.junni@bioscience.fi

    Sini Junttila

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Elo Lab, office 7087C

    +358(0)29 450 3756

    simaju [at] bioscience.fi

    Jasmin Kaivola

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    jasmin.e.kaivola [at] utu.fi

    Taina Kalevo-Mattila

    Laboratory Technician

    Westermarck Lab, lab 5080

    +358 (0)29 450 3758

    taina.kalevo-mattila [at] bioscience.fi

    Ubaid Kalim

    Senior Research Fellow

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7093

    +358 (0)29 450 3808

    ubaid.ullah [at] bioscience.fi

    Jesse Kamila

    Project Researcher, Westermarck Group

    Westermarck Lab

    jesse.kamila[at]utu.fi

    Krishna Kanhaiya

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Orešič Lab

    krishna.kanhaiya [at] utu.fi

    Maritta Kantanen

    Instrument Technician

    maritta.kantanen [at] utu.fi

    Pragya Karmacharya

    Undergraduate student

    Oresic Lab

    Henok Karvonen

    Multimedia producer

    Turku Bioscience

    +358 (0)4 56 955689

    henok.karvonen [at] utu.fi

    Roosa Kattelus

    Undergraduate Student

    Lahesmaa Lab

    roosa.m.kattelus [at] utu.fi

    Otto Kauko

    M.D., Ph.D., Group Leader

    Cancer Proteomics

    otkauko@utu.fi

    Riina Kaukonen

    Senior Researcher

    Biomedical Epigenomics, FFGC, Single-Cell Omics

    riina.kaukonen@utu.fi

    Aleksi Kauro

    Oresic Lab

    Iivari Kleino

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Elo Lab

    iivari.kleino [at] utu.fi

    Marika Koivu

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elenius Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3786

    mkahak [at] utu.fi

    Jari Korhonen

    +358 (0)2 215 4062 ; BioCity 2nd floor, room 2066

    jari.korhonen [at] abo.fi

    Activities in the core

    Maintenance and training: microscopes located on the 2nd floor

    Matilda Kråkström

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Metabolomics, 5019

    matilda.v.krakstrom [at] utu.fi

    Anu Kukkonen-Macchi

    Research Coordinator

    Elo Lab, office 7072

    +358 (0) 294 503 796

    anukuk [at] bioscience.fi

    Nora Kullberg

    Undergraduate student

    Westermarck Lab

    nora.j.kullberg [at] utu.fi

    Katri Kulmala

    Office Secretary / Support Services

    Office team, office 2006

    office [at] bioscience.fi

    Sami Kurkinen

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    sami.t.kurkinen [at] utu.fi

    Kari Kurppa

    Supervisor

    kjkurp [at] utu.fi

    Minna Kyläniemi

    Vice head of FFGC, Laboratory Manager

    FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 3763

    minna.kylaniemi [at] utu.fi

    Petra Laasola

    Laboratory Technician

    Ivaska Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3758

    petra.laasola [at] utu.fi

    Current Role

    Day-to-day laboratory organisation and assisting in several research projects

    Research skills

    Molecular biology, immunoprecipitation, PLA, IHC & IF and FACS analysis

    Christoffer Lagerholm

    Lab Engineer

    Cell Imaging Core

    christoffer.lagerholm [at] utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Consultation, operations, maintenance: Microscopy

    Anne Lahdenperä

    Laboratory Manager

    Lahesmaa Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 2412

    anne.lahdenpera [at] bioscience.fi

    Riitta Lahesmaa

    Director, Group Leader, Professor

    Office 7075

    +358 (0)29 450 2415

    riitta.lahesmaa [at] bioscience.fi

    Asta Laiho

    Service Manager

    Elo Lab, office 7075

    +358 (0)29 450 2916

    astlai [at] bioscience.fi

    Joel Lainio

    Undergraduate Student

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    jnplai [at] utu.fi

    Santosh Lamichhane

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Orešič Lab

    santosh.lamichhane [at] utu.fi

    Sakari Lätti

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska Lab

    sakari.t.latti [at] utu.fi

    Paulina Moreno Layseca

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    paulina.morenolayseca [at] bioscience.fi

    Project title

    LIMA1 in Rab21-mediated integrin trafficking

    Research interests

    Rab21, integrins, endosomes, LIMA1, cancer

    Fatemehsadat Seyednasrollah (on leave)

    Doctoral Candidate

    Bioinformatics, office 7116

    +358 (0)29 450 3803

    fseyedna [at] bioscience.fi

    Riikka Lund [On a leave]

    Head of FFGC, Group Leader, Adjunct Professor (Title of Docent), Senior Researcher

    Biomedical Epigenomics, FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 3793

    riikka.lund [at] bioscience.fi

    Henna Lehtonen

    Undergraduate Student

    Rantakari Lab

    henna.n.lehtonen [at] utu.fi

    Veli-Matti Leppänen

    Research Fellow

    Ivaska Lab

    veli-matti.leppanen [at] utu.fi

    Maija Lespinasse

    Coordinator

    Biocity Turku, 6th floor

    biocityturku [at] bioscience.fi

    Lili Li

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Courtney Lab

    lili.li [at] utu.fi

    Markus Lindén

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab

    markus.linden [at] utu.fi

    Laura Lintukorpi

    Doctoral Student

    Rantakari Lab

    lamlin [at] utu.fi

    Rui Liu

    Doctoral Candidate

    Zhang Lab

    rui.liu [at] abo.fi

    Emmi Lokka

    Doctoral Candidate

    Rantakari Lab

    emmi.lokka [at] utu.fi
    On maternity leave

    Tapio Lönnberg

    Senior Researcher, Adjunct Professor

    Lönnberg Lab, Single-Cell Omics

    +358 (0)29 450 3738

    tapio.lonnberg [at] utu.fi

    Paula Luoma

    HR Specialist / Human Resources

    HR Specialist / Human Resources +358 (0)29 450 2676

    paula.luoma [at] utu.fi

    Noushin Madani

    Doctoral Candidate

    Tassos Lab, office 5018

    noushin.madani [at] utu.fi

    Rakesh Mahato

    Project Specialist

    Eriksson Lab

    rakesh.mahato [at] utu.fi

    Mehrad Mahmoudian

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7096

    +358 (0)29 450 3794

    mehmah [at] bioscience.fi

    Milla Majaniemi

    Research Assistant

    Westermarck Lab

    milla.s.majaniemi [at] utu.fi

    Satu Mäkelä

    Project Specialist

    Finnish Functional Genomics Centre

    satmak [at] utu.fi

    Faridun Mamadbekov

    Master Student, Computer Engineering

    Coffey Lab

    Alexandra Manea

    Undergraduate Student

    Zhang Lab

    alexandra.a.manea [at] utu.fi

    Mathilde Mathieu

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    mathilde.mathieu [at] utu.fi

    Julia Mathlin

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab

    julia.mathlin [at] utu.fi

    Pieta Mattila

    Affiliated Group Leader

    Mattila Lab, 5th floor

    +358 (0)50 574 0780

    pieta.mattila [at] utu.fi

    Aidan McGlinchey

    Postdoctoral research associate

    Affiliated Member of Systems Medicine

    Arfa Mehmood

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7118A

    +358 (0)29 450 3800

    arfa.mehmood [at] bioscience.fi

    Johannes Merilahti

    Facility Coordinator

    Proteomics

    +358 (0)29 450 3779

    johannes.merilahti [at] bioscience.fi

    Sara Metso

    Project Researcher

    FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 3764

    sara.m.metso [at] utu.fi

    Herbert Michlmayr

    Research Fellow

    Tassos Lab

    Lea Mikkola

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Lönnberg Lab

    050 473 9618

    lea.mikkola@utu.fi

    Ivana Mikocziova

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Single-Cell Omics, InFLAMES Research Flagship

    050 473 9618

    ivana.mikocziova@utu.fi

    Katarzyna Miniewska

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Metabolomics

    katarzyna.miniewska [at] utu.fi

    Mayank Modi

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358-(0)-469527179

    maymod [at] bioscience.fi; mmodi [at] abo.fi

    Background

    • PhD in Cell Biology (ongoing)
    • MSc in Molecular systems biology (Dec 2019)
    • B. Tech. in Biotechnology (May 2016)

    Research interests

    • Fibroblasts in ECM deposition and remodeling
    • Vimentin mediated mechanotransduction in adipogenesis
    • Directional cell migration
    • Microscopy and bioimage analysis

    Ponnuswamy Mohanasundaram

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab (Biocity 2nd floor)

    +358 2 215 4079

    pmohanas [at] abo.fi ; ponmoh [at] utu.fi

    Research Interests

    Vimentin knockout delayed wound healing process in mice. Vimentin involve in wound healing mechanism, by regulating cell proliferation, EMT signaling and collagen synthesis. Cell growth and proliferation are important process for wound healing and normal development. We found that vimentin regulate cell growth and proliferation through Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. My research work is to understand, how vimentin regulate cell growth and proliferation through Akt/mTOR signaling.

    Education

    • PhD (2012– till date) Thesis title – Role of Vimentin in normal and disease conditions, Faculty of  Science and Engineering, Cell Biology Unit, Åbo Akademi
    • Masters (M.Sc) in Biomedical Science (2005 - 2010), Department of  Biomedical Science, Bharathidasan University, India
    • Thesis:  Purification  and characterization of alkaline serine protease from Bacillus pumilus TMS55

    Alex Montoya

    Master Student, Computer Engineering

    Coffey Lab

    alex.montoyafranco [at] utu.fi

    Robert Moulder

    Senior Research Fellow

    Lahesmaa Lab, office 7115

    +358 (0)29 450 3802

    rmoulder [at] bioscience.fi

    Lana Mutabdzija

    Erasmus Exchange Student

    Tassos Lab, office 5018

    lana.l.mutabdzija [at] utu.fi

    Srikar Nagelli

    Doctoral Candidate

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    Srikar.nagelli [at] bioscience.fi

    Background

    • M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences - Northeastern University, Boston, USA
    • Specialization in Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutics
    • Associate Scientist - High Throughput Screening - Oncology, Horizon Discovery Inc., Boston, USA

    Project

    To understand the role of CIP2A in Basal-like breast cancer initiation and tumorigenesis

    Miika Niemeläinen

    Project Researcher

    Ivaska Lab

    miika.s.niemelainen [at] utu.fi

    Sebastián Zuñiga Norman

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab

    sizuno [at] utu.fi

    Christina Oetken-Lindholm

    Project Engineer

    Cell Imaging & Cytometry, office 5080

    christina.oetken-lindholm [at] utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Consultation, operations, training & maintenance: Flow Cytometry and back up for Mass Cytometry

    Veera Ojala

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elenius Lab

    +358 (0)50 349 6323

    vekaoj [at] utu.fi

    Venla Ojasalo

    Undergraduate Student

    Rantakari Lab

    venla.i.ojasalo [at] utu.fi

    Janni Ollikainen

    Undergraduate Student

    Rantakari Lab 5021

    janni.t.ollikainen [at] utu.fi

    Matej Oresic

    Group Leader, Senior Scientist

    Metabolomics and System Medicine

    +358 (0)29 450 3798

    matej.oresic [at] utu.fi

    Julius Orpana

    Project researcher

    Lahesmaa Lab

    jamorp [at] utu.fi

    Zsuzsanna Ortutay

    Operator

    Viral Vector Core

    +358294503776

    zsuzsanna.ortutay [at] utu.fi

    Zsuzsanna Ortutay

    Genome Editing Core/Viral Vector

    zsuzsanna.ortutay [at] utu.fi

    Mirva Pääkkönen

    Project Researcher

    +358 (0)29 450 2200

    mirva.paakkonen [at] bioscience.fi

    Ilkka Paatero

    Head of Zebrafish Facility

    +358 (0)29 450 3789

    ilkka.paatero [at] bioscience.fi ; zebrafish [at] bioscience.fi

    Project title

    In vivo imaging of cell migration

    Research interests

    Confocal imaging, live in vivo imaging, zebrafish, angiogenesis, signalling, migration

    Esko Pakarinen

    Project Specialist, Data Systems Specialist

    FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 2764

    ehjpak [at] bioscience.fi

    Tassos Papageorgiou

    Group Leader, Senior Scientist, Adjunct Professor

    +358 (0)29 450 3752, 3760, 3776

    anapap [at] utu.fi

    Hanna Parkkola

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Pentikäinen Lab

    hkpark [at] utu.fi

    Sepideh Parvanian

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    sepideh.parvanian [at] bioscience.fi; sepideh.parvanian [at] abo.fi

    Background

    I received my Master’s degree in Genetic Engineering from the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Tehran, Iran) in 2013. I worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for six years in up-stream bioprocess and R&D, and also as an internal auditor and monoclonal antibody API supervisor. I came to Finland in March 2017 as a Research Assistant to work on vesicular compartments in bone-resorbing osteoclasts, as a member of the EU-funded EUROCLAST project (Marie Curie ESR) at the University of Turku. I joined Erikson's Lab in June 2018 as a PhD student. My research focuses on novel fundamental insights on the role of fibrotic-derived extracellular vesicles in myofibroblasts heterogeneity and mechanism of fibrosis.

    Research interests

    • Extracellular Vesicles • Wound healing • Biopharmaceutical manufacturing

    Nicolas Pasquier

    Doctoral Candidate

    Ivaska lab, office 4121

    nicolas.pasquier [at] utu.fi

    Preethy Paul

    Project Coordinator & Postdoctoral Researcher

    Eriksson Lab

    +358 41 36 40 948

    ppreethy [at] abo.fi ; prepau [at] utu.fi

    Background

    • Screening & development of natural compounds and small molecules for anti-cancer activity
    • Studying the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by the compounds

    Research interests

    • Drug development research related to anti-cancer therapeutics
    • Developing natural compounds/extracts & small molecules for treatment of HPV associated cancers and warts
    • Studying the mechanism of cell death induced by the compounds in HPV associated cell lines by various biochemical and biophysical methods

    Niklas Paulin

    Undergraduate Student

    Elo Lab, office 7086

    + 358 (0)50 5216649

    niklas.paulin [at] bioscience.fi

    Ulla Pentikäinen

    Academy Research Fellow/University lecturer (Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku)

    +358 505012574

    ulla.pentikainen [at] utu.fi

    Sara Hernández Pérez

    Doctoral Candidate

    Mattila Lab, office 5092

    sarher [at] utu.fi
    Doctoral candidate in Pieta Mattila´s group. I am interested in lymphocyte biology and imaging.

    Mats Perk

    Project Researcher

    Elo Lab

    matsdaniel.perk [at] utu.fi

    Jenny Pessa

    Doctoral Candidate

    Potsdoc Board, Sistonen lab

    Nina Pettersson

    Doctoral Candidate, co-supervisor Dr. Eva Ekholm

    Biomedical Epigenomics

    Emilia Peuhu

    Affiliated Group Leader

    Peuhu Lab, D5066

    emilia.peuhu [at] bioscience.fi

    Project title:

    Regulation of stemness and invasion in normal mammary gland and breast cancer.

    Research interests:

    Breast development and cancer, mechanotransduction, somatic stem cells.

    Sami Pietilä

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7086

    + 358 (0)50 5216649

    sami.pietila [at] bioscience.fi

    Pekka Akseli Postila

    Senior Researcher

    Pentikäinen/Ivaska Lab

    pekka.postila [at] utu.fi

    Nirmal Poudel

    Doctoral Candidate

    Tassos Lab, room 5018

    nirpou [at] utu.fi

    Nirmal Poudel

    Doctoral Student

    Tassos Lab

    nirpou [at] utu.fi

    Roosa Pulliainen

    Undergraduate student

    Lahesmaa Lab

    Susanna Pyökäri

    Laboratory Technician

    Coffey Lab, office 5080

    +358 (0)29 450 3758 / 3771

    susanna.pyokari [at] bioscience.fi

    Suvi Rajaniemi

    Undergraduate Student

    Westermarck Lab

    suvi.a.rajaniemi [at] utu.fi

    Senthilkumar Rajendran

    Senior Research Fellow

    Eriksson Lab

    +358442362631

    srajendr [at] abo.fi ; sekura [at] utu.fi ; biosen81 [at] gmail.com

    Areas of expertise

    Drug discovery and development :
    • Synthesis of organic small molecules and inorganic metal complexes
    • Natural products – Extraction and isolation of compounds
    • Apoptosis cell signaling pathways
    • Drug-DNA/protein interaction
    • In Ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model
    • Nanocarriers

    Background

    • Project Coordinator at Åbo Akademi Unviersity, Finland– January 2014 - present
    • Postdoctoral Researcher at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Switzerland – September 2009 - January 2011
    • Senior Researcher Fellow at Bharathidasan University, India – April 2007 - August 2009

    Bárbara Ramos

    Project Researcher

    Courtney Lab, office 5121

    barbara.ramosartigot [at] utu.fi

    Pia Rantakari

    Adjunct Professor and Group Leader

    Rantakari Lab

    +358 (0)400 426 791

    pia.rantakari [at] utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Scientific adviser for Mass- and Imaging Mass Cytometry

    Omid Rasool

    Senior Researcher, Adjunct Professor

    Lahesmaa Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3769

    omid.rasool [at] bioscience.fi

    Leila Rato

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358 469511582

    leila.coelhorato [at] abo.fi

    Background

    I have received my BSc and MSc in Biochemistry from University of Aveiro, Portugal. I had the opportunity to join the Eriksson laboratory as part of the Erasmus Programme for my master`s thesis, in which I focused on studying vimentin and cell size signalling. I joined the Proteomics core facility for my summer job in 2017 and then I decided to enrol as a PhD candidate. I focus on understanding the role of vimentin in cell growth signalling by looking at signalling partners and post-translation modifications using mass spectrometry.

    Research interests

    • Mass spectrometry techniques and data analysis
    • Cell metabolism and signalling  
    • Post-translational modifications

    Kaisa Rautaniemi

    Project engineer

    Cell Imaging & Cytometry, office 5077

    kaisa.rautaniemi [at] utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Consultation, operations, maintenance: Microscopy    

    Oso Rissanen

    Laboratory Technician

    FFGC, Single-Cell Omics

    +358 (0)29 450 3764

    oso.rissanen@bioscience.fi

    Olof Rundquist

    Elo Group and Lahesmaa group, Office 7090

    olof.rundquist [at] utu.fi

    Emilie Rydgren

    Coordinator / Project Researcher

    Single-Cell Omics & Lahesmaa Lab, office 5022

    050 473 9618

    emilie.rydgren@utu.fi

    Kalle Rytkönen

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Elo Lab, office 7089

    +358 (0)29 450 3805

    katyry [at] bioscience.fi

    Cecilia Sahlgren

    Principal investigator (Åbo Akademi University, Eindhoven University of Technology), Professor of Cell Biology (ÅAU), Professor in Biomedical Engineering (TU/e)

    Sahlgren Lab, office 2017

    +358 2 215 3300

    cecilia.sahlgren [at] bioscience.fi

    Tayyab Saleem

    Undergraduate student

    Oresic Lab

    taysal [utu] utu.fi

    Jouko Sandholm

    Research Coordinator

    Cell Imaging & Cytometry, office 5077

    jouko.sandholm@utu.fi

    Activities in the core

    Consultation, operations, maintenance: Microscopy and backup for Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry

    Priya Parimelazhagan Santhi

    Doctoral student

    Westermarck Lab, Office 4120

    priyadharshini.p.paimelazhagansanthi [at] utu.fi

    Background

    MSc in Biomedical Science, University of Turku, Finland

    Project

    Stratification markers for diagnosis and targeted drug delivery of HNSCC metastasis

    Mudita Shakya

    Master Student, Computer Engineering

    Coffey Lab

    Mukund Sharma

    Doctoral Candidate

    Westermarck Lab, office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    mukund.sharma [at] bioscience.fi

    Background

    • MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

    Project

    Epigenetic regulation by PP2A and RAS synergy and its implication in cancer

    Ankitha Shetty

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Lahesmaa Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3769

    ankitha.shetty [at] bioscience.fi

    Farid Ahmad Siddiqui

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Elenius Lab, office 5130

    +358 (0)29 450 3779 / 3779

    farid.siddiqui [at] utu.fi

    Background

    • Doctoral student at Turku Center for Biotechnology since February 2016
    • MSc in Biotechnology form Punjab Technical University and master thesis form School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, 2011

    Project involvement

    CIMO project- Understanding the mechanism of action of conglobatin A in blocking oncogenic K-ras signaling

    Research interests

    Drug development especially inhibiting oncogenic K-ras

    Jenni Siivonen

    Laboratory Technician

    Ivaska Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 3758

    jenni.siivonen [at] utu.fi

    Current role

    Day-to-day laboratory organisation and assisting in several research projects

    Research skills

    Cell culture, DNA & RNA purification, Western blotting, IF, recombinant protein production, qRT-PCR

    Michael Silva

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358 469511586

    michael.santossilva [at] abo.fi

    Background

    I have done my Biochemistry degree in University of Aveiro, Portugal. During that time, I adventured myself in University of Southern Denmark, where I worked in pseudoexon activation in disease. After this experience, I decided to look for another place for me to do my master thesis. I was kindly accepted in John Eriksson’s lab, where I worked on c-FLIP regulation of cell population size. When the opportunity of starting PhD arrived, I embraced a new project working with human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins.

    Research interests

    • Human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins
    • Cell death
    • Ubiquitination
    • Proteomics

    Lucas Pinto da Silva

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Metabolomics

    lucas.pintodasilva [at] utu.fi

    Lea Sistonen

    Professor, Group Leader

    +358 (0)2 215 3311

    lea.sistonen [at] abo.fi

    Johannes Smolander

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7118A

    +358 (0)29 450 3800

    johannes.smolander [at] bioscience.fi

    Christel Sourander

    Doctoral Researcher, Neuroscience

    Coffey Lab, office 5045

    +358 (0)29 450 3784

    christel.c.sourander [at] utu.fi
    In my PhD project, I am studying how loss of cellular homeostasis may lead to behavioral changes at the level of the whole organism.

    Antonio Goncalves de Sousa

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab

    antonio.goncalvesdesousa [at] utu.fi

    Inna Starskaia

    Doctoral Candidate

    Lahesmaa lab

    inna.starskaia (at) utu.fi

    Freddy Suarez-Rodriguez

    Doctoral Candidate

    Postdoc Board, Sahlgren Lab

    Suvi-Riitta Sulander

    Undergraduate Student

    Peuhu Lab

    srmsul [at] utu.fi

    Giulia Sultana

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358466565957

    giulia.sultana [at] abo.fi

    Background

    • PhD in Cell Biology (ongoing)
    • Trainee in Anatomical Pathology
    • Trainee in Translational Medicine
    • Master of Science in Biomedical Applications
    • Bachelor’s degree in Biology

    Research interests

    • Cytoskeleton signaling
    • ECM remodeling
    • Cell migration in cancer and wound healing
    • Imaging

    Kim Sundfors

    Laboratory Engineer

    Office 5023

    +358 (0)29 450 3737

    kim.sundfors [at] utu.fi / tbctrouble@utu.fi

    Tomi Suomi

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7116

    +358 (0)29 450 3803

    tomi.suomi [at] bioscience.fi

    Rifahul Abrar Taiseer

    Undergraduate Student

    Zhang Lab

    mratai [at] utu.fi

    Tatiana Tarkhova

    Master Student

    Eriksson Lab

    tatiana.t.tarkhova [at] utu.fi

    Background:

    • Joined the HPV project to conduct her master’s thesis
    • Technician at central animal laboratory of Turku (2019-2021)
    • Master’s degree in Drug discovery and development (2020-2022)
    • Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine (2017-2020)

    Research interest:

    • Early phase drug development
    • Oncology
    • Computer aided drug design
    • TurboID

    Anupa Thapa

    Multimedia group

    anupa.thapa [at] utu.fi

    Ilias Thomas

    Postdoctoral research associate

    Affiliated Member of Systems Medicine

    Mari Tiehaara

    Undergraduate Student

    Westermarck Lab, office 4121

    msstie [at] utu.fi

    Lauriina Tola

    Undergraduate Student

    Rantakari Lab 5021

    lauriina.a.tola [at] utu.fi

    Maria Tuominen

    Project Engineer

    Elenius Lab 4438

    +358 (0) 29 450 4439

    martuo [at] utu.fi

    Tommi Välikangas

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elo Lab, office 7116

    +358 (0)29 450 3803

    tsvali [at] bioscience.fi

    Katri Vaparanta

    Doctoral Candidate

    Elenius Lab

    +358 (0)29 450 4438

    kmvapa [at] utu.fi

    Reija Venho

    Laboratory Technician

    FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 3754

    reija.venho [at] bioscience.fi

    Sami Ventelä

    Group Leader

    office 4124

    satuve [at] utu.fi

    Arun Venu

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +358 41 49 39 527

    apoonthu [at] abo.fi

    Background

    Master of Science in Biomedical Imaging Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology

    Research interests

    • Development of Functional materials at biological interfaces for wound healing.
    • Vimentin’s role in cell migration (fibroblast, macrophages and zebrafish)
    • Bioimaging and image analysis

    Anniina Vihervaara

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Sistonen Lab

    +358 (0)2 215 4055

    anniina.vihervaara [at] abo.fi

    Postdoctoral fellow working in the laboratory of John Lis at Cornell University, New York.

    Pasi Viljakainen

    Senior Technician

    Office 5081

    +358 (0)29 450 3757

    pasi.viljakainen [at] bioscience.fi

    Jenna Villman

    Research Assistant

    Zebrafish core

    jenna.m.villman [at] utu.fi

    Eveliina Virtanen

    Project Engineer, Technical responsible

    FFGC

    +358 (0)29 450 2764

    eveliina.virtanen [at] bioscience.fi

    Etta-Liisa Virtomaa

    Laboratory Technician

    Rantakari Lab

    etliva [at] utu.fi

    Ning Wang

    Undergraduate Student

    Elo Lab, office 7118B

    +358 (0)29 450 3801

    ning.wang [at] bioscience.fi

    Mikael Wasberg

    Laboratory Manager

    Office 5023

    +358 (0)2 215 3913

    mikael.wasberg [at] bioscience.fi

    Jukka Westermarck

    Research Director, Group Leader

    Office 4124

    +358 (0)29 450 2880

    jukwes [at] utu.fi

    Peiru Yang

    Doctoral Candidate

    Eriksson Lab

    +385 (0)418084762

    peiru.yang [at] abo.fi; peiru.yang [at] bioscience.fi

    Background

    • Trainee in John Eriksson Laboratory (2018-2019, Åbo Akademi University)
    • Trainee in Pharmaceutical Science Laboratory (2017-2018, Åbo Akademi University)
    • Master's Degree in Medicine (2016-2019, Jiangsu University, China)
    • Medical internship and rotation in surgery and radiology (2015-2016, The 81st Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, China)
    • Bachelor's Degree in Medicine (2010-2015, Jiangsu University, China)

    Research interests

    • Cytoskeletal signaling
    • Lipid droplet development and lipid metabolism
    • Immunometabolism
    • Wound Healing

    Venkatram Yellapragada

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Westermarck Lab, Office 4120

    +358 (0)29 450 3790

    venkatram.yellapragada[at]utu.fi

    Education

    • PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology, studied in the research group of Prof. Taneli Raivio, at the Stem Cells and Metabolism (STEMM) Research Program, Research Programs Unit (RPU), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
    • MSc in Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.

    Project

    RAS/PP2A targets in rRNA metabolism in RAS-driven cancers

    Nina Ylinen

    Undergraduate student

    Zebrafish Core

    nina.a.ylinen [at] utu.fi

    Ali Youssef

    Project Researcher

    Coffey Lab

    aymost [at] utu.fi

    Hongbo Zhang

    Tenure Track Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory

    +358 (0)22 154 141

    hongbo.zhang [at] utu.fi

    Junnian Zhou

    Postdoctoral Resercher

    + 358 (0)449124391

    junnian.zhou [at] utu.fi
    Holder of Biology Bechelor degree from Fudan university, Shanghai, China; Ph.D. degree from Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, China. His research interests focus on the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diseases, targeted therapy of cancer stem cells, tissue repair and radiation medicine based on adult stem cell therapy and multifunctional nanomaterials. He has published more than 30 articles in Hepatology (IF=11.711. 2015), Cell Death & Diseases (IF=5.9, 2019), Stem Cells Development (IF=4.6, 2012) and other journals.