Persevering research acknowledged with the Research Award
The Research Award for 2025 was granted to Professor Tanja Pyhäjärvi from the Department of Forest Sciences. Pyhäjärvi was recognised for her research on the molecular evolution and adaptation of trees. One of the significant findings of this effort is her article on forest tree population genomics published in the Nature Communications journal in December 2024. Findings on the longevity of the genetic diversity of certain European forest tree species are scientifically significant, and they can also be applied when planning future sustainable forests. What is noteworthy is that the research data are openly available to the academic community.
“I’m delighted to receive this award on the basis of long-term work carried out through international cooperation. Studying trees is important, but sometimes very slow and difficult, as they are large and long-lived. The openness of research and data is also close to my heart, and it’s nice that it too has been taken into consideration in the award. I think openness and transparency are the lifeblood of high-quality research,” Pyhäjärvi says.
Skilful teaching in physics and innovation
The teachers recognised with the Teaching Award are united by actively developing teaching and courses, as well as fostering an inspiring atmosphere that supports learning. Both are active contributors to development efforts in their field and work communities.
University Lecturer Szabolcs Galambosi from the Department of Agricultural Sciences has successfully broken down prejudices and dispelled fears associated with learning physics. His teaching innovations have received excellent feedback from students. Szabolcs also actively contributes to teaching development at the degree programme level, is involved as a specialist in projects and nurtures students’ AI skills.
“I consider it important that the topics and tools discussed in physics courses support students’ major subject–specific skills as effectively as possible. I’ve tried to engage students in learning, for example, through reflection assignments and polls during lectures, as well as through weekly calculation exercises completed together with other students and the teacher,” Galambosi says.
In her teaching, Professor Mari Sandell from the Department of Food and Nutrition combines multidisciplinarity, innovations and student orientation. The award was granted for her contribution to the development of teaching, support for students and establishment of employer connections.
“I’m genuinely surprised by this award – thank you! Innovation courses are associated with curiosity, creativity and a collaborative atmosphere across degree programme boundaries. Implementing the courses is also collaborative, and I would like to thank course participants, guest lecturers and those who have helped in the practical arrangements. The courses have also provided the teacher with inspiration and warm memories that will persist far into the future,” Sandell enthuses.
Influence Award to a young role model
The Influence Award was presented to nutrition specialist, Doctoral Researcher Idil Muhumed, particularly for her active communication to the target groups that science communication usually reaches least effectively. Muhumed strives to make research and research findings more accessible to diverse audiences, such as immigrants. She uses social media skilfully and has recently started working as a part-time journalist at the public broadcaster Yle, where she creates content for Finland’s Somali-speaking community.
Muhumed serves as an example of following your academic dreams for many girls, women and people from immigrant background in Finland and abroad.
“I find it important that research-based knowledge extends to the everyday life of ordinary people to enable informed decisions. It’s also essential that knowledge is accessible to all on an equal basis, and that educational level, financial circumstances or other underlying factors present no obstacle to taking advantage of research knowledge,” Muhumed says.