The University of Helsinki has presented doctoral thesis awards to Simon Andersson, PhD; Bonnie Nilhamn-Kuosmanen, PhD; Joona Sarkkinen, MD; and Solja Säde, PhD, each of whom defended their thesis in 2025.
The awards were presented at the Summer Fest for doctoral researchers on 28 June, where University Researcher Fredric Granberg, Academy Professor Jukka Jernvall, Associate Professor Kristiina Karhu and Research Director Mari Tervaniemi also received Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Awards.
Award-winning theses open new perspectives on history, health and technology
The University annually recognises doctoral theses of outstanding merit. This year’s recipients were selected by Vice-Rector for Research Anne Portaankorva among nominations from each faculty, with the awards, each worth €4,000, presented by Minna Palander-Collin, Director of the University’s Doctoral School.
Fresh insights into the biology of ageing
Simon Andersson’s doctoral thesis ‘
The thesis offers fresh insights into the biology of tissue regeneration and ageing. It also opens avenues for applied research, such as developing treatment strategies aimed at maintaining tissue function and reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Overall, the thesis is exceptionally mature and of outstanding international quality.
Unique dataset illuminates early Neolithic community choices
Bonnie Nilhamn-Kuosmanen’s doctoral thesis ‘
Drawing on an extensive dataset from Tell Sabi Abyad, the thesis finds that plaster ware was not a precursor to ceramics but a concurrent material technology and that its abandonment represented a significant cultural and technological transition.
With its exceptionally multidisciplinary approach, the thesis sets a lasting benchmark for the field while making a unique dataset widely available to the international research community. In doing so, it also plays an important role in preserving and advancing the understanding of our shared cultural heritage, particularly given that much of the original archaeological record in Syria has already been destroyed or rendered inaccessible by conflict and looting.
Deeper understanding of the onset of multiple sclerosis
Joona Sarkkinen’s doctoral thesis ‘
Drawing on innovative techniques such as ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, well established in cancer diagnostics, alongside single-cell sequencing, the thesis yields findings that open new avenues for diagnostics and treatment development, further deepening understanding of MS pathogenesis. The thesis is of the highest international quality.
Towards more reliable chemical forensics
Solja Säde’s doctoral thesis ‘
By developing new analytical methods, the thesis advances the reliability of forensics analysis. It also carries significant implications for the field, contributing to international security and chemical weapons disarmament.
Säde has shown exceptional leadership in coordinating extensive collaborative projects at 11 international laboratories and carrying out multi-laboratory studies. The international impact of her thesis is underpinned by its scientific originality, methodological rigour and the responsible handling of a highly sensitive research area.
Each year, the University of Helsinki Doctoral School recognises outstanding thesis supervisors to raise awareness of good supervision practices. Now in its third year, the Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Awards are nominated by doctoral researchers. The recipients were selected by a committee comprising Director Minna Palander-Collin, University Lecturer Mar Cabeza, and Doctoral Researchers Sara Pyykölä and Felicity Etinosa Osemwowa.
This year, Palander-Collin presented awards to four supervisors. Among the multiple qualities they share, the most prominent is a strong and wide-ranging commitment to doctoral researcher wellbeing.
University Researcher Fredric Granberg
Fredric Granberg of the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science is distinguished as a doctoral supervisor by his daily hands-on availability and especially for his strong emphasis on doctoral researcher wellbeing over productivity. His distinctive approach is neatly captured by his own phrase “You matter more than your output”.
Granberg supports the professional development of doctoral researchers by advocating for their visibility in the international research community and engaging in structured career discussions toward the end of their doctorate. Through sustained, humane and rigorous supervision, he consistently cultivates confident, independent researchers and enables doctoral candidates not only to complete their degrees, but to thrive.
Academy Professor Jukka Jernvall
Academy Professor Jukka Jernvall of the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the Faculty of Science is described by his doctoral researchers as an exceptionally inspiring, humane and principled supervisor who combines a strong scientific vision with a deep personal commitment to their growth.
His doctoral researchers highlight his ‘gardener rather than carpenter’ philosophy as his most unique quality. This means that he nurtures each doctoral researcher’s potential organically rather than shaping them to a fixed model.
Jernvall is also noted for pairing a strong scientific vision with principled, values-based supervision, and for supervising across faculty and campus boundaries.
Associate Professor Kristiina Karhu
Associate Professor of Forestry Kristiina Karhu of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry stands out as a doctoral supervisor for her combination of reliability, emotional steadiness and practical support, and especially for her sustained efforts to secure funding and stability for doctoral researchers.
As part of her compassionate approach, she is known for reassuring her doctoral researchers in moments of difficulty, often reminding them: “It’s not your fault – drop it and move forward.” This message encapsulates her commitment to supporting wellbeing and encourages resilience, helping doctoral researchers to focus on progress rather than setbacks.
Through her professionalism, fairness and human-centred approach, Karhu enables doctoral researchers not only to complete their degrees, but to grow into capable, confident scholars.
Research Director Mari Tervaniemi
Doctoral researchers describe Research Director Mari Tervaniemi of the Faculty of Educational Sciences as an exceptionally dedicated, empathetic and inspiring supervisor who consistently combines academic excellence with profound human care.
Spanning over two decades of supervision, her work has been distinguished by its interdisciplinarity, as she has guided doctoral researchers from a wide array of backgrounds across the Faculties of Educational Sciences, Humanities and Medicine. She tailors her supervision to each doctoral researcher’s individual background and circumstances, creating a psychologically safe, inclusive and non-competitive research environment where confidence, integrity and independence can flourish.
Her active commitment to networking, collaboration and career development – together with her strong encouragement of a healthy work-life balance – has had a lasting impact on doctoral researchers well beyond their doctorate.