Researcher Forum 2024 - Helsinki: Advancing Multidisciplinary Science

On September 12, 2024, the Researcher Forum by University of Helsinki brought together experts, researchers, and students to share insights and foster collaboration. The event featured two engaging sessions of research group presentations, covering topics like animal welfare, zoonotic diseases, host-microbe interactions, and innovative therapies.

Our team was proud to join this inspiring event, contributing to the discussions and learning from leading scholars, including keynote speaker Prof. Sarah Green and presenters like Prof. Hannes Lohi and Prof. Mari Heinonen. The forum highlighted the value of multidisciplinary approaches in addressing complex scientific challenges.

Programme of the Researcher Forum

11:00-12:00 Lunch

12:00-12:05 Opening. Vice Dean Tomi Taira

12:05-13:20 Session 1. Research group's presentations

· Professor Johanna Björkroth

· Doctoral Researcher Emil Loikkanen

· Senior University Lecturer Mikael Niku, Host-microbe interactions modulating animal development

· Assistant Professor Pernilla Syrjä, Research in Animal Pathology and Parasitology research

· Associate Professor Tarja Sironen, One Health approach to pathogen discovery

· Clinical Instructor (DVM, PhD) Pauli Keränen, Bone graft substitute and cartilage defect repair research

· Associate Professor Anna Mykkänen, Lipids in airways of asthmatic horses

· Doctoral Researcher Petra Kangas, Biomarkers for drug-resistant epilepsy

· Senior Clinical Instructor Maria Kareskoski, Equine reproduction research

· Professor Mari Heinonen, Current research topics and results

· Clinical Instructor (DVM, PhD) Kirsi Swan, Multidiciplinary animal welfare research

· Veterinarian, Doctoral Researcher Aino Riihimäki, Bovine Digital dermatitis in Finland

· Clinical Doctor in Specialising Veterinarian Johanna Weckman, Genetic study of insect bite hypersensitivity in Finnhorses

· Senior Veterinarian Sanna Viitanen, Recurrent bacterial pneumonia in Irish Wolfhounds

13:20-13:50 Coffee break

13:50-14:05 The Dean's speach. Dean Olli Peltoniemi

14:05-15:05 Keynote: Professor Sarah Green

15:05-15:55 Session 2. Research group's presentations

· Veterinarian, Doctoral Researcher Elina Rautala, Persistent fontanelles and cranial development in Chihuahuas

· Physiotherapist Anna Boström, The Finnish Agility Study

· Doctoral Researcher Muusa Takala, Streptococcus uberis mastitis

· Clinical Instructor Mari Hovinen, Subacute rumen acidosis

· Clinical Instructor (DVM, PhD) Kati Salla, Introduction of ANEMAL research group and current research topics

· Clinical Instructor Heli Hyytiäinen, Summary of FaunaFysio's current research topics

· Professor Tomi Taira, Mouse models of canine diseases

· Professor Hannes Lohi, Canine models of human disease

· University Researcher Maria Kaukonen, From genes to therapy with novel gene editing tools

· Doctoral Researcher Mikko Kosola, How changes in compliance would affect incidence of foodborne illnesses

· University Researcher Kirsi-Maarit Lehto, ZANRES - Zoonotic Antimicrobial Resistance

15:55-16:00 Closing. Vice Dean Tomi Taira