Research group

Kirsi Laitinen Professor (Human Nutrition), Principal Investigator
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Kati Mokkala PhD, Senior Researcher, Adjunct Professor
(2013-2021, 2023-)
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Noora Houttu PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine,
Medical microbiology and immunology
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Veera Houttu PhD, Authorized Nutritionist,
Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of Turku
Institute of Biomedicine
Food Sciences Unit,
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Ella Koivuniemi PhD, Senior Researcher
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Lotta Saros M.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Mrunalini Lotankar M.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition, Food and Health
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Ella Muhli MD, BSc, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine
Timo Seitz M.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 BSc, Medical student, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Miisa Kähkönen MD, doctoral candidate
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine
Janina Hieta M.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Elisa Liimatainen Medical student, PhD candidate
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine
Milla Aatsinki Master of Health Science (Nutrition)
Authorized nutritionist,
PhD candidate
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Ella Suihko M.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine,
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Nutrition, Food and Health

Chunpeng Zhang PhD candidate
University of Turku
Institute of Bioscience
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Food, Nutrition and Health
Otto Selenius M.Sc., PhD candidate,
University of Turku,
Institute of Biomedicine
Nutrition and Food Research Center

Collaborators

Leo Lahti Professor (Data Analytics)
University of Turku
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Lauri Polari PhD, Senior Researcher (Cell Biology)
Åbo Akademi University
Sirkku Setänen PhD, MD, postdoctoral researcher,
specialising physician (pediatric neurology)
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine;
University of Turku, Department of Clinical Medicine

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

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).