Research group

Kirsi Laitinen kirsi.laitinen@utu.fiProfessor (Human Nutrition), Principal Investigator
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Kati Mokkala kamamo@utu.fiPhD, Senior Researcher, Adjunct Professor
(2013-2021, 2023-)
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Noora Houttu nhmhou@utu.fiPhD, Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine,
Medical microbiology and immunology
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Veera Houttu veera.houttu@utu.fiPhD, Authorized Nutritionist,
Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Turku
Institute of Biomedicine
Food Sciences Unit,
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Ella Koivuniemi elmkoi@utu.fiPhD, Senior Researcher
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Lotta Saros loevpa@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Mrunalini Lotankar mrunalini.m.lotankar@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Ella Muhli elromu@utu.fiMD, BSc, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine

Timo Seitz timo.seitz@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine
Food Sciences Unit, Faculty of Technology
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Jenni Viitaharju jessou@utu.fiBSc, Medical student, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine

Miisa Kähkönen mlkomu@utu.fiMD, doctoral candidate
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine

Janina Hieta jamhie@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Elisa Liimatainen elisa.a.liimatainen@utu.fiMedical student, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine

Milla Aatsinki milla.aatsinki@utu.fiMaster of Health Science (Nutrition)
Authorized nutritionist,
PhD candidate
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Ella Suihko ella.suihko@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Nutrition, Food and Health

Chunpeng Zhang chzhan@utu.fiPhD candidate
University of Turku
Institute of Bioscience
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Food, Nutrition and Health

Otto Selenius ovosel@utu.fiM.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Sanna Koskimäki sanna.koskimaki@utu.fiM.Sc., Project Researcher,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Collaborators

Leo Lahti leo.lahti@utu.fiProfessor (Data Analytics)
University of Turku
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Lauri Polari lauri.polari@abo.fiPhD, Senior Researcher (Cell Biology)
Åbo Akademi University

Sauli Haataja sauli.haataja@utu.fiUniversity Teacher
Institute of Biomedicine

Kristiina Tertti PhD, MD, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, perinatologist
TYKS, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, principal medical doctor of the study

Harri Niinikoski MD, specialist in paediatrics, paediatric endocrinologist
Professor (Nutrition in Medicine)
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine

Sirkku Setänen PhD, MD, postdoctoral researcher,
specialising physician (pediatric neurology)
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine;
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine

Past Members

Outi Pellonperä PhD, MD, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology
TYKS, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Tapani Rönnemaa MD, professor (Emeritus)

Ulla Ekblad MD, adjunct professor (Emerita)

Students and trainees (current and alumnus)

Biomedicine students: Sonja Järvinen, Tyti Hämeenaho, Mira Minkkinen, Elina Suominen, Laura Rinta-Kanto, Kaisa Koskenniemi, Heidi Pirhonen and Salla Puumalainen

Dentistry student: Johanna Gustafsson

Medicine students: Teemu Halonen, Eveliina Kasula, Rebekka Laitinen, Tuomo Mäkinen, Viivi Koivisto, Irene Mäkelä, Milla-Maria Johansson, Lilja Mattila, Erik Wistrand, Marja Ojaniemi, Kristiina Jaakkola and Ira Päivölä

Psychology students: Enni Korhonen, Pauliina Hulkkonen, Eveliina Äärelä, Iiris Luukkonen, Heidi Haataja and Laura Näsänen

Trainees: Veera Nurmi

Exchange students: Maria Amoros Pecondon, Tugce Cansev, Kerstin Schorr and Alessia DiSipio

Funding

The key funding bodies of the research group include the Academy of Finland, Business Finland (former Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation), Juho Vainio Foundation, Diabetes Research Foundation, Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Governmental Funding ERVA, Biocodex Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, Sigrid Jusélius Foundation and The Finnish Cultural Foundation.

The PhD students have received funding from the Turku Clinical Graduate School, Diabetes Research Foundation, Orion Research Foundation, Turku University Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation, Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation, Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation and The Finnish Cultural Foundation (Varsinais-Suomi regional fund).