The University of Eastern Finland presented Katja Vilhunen, Doctor of Education, Rubén Torregrosa-Muñumer, PhD, Henri Niskanen, PhD, and Maria Kämäri, PhD, with the Young Researcher Award 2019. Rector Jukka Mönkkönen and Academic Rector Harri Siiskonen selected a promising young researcher from each UEF faculty on the basis of professors’ nominations. The award is presented in recognition of an outstanding doctoral dissertation completed at the end of the early stage researcher career phase. The recipients of the Young Researcher Award were announced during the university’s anniversary celebration held on 21 March.
Knitting blogs offer craft makers a platform for collaboration
The Young Researcher Award of the Philosophical Faculty was presented to Katja Vilhunen, Doctor of Education, whose doctoral dissertation in craft science, Knitting blog as a part of craft making – experiences of combining blogging and handicrafts by knitting bloggers, explores the role of blogs in craft making. The study approached the topic from the viewpoints of blogging, craft making and a sense of community. The topic is very topical and interdisciplinary. Moreover, the findings have international relevance, as the dissertation produced new scientific knowledge of blogging as a phenomenon, which is valuable for the development of pedagogical practices and applications. The study ambitiously used mixed methods, with the material consisting of data from two surveys, written narratives and networking data. This makes the material diverse, rich, exceptionally extensive and of a high level. Vilhunen's doctoral dissertation was graded as laudatur, and the opponent’s statement recognises it as exceptionally praiseworthy, of a high level and representative of the field’s finest. The doctoral dissertation is a manifestation of high-level academic skill and diverse and in-depth scholarship, as well as comprehensive mastery of the theme, with Vilhunen managing to present even the complicated things in a well structured and clear manner.
Research sheds light on mitochondrial DNA repair mechanisms
The Young Researcher Award of the Faculty of Science and Forestry was presented to Rubén Torregrosa-Muñumer, PhD, whose doctoral dissertation, Replication stress and damage tolerance in mammalian mitochondria, investigates the ability of mitochondria to cope with DNA lesions caused by environmental and cellular damage sources. One of the breakthroughs of the dissertation was the discovery of new protection mechanisms in animal mitochondria, which helps to understand the mitochondrial DNA damage sources and their relevance in mitochondrial diseases. Methodologically, the study was extremely challenging, but Torregrosa-Muñumer’s determination, vigour and strong motivation led to excellent results. The doctoral dissertation is praiseworthy, exceptionally extensive and well written, and it was approved as “pass with distinction”. The findings have been published in prestigious journals. Furthermore, Rubén Torregrosa-Muñumer was appointed to a competitive post doc position already before he obtained his PhD, which speaks volumes of his merits.
Genome 3D architecture and non-coding RNAs regulate gene expression of endothelial cells
The Young Researcher Award of the Faculty of Health Sciences was presented to Henri Niskanen, PhD. His doctoral dissertation in molecular medicine, Shaping gene expression of endothelial cells by 3D chromatin architecture and non-coding RNAs, reveals new molecular-level mechanisms that shape the expression of vascular endothelial cell genes during differentiation, and when cells react to growth factors and hypoxia. New insight into these mechanisms increases our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and opens up new avenues for the development of treatments that make use of angiogenesis. The study was the first to demonstrate how genome regulation networks are formed during endothelial cell differentiation. The study also observed an increase in the amount of non-coding RNA produced by the complementary sequence the HIF1A gene in the development of arteriosclerosis. The doctoral dissertation employed a diverse set of modern, genome-wide sequencing methods, producing extensive and challenging data that was analysed using bioinformatics methods. According to the award statement, Henri Niskanen is an ambitious and goal-oriented researcher, as well as a pleasant colleague who is never too busy to help others.
Cold temperatures and snow affect river nutrient load timing
The Young Researcher Award of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies was presented to Maria Kämäri, PhD. Her doctoral dissertation in geography, Spatiotemporal variation of sediment and nutrient dynamics in seasonally ice-covered rivers, deals with factors affecting sediment and nutrient dynamics in rivers. The study sheds new light on the interaction between biogeochemical and hydrological processes relating to nutrient loads. Climate change is making winters warmer, and the study also helps assess their effects on flowing waters. The study involved demanding field work under challenging winter conditions and the use of technically advanced methods, numerical simulations and statistical analyses. The doctoral dissertation comprises four scientific articles, all of which have been published in international, peer-reviewed journals. The effects of winter and cold climate on sediment dynamics is a little studied topic, and this makes the doctoral dissertation of Maria Kämäri internationally interesting and pioneering.
For further information, please contact:
Academic Rector Harri Siiskonen, tel. +358 294 45 8018, harri.siiskonen (a) uef.fi
Rector Jukka Mönkkönen, tel. +358 294 45 8001, jukka.monkkonen (a) uef.fi
Maria Kämäri (on the left), Henri Niskanen and Katja Vilhunen.