HiLIFE is regulated by University regulations and HiLIFE-specific Rules of Procedure (pdf). Director is responsible for HiLIFE strategic plans, overall budget and human resources plan, and overseeing organization of evaluation of HiLIFE activities by HiLIFE Scientific Council. The Board, also nominated by the Rector, together with the director develops Institute's activities in accordance with the University’s strategy and recommendations of the Scientific Council that evaluates HiLIFE activities and organization in the context of the university, and provides recommendations on future plans and scientific directions.
HiLIFE contains the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Institute of Biotechnology (BI) and Neuroscience Center (NC) as units. Unit (BI/FIMM/NC) directors are responsible for their unit’s daily operations. Management team composed of HiLIFE director, unit directors, 1-4 experts on HiLIFE’s umbrella activities and the Head of administration that supports the director in preparing, implementing, and monitoring matters and decisions, and in internal and external communication and collaboration.
HiLIFE’s leadership and staff are supported by University Services so that academic community can focus on research, teaching, studying and public engagement.
HiLIFE Director Jari Koistinaho has overall responsibility of operations according to the University Regulations and HiLIFE Rules of Procedure and prepares matters for the Board. Jari's research focuses on modelling neurological and psychatric disorders using human iPSC-based cell model in vitro and in vivo.
Samuli Ripatti is an internationally recognised and distinguished researcher in human genetics whose educational background is in statistics. Throughout his career, his research focus has been on applying and developing biostatistical methods to address scientific questions in medical and population genetics. In 2013, Ripatti was appointed Professor of Biometry at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki. Furthermore, he is the director of the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics.
To contact Samuli Ripatti, please e-mail to: samuli.ripatti@helsinki.fi, or contact Susanna Rosas.
To contact Elisabeth Widen, please e-mail to: elisabeth.widen@helsinki.fi
Juha Huiskonen is the director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Professor of Structural Biology.
Huiskonen’s research group - Laboratory of Structural Biology (LSB) – aims at understanding the structure and function of biological macromolecules and their complexes, such as molecular machines and viruses.
To contact Juha Huiskonen, please email to bi-director@helsinki.fi
Maria Vartiainen is a research director at the Institute of Biotechnology and the scientific head of the Light Microscopy Unit (LMU) at BI.
Vartiainen’s research group studies the mechanisms that mediate the dynamic organization of the cell nucleus, with special emphasis on the role of actin in this process.
P.O 21, Haartmaninkatu 8, Biomedicum 1, 2. floor, Room B222b
FI-00014 University of Helsinki
satu.palva@helsinki.fi
P.O 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8)
FI-00014 University of Helsinki
sari.lauri@helsinki.fi
According to the Rules of Procedure the board consists of 5-9 members representing high quality research. 1-2 members represent interaction partners of the university. HiLIFE personnel selects one member and a personal deputy. Doctoral students at the University of Helsinki select one member and a personal deputy for a two year term.
HiLIFE Board 1.8.2024-31.7.2028
The HiLIFE Scientific Council supports the HiLIFE Board and leadership in developing activities and scientific directions. The Council is appointed for four year terms and consists of 8-10 external internationally accomplished life science area researchers and leaders.
The duties of the Scientific Council are to
HiLIFE Scientific Council 1 June 2022 - 31 December 2026
Chair:
Members:
Invited expert members:
Representatives of HiLIFE Units’ Scientific Advisory Boards (SABs)
Alumni:
The FIMM SAB consists of seven internationally recognized experts in the institute's fields of research and technological activities.
SAB visits FIMM every two years. Based on the visit and documentation provided beforehand, the SAB prepares an evaluation report.
FIMM SAB for the term 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2026
Chair
Members
Institute of Biotechnology SAB for the term 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2026:
Chair:
Members:
Neuroscience Center (NC) SAB for the term 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2026:
Chair:
Members:
Alumni: