Research group

Kirsi Laitinen Professor (Human Nutrition), Principal Investigator
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Kati Mokkala PhD, Senior Researcher, Adjunct Professor
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Noora Houttu PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher,
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Veera Houttu PhD, Authorized Nutritionist,
Postdoctoral Researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Ella Koivuniemi PhD, Senior Researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Lotta Saros PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Mrunalini Lotankar M.Sc., PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Ella Muhli MD, BSc, PhD researcher
Department of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Timo Seitz M.Sc., PhD researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine &
Food Sciences Unit
Faculty of Technology
University of Turku

Jenni Viitaharju BSc, MD, PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Miisa Kähkönen MD, PhD researcher
TYKS, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
& Department of Clinical Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Janina Hieta M.Sc., PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Elisa Liimatainen MD, PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Milla Aatsinki M.H.Sc., (Nutrition), Authorized nutritionist,
PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Ella Suihko M.Sc., PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Chunpeng Zhang M.Sc., PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Otto Selenius M.Sc., PhD researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Sanna Koskimäki M.Sc., Project Researcher
Institute of Biomedicine &
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Hanna Lähde M.Sc., Project Researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Hüsna Kaya Kacar PhD, Senior Researcher, SYS-LIFE postdoc
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
Hayley Tapio MPH, Project Researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Kamakshi Srivastava M.Sc, Project Researcher
Nutrition and Food Research Center
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

Collaborators

Leo Lahti Professor (Data Analytics)
Department of Computing
Faculty of Technology
University of Turku
Lauri Polari PhD, Senior Researcher (Cell Biology)
Åbo Akademi University
Sauli Haataja University Teacher
Institute of Biomedicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku

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
Institute of Biomedicine
Faculty of Medicine
University of Turku
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

Sports medicine students: Maarit Lehtinen

Food science students: Tazrian Abid

Trainees: Veera Nurmi and Duygu Ersoy

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).

Group poster