New associate professors recruited to the University of Turku

The University of Turku has secured €5 million in funding from the Research Council of Finland to recruit leading international researchers. As part of this initiative, two associate professors will join the university in 2026–2027, each establishing their own research groups.

Dr. Velma T. E. Aho will join the Department of Biology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in November 2026, and Dr. Nipun Gupta will arrive at the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering from the University of Toronto in January 2027.

Aho’s research focuses on human–microbe interactions, including microbiomes in humans, animals, and ancient DNA, with the aim of advancing understanding of microbial impacts on health across time. Her work is closely connected to the Human Diversity consortium.

The recruitment is part of the Academy of Finland’s Profi funding scheme, which supports Finnish universities in strengthening their research profiles by attracting high-level international talent.

Lue aiheesta lisää Turun yliopiston uutissivuilta (In Finnish)