Jaakko Kaprio obtained his M.D. degree in 1976 and his Ph.D. in 1984 from the University of Helsinki. He has worked as a Visiting Scientist in the USA in several different universities. During 2007-2011 he was the Director of the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics. Since 2013 Kaprio has held an Academy of Finland professorship.
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Jaakko Kaprio is an internationally recognized and distinguished researcher. He has been in a key role in collecting several Finnish twin cohorts for the University of Helsinki and in planning the long-term follow-up studies of the twins. Kaprio’s own research area is genetic epidemiology. His central interests have been in the study of substance use and addictions, nicotine dependence in particular. Bu utilizing twin and family cohorts, Kaprio and his research group have identified genetic and environmental causes affecting smoking.
Kaprio succeeds Professor Olli Kallioniemi, who has been appointed as the Director of the Science for Life Laboratory in Sweden. Kallioniemi will, however, continue his research activities at FIMM/University of Helsinki.
t is a great honor for me to get the possibility to lead FIMM, which has developed into a top-quality, internationally recognized research institute thanks to Professor Kallioniemi, Jaakko Kaprio said.
According to Professor Aarno Palotie, Jaakko Kaprio’s research projects nicely complement the present human genomics expertise at FIMM.
It is magnificent that our new Director is a person whose scientific merits are exceptional and who has a broad, international vision. In addition, his research interests fit perfectly with the mission of FIMM, said Palotie.
The decision to select Jaakko Kaprio as the new Director of FIMM was easy since he has all the qualities we were looking for; knowledge and understanding of FIMM’s operational model, outstanding research expertise and leadership experience,” commented Professor Risto Renkonen, the chair of the Board of FIMM.
More information: Academy Professor Jaakko Kaprio, Tel. +358-50-415 1282, E-mail: jaakko.kaprio at helsinki.fi