On 13 February 2025, University of Helsinki’s Kipinä Future Forum published its first list of 30 promising individuals aged 30 or under from different domains. Featured on the list are researchers, entrepreneurs and social commentators, each with ties to the University.
The list was compiled to highlight the varied impact of young people from our multidisciplinary University on different walks of life. We wish to bring to the fore young people whose work, research or other activities have impressed and inspired. The aim is also to encourage both current and future students to see the multitude of ways in which the knowledge and skills acquired at the University can lead to opportunities.
The listed talents are united by not only their outstanding contributions to the world but also their commitment to positively impacting their community and society.
The list was compiled from nominations put forward by the University community.
Graduated with a Master of Science degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science in 2021.
Alexander moved to Finland in 2019 to study astrophysics in the Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at the University of Helsinki. He had previously completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Queensland in his native Australia. He applied to the Finnish master’s programme because of the exciting opportunities it offers and started his doctoral research as soon as he had finished his master’s degree. His research involves modelling the evolution of galaxies and the supermassive black holes located at their centres. Supermassive black holes have significantly influenced, for example, the shaping and evolution of galaxies. Although the precise process by which these black holes form remains partially unclear, they have undoubtedly had a major influence on galactic structures.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “I’m really proud of our research group’s latest article, which is part of my doctoral thesis. It was a wonderful example of collaboration between experienced researchers and young students.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’m proud, for example, of how I moved across the globe and succeeded in settling into a new culture. More recently I’ve been learning to dance.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Food Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in 2019.
Annika developed the plant-based ice cream brand Friidu with her business partner Francesca Åström. In 2023 they participated in Leijonan luola, the Finnish version of the reality television business programme Dragons’ Den, and secured €300,000, the biggest investment in the programme’s history by that point. The idea behind Friidu was born of frustration: Annika and her business partner were tired of seeing only poorly designed plant-based ice creams available to those with no other options. They wanted to create one so flavourful that it could pass for a dairy product. Annika envisions a future Finland where plant-based products are regarded as ordinary, wholesome food for everyone rather than a dietary exception. She is currently studying in the Master’s Programme in Food Sciences at the University of Helsinki.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “We embraced the failure of our first ice cream brand, Härtelö, and used the best bits and lessons learned to create Friidu.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I found the strength to continue working on my master’s thesis after thinking I had given up years ago!”
Annika is a health-tech growth entrepreneur and student in the University of Helsinki’s Bachelor’s Programme in Molecular Biosciences.
Her company is developing a small device intended for consumers and the healthcare sector to analyse the stress hormone cortisol in the user’s saliva. Stress takes a toll on mental health. Annika is committed to offering a more efficient means of accessing care, especially for mental health issues, through remote health testing solutions. Her company has completed its first funding round and is now focusing on product development. Annika lives in San Francisco, where she moved to develop her business. In 2018 she was the first Nordic woman to secure a place in table tennis in the Youth Olympic Games.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “That my company raised $500,000 in its first funding round. Unwavering determination in the face of setbacks, hard work crafting a strategy and a deep belief in my abilities have formed a solid foundation for all my endeavours.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.”
Geography student at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science.
Though young, Atte has been an inspiring figure in civic engagement for several years now. He made the headlines at the age of 16 as Finland’s best-known pupil on climate strike. He attended school four days a week in his home municipality Jokioinen, striking publicly for the climate on Fridays and inspiring others to join him. Today, his advocacy focuses on climate issues, sustainable development and inequality. Atte is a prominent public figure on both social media and the Representative Council of the University’s Student Union. He is studying in the Bachelor’s Programme in Geography at the Faculty of Science and sees geography as an avenue to explore the world from both scientific and humanistic perspectives.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Organising the first international climate strike in 2019. We anticipated a few hundred attendees, but thousands of schoolchildren showed up, filling Senate Square.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve learned to knit properly. I knit everything from socks to jumpers, and it’s one of my key stress-relieving hobbies.”
Graduated with a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2023.
Benjamin is an animal rights activist and founding member of an organisation working for animal rights. He turned to activism after gaining insight into the contradictory treatment of animals in our society. He considers animal production a blind spot of our time, often evading scrutiny. Benjamin recently co-authored the non-fiction book Rakkaat eläimet, joita syömme (The Beloved Animals We Eat) with Pavel Tahkovuori. The book highlights tangible and sustainable solutions for overhauling food production. Benjamin is confident that the future of Finnish food production will be plant-based and talks about a just food transition. His ultimate goal is a world without the animal industry.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Thanks to my efforts, many Finnish student unions, organisations and other bodies have drawn up guidelines for plant-based catering, committing to serve fully vegan food at events.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Having the chance to work on something that feels more like a labour of love than a job.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences in 2023.
Elina is a pole vaulter and a molecular biosciences student at the University of Helsinki. In the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, she was among Finland’s most successful athletes, coming in fourth in women’s pole vault. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Elina made it to the final, ultimately finishing in joint 14th. She has won the pole vault event in the Finland–Sweden Athletics International in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Elina’s curiosity as an elite athlete about the functioning of the human body motivated her to study molecular biosciences, a discipline that looks beyond the surface. At present, Elina prioritises her athletics career: for the next four years, until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, she will limit her academic pursuits to what her sports schedule allows.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Finishing fourth in the European Championships and making the final in the Olympics.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Successfully balancing my studies and athletics career.”
Graduated with a Master of Arts (Education) degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Educational Sciences in 2022.
Ella is a researcher in the Doctoral Programme in School, Education, Society and Culture. Her doctoral thesis examines how the language skills of pupils who have recently arrived in Finland develop through school interactions and how socialisation in the new language could best be assessed and supported. She is also involved in a project developing a digital tool for assessing the literacy skills of newly arrived pupils.
Ella has had the opportunity to present her research topic at conferences, schools and training sessions and to research networks. She has always been interested in people and language and first studied class teacher education. After gaining familiarity with her research topic when writing her master’s thesis, she sought to further explore it in her doctoral work. Ella believes that mastering the language of school instruction and supporting the participation of newly arrived children are crucial for society and individuals alike.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Acquiring new knowledge, contributing to research and shaping society. Interaction with others is important, as research seldom happens in isolation.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I cherish and make time for my family and friends. My greatest ‘achievement’ outside work is building and sustaining meaningful relationships with others.”
Graduated with a Master of Science (Pharmacy) degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Pharmacy in 2021 and with a Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy) degree from the same faculty in 2024
Elle is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki. Her doctoral thesis focused on the use of nanofibrillated cellulose made of Finnish birch wood for skin substitutes. During her doctoral studies, she was also involved in developing three patentable inventions with the forest industry company UPM. As a researcher, Elle strives to solve challenges surrounding wound care. The body’s ability to heal wounds is among its most intricate processes, and a chronic wound may result in significant health complications. Elle notes that the prevalence of wounds has been described as a silent epidemic and their treatment is a key factor in the overall cost of healthcare. From the beginning of her research career, she has been fascinated by the development of sustainable solutions and Finnish wound care materials.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Completing my doctoral thesis and extending the research from it into both my future career and product development for wound care.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve realised some of my long-term dreams and found success in sport and everyday endeavours. All this has shaped me into a person who is persistent, self-assured and occasionally temperamental too.”
Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in the Bachelor’s Programme in Politics, Media and Communication at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences.
Emilia is a regular panellist in the Jälkiviisaat segment of the Aamu-tv programme on Yle (Finnish public service media company), discussing the week’s current topics. She was just 20 when she started in the programme, becoming the youngest panellist in its history. She is passionate about equality policy and education policy, viewing them as the cornerstones of Finnish society. Her other priorities include EU policy and international cooperation. While Emilia has not mapped out specific career plans, she has a keen interest in public engagement. She previously chaired the Union of Upper Secondary School Students in Finland.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Chairing the Union of Upper Secondary School Students, a role that allowed me to significantly shape the Covid debate in Finland.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “When I left the countryside to attend a general upper secondary school in Helsinki at age 16, I didn’t really know anyone here. I’ve created my own community and career and a life that feels true to who I am.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law in 2023.
Erik was previously the CEO of the student venture capital investment company Wave Ventures. He is currently establishing his own startup to facilitate sustainable consumption by automating the second-hand market. Erik is motivated by the idea of his own company resolving a major global issue. He considered starting a business in 2022, but the opportunity to support young entrepreneurs was simply too interesting to miss. Within two years, Erik and his colleagues succeeded in helping 20 young teams start their business and raise money through a first funding round.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “I had a lot of fun in 2022 setting up Europe’s biggest ever student-led venture capital fund, meaning a fund aimed at startup entrepreneurs. I enjoyed becoming Finland’s most active venture capital investor in 2023 even more. But I’m proudest of the teams I got to help during this period.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I take the greatest pride and find the most happiness in the meaningful relationships I’ve built.”
Studies social sciences at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences.
In 2024 Iida participated in her first Paralympic Games, in Paris, where she finished fourth in the long jump. She also competes in running in the T12 category intended for runners with a severe visual impairment.
Iida is a two-time junior world champion, having won the World Junior Championships in Athletics in both long jump and 400 metres. In addition, she is a European champion at 400 metres. Iida is studying in the University of Helsinki’s Bachelor’s Programme in Social Research. For her, the most interesting aspect of her studies has been learning how to better analyse perspectives on inequality. She believes social attitudes should be transformed to more automatically factor in physical and digital accessibility. In her future career, she aspires to influence the opportunities of children with disabilities.
What is your career biggest achievement to date? “It’s too early to say for sure.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “How I’m fulfilling my dreams in both athletics and education. I couldn’t do it without a close support network.”
Graduated with a Master of Laws degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law in 2023 and with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree from the University of Eastern Finland in 2024.
Iida combined her two interests – law and psychology – in her master’s thesis in law on the psychological strain of criminal proceedings. She studied how the burden of such proceedings could be eased with legal technology and design. The National Court Administration took an interest and invited her to present her findings.
Iida is now pursuing a Master of Science (Psychology) degree at the University of Eastern Finland. She is writing her master’s thesis on sexual crimes against children in the Tor network, focusing on issues including offenders’ motives. She hopes to find ways to intervene in criminal activity as early as possible. Iida established her own law office immediately after completing her Master of Laws degree. She wanted a career that would allow her to shape society and promote social justice.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Starting my own company.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “My little first-born child.”
Graduated with a Master of Arts (Education) degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Educational Sciences in 2024.
Inka started her doctoral research in education as soon as she had finished her master’s degree. In her master’s thesis, she examined how the use of ICT affected the 2022 PISA results in different countries; her doctoral thesis centres on the same topic. She discovered in her master’s thesis that in Finland a pupil’s high self-efficacy rating as an ICT user correlated with a higher PISA score in various subjects and believes therefore that schools must boost pupils’ confidence in their ability to use digital tools. She decided to study education after working in the field for years.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Securing a salaried doctoral researcher position in my dream field from among almost 200 applicants and generating new research-based knowledge on topics important to Finnish education.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve built a fulfilling and stable life, surrounded by loved ones and my amazing dog.”
Graduated with a Master of Food Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in spring 2024.
Isa works at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in Viikki Food Design Factory, a service developing a sustainable food system. She has been an academic mentor, for example, in the international nine-month product development course EIT Food Solutions. Isa considers it important to examine the food system to ensure the future sufficiency of food, both in Finland and globally. Current challenges to the food system include climate change and wars. Isa enjoys her work with food, as it incorporates many themes that fascinate her, such as primary production, processing, product development, consumer research, brand building, sales and export.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Being invited to speak at the EU’s Food 2030 conference in Brussels, where topics of discussion included the future of the food system.”
What about your most significant personal achievement?
“I’ve developed a strong intuition about relationships. It helped me find my way back to my future husband after a year’s separation.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2023.
Jenni studies world politics in the Master’s Programme in Political Science and Communication at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences. In spring 2024, she participated in the Faculty’s Women in Global Security exchange programme, funded by the US Embassy in Finland. The programme sought to encourage women’s democratically vital participation in diplomacy, conflict resolution and defence. Jenni applied to join the programme because she views the conditions, challenges and advancement of women’s participation as important both personally and socially.
She is currently pursuing another master’s degree in a strategic management programme at Aalto University. In addition to understanding social and global phenomena, she wishes to learn more about how organisations can respond to changes around the world. Jenni has chaired the board of Valta, the association of the University of Helsinki’s politics, media and communication students.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Participating in the exchange programme and succeeding in my studies. In addition, the chance to do something for our student community as the chair of the subject association felt especially meaningful.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’m still working towards my goals and focused on achieving them in the long run.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law in 2023.
After working as a political journalist at the Helsingin Sanomat daily, Joona began in his new post as head of stakeholder relations at the Confederation of Finnish Industries in February. Following his original interest in studying history or social sciences, Joona ultimately felt that a law degree offered the broadest range of options for his future career.
In his work as a political journalist, he noticed that legal studies supported the work, and vice versa, as law and politics are intertwined in many ways. Legal science in general provides a framework for the functioning of society and, for example, politics. According to Joona, this is why understanding law also helps us understand society. The most interesting aspects of his studies were content related to international law, constitutional law and European law.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “I’ve had the chance to do things that I find meaningful. I’ve never struggled with leaving for work in the morning. I hope this achievement will last until the end of my career.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “My ability to enjoy it.”
Graduated with a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2023.
Juuso has always been motivated by the desire to understand how the European Union functions and how its decisions are reflected in both the everyday lives of citizens and the global reality. He therefore decided to apply for a job in a place where important decisions are made. At first, he worked at the European Parliament as an assistant to a Finnish MEP. After that, he became a member of a cabinet at the European Court of Auditors, and is currently Special Adviser in EU Affairs to the Prime Minister.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Participation in tripartite negotiations in connection with the establishment of the Ukraine Facility.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve been extremely lucky to have a strong support network in my life that has made it possible to pursue my dreams. I’ve also had wonderful colleagues over the years, with whom I have had the opportunity to share the successes and failures of professional life.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts in 2024.
Karun is a master’s student in art studies at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts, and an award-winning photo artist. With his art, he wishes to challenge established ways of seeing and thinking, as well as eliminate confrontation. In his ‘The Dreaded Youth’ series of works, which received a lot of attention, he depicted racialised young men in Helsinki in places where they spend their time, such as the underground. He wanted to give a voice and a face to people who are discussed in the debate on crime and gangs without giving them the floor.
The series has been featured in, for example, the Generation 2023 exhibition at Amos Rex, Cultural Centre Kaisa and Kiasma Theatre’s URB urban festival. Karun won the Youth Peace Prize in 2024 with his series for promoting peace, an award presented by YMCA Finland every other year.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? "I have had the opportunity to influence through art things that matter to me. My works have been exhibited in many places, and extensive media coverage has brought them to a wide audience and provoked considerable debate."
What about your most significant personal achievement? “It’s hard to choose, but at least crossing the marathon finishing line made me feel like anything was possible!”
Graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts in 2023.
Krista began her postgraduate studies in the Doctoral Programme in Language Studies right after graduation. For her doctoral thesis, she received a four-year grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation in 2024. In her research, Krista examines equal language use in French-language political discourse. The French language has masculine and feminine forms, and in the case of humans, the former are used in general references to all individuals regardless of gender. However, to avoid generic masculine forms, a range of linguistic methods that take into account women and nonbinary individuals have been introduced into the French language. Krista investigates the use of these methods and related attitudes in politics. French is an internationally important language, which motivates Krista to study and learn more about it.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “When I got started as a doctoral researcher and took my first steps in my research career.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Courage to follow my dreams: I had the courage to move from Oulu to Helsinki to study, and later I also lived in France for a while as an exchange student.”
Graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts in 2019.
In her doctoral thesis in history, Lotta is currently investigating cultural notions of health and physical activity in 19th-century England from the perspectives of gender and corporeality. She produces the popular ‘Menneisyyden jäljillä’ history podcast. Lotta believes that the roots of history always affect the ways in which people act and think in the present day. According to her, the accessible knowledge pertaining to the past provided by historians is important so that history is not misused, for example, for political purposes. With her podcast, Lotta won the Science Communications Award in 2024 bestowed by the Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists. The award was presented for Lotta’s professional approach and the current topic of the podcast. Lotta is also a FIFA football referee active on international pitches.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “The award given to my podcast was a very significant recognition for me.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “When I do something, I do it properly and with care. This is the attitude I intend to continue to hold on to, whether it’s about work or other things.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science in 2024.
Mikko studies in the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods at the University of Helsinki. His bachelor’s thesis was named the best in the world in the 2024 Global Undergraduate Awards. The aim of the international competition is to highlight the skills of bachelor’s students around the world. More than 400 higher education institutions participate in the competition, and prizes are given to theses in 25 disciplines. Mikko’s bachelor’s thesis combined particle physics and astronomy. He wrote the thesis under the supervision of Academy Research Fellow Risto Paatelainen. Mikko received the award for studying the quantum field theory of the strong interaction under extreme pressure. At the moment, Mikko is working on his master’s thesis in the same field. He dreams of a career as a researcher, as he is curious about understanding the essence of nature.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Winning the Global Undergraduate Awards competition.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve managed to surround myself with wonderful people who make my life happy.”
Graduated with a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2022
Milja is a member in a working group appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, which is preparing a government strategy for research on and the development and utilisation of quantum technologies. She is also a national delegate in the NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community. Quantum computing will solve future computing problems that are currently too challenging for humanity.
For Milja, the most meaningful part of her work is the opportunity to collaborate with thinkers whom she considers to be among the world's sharpest and boldest. It also has its challenges: Milja works in the technology and security sectors as a young woman whose background is in the social sciences, not in, for example, engineering or mathematics. Milja makes the effort to ask herself ‘Why not me?’ instead of ‘What am I doing here?’.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Working in an academic field full of doctoral expertise, I feel like I have a unique vantage point to the world. With their ideas, the people around me are opening up new perspectives that can also offer me a new dimension to examining society, the universe and the nature of being.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “My greatest achievement has been learning to define myself without external titles or merits.”
Graduated with a Master of Science degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science in 2021 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Turku in 2023.
Olli already completed courses in mathematics at the University of Helsinki as a general upper secondary school student. At the age of 19, he graduated with a master's degree after studying for two years. Originally, Olli became interested in mathematics as a child thanks to puzzle books, chess and computer games, activities encouraged by his mother. Olli received his doctorate from the University of Turku, again after two years of studies.
In his first year at university, he wrote a guide for hobbyists involved in competitive maths. Olli has also taught mathematics to young people. He sees mathematics as a core tool similar to literacy. In research he focuses on the tests and precautions needed to make the release and use of AI systems secure. The development of AI systems whose capabilities surpass those of humans will be a turning point in history. For reasons of security, such systems must remain under human control.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “I found that an AI solution was hiding its abilities from humans to avoid causing concern.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’ve enjoyed learning more and more about the world – for me, education has not been limited to school. Lately, I’ve been studying economics.”
Graduated with a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2023.
Oskari is an active contributor to public discussion who has spoken and written a lot about the equal human rights of sexual minorities in particular. He also contributed to the expert hearing of the legal affairs committee of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland on reforming the church order to include a provision on parallel notions of marriage, with one of the two being gender neutral.
Studies in the Study Track in Economic and Social History laid a solid foundation for Oskari’s passion for making the world a better place. He believes that the best societies provide people with the opportunity to live lives that they feel comfortable with. He wishes to contribute to a reality where everyone has the freedom and the opportunity to choose the direction of their lives. The enormous attention attracted by the discussion on the church’s concept of marriage came as a surprise to him, producing, in addition to praise, unpleasant feedback. However, Oskari wanted to be a voice heard in the discussion also for those who do not have the opportunity to defend their rights.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “In a relatively short period of time, I’ve managed to establish a unique and diverse career path, as well as accumulated significant responsibility in a large international company.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Definitely finding a balance and an understanding of who I am and what kind of life I want to lead.”
Graduated with a Master of Theology degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Theology in 2023.
Pastor Petja of the Evangelical Lutheran Paavali parish in Helsinki is an active voice on TikTok. His humorous videos of a pastor's work and the state of the parishes have gained a lot of followers and provoked even critical discussion. As a pastor, Petja wishes to develop the church through example and demonstrate that it belongs to everyone. Petja has tried to highlight sexual and gender minorities in particular and to talk about their status in the church. Petja also wishes to engender hope amid hopelessness: in his speeches he emphasises a better tomorrow, while his social media videos aim to create joy. From his perspective, the church has always represented counterculture, a tradition Petja finds important to hold on to.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “Definitely my work on TikTok. I’ve had the chance to influence opinions and change attitudes towards Christianity – and, hopefully, also attitudes within the church, for example, towards different population groups.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “If a 15-year-old Petja knew what a 27-year-old Petja is doing, he would be extremely proud. Surprised but proud.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science in 2023.
Roope studies programming in the Master’s Programme in Computer Science at the University of Helsinki. Already in general upper secondary school, he was invited to work at Google. The winner of the Datatähti competition in 2020, Roope currently organises the competition. Datatähti is an algorithm design competition targeted at comprehensive school pupils and general upper secondary school students. Those who have done well in the competition have typically embarked on international careers. Roope has been interested in technology, computers and programming from a young age. He thought that studies in the field would make it possible for him to advance his skills and meet like-minded people. Right now, the field is transforming the world particularly quickly through developments such as digitalisation and AI. As one future job opportunity, Roope is interested in quantum computing.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “I wouldn’t say that I’ve achieved anything great. Rather, my work progresses piece by piece. The achievements I’m proud of are primarily technical.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I’m relaxed about my free time, and not that goal-oriented.”
Studied medicine at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Medicine. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree from Aalto University in 2020.
Sam is one of the founders of Solu, a Finnish growth company in the biotech sector. Established in 2022, the company develops software for analysing microbial genomes. Genomics helps to understand the spread of infections. Such information can be used to prevent, for example, microbial drug resistance, or a situation where antibiotics are no longer effective against pathogens. It is a global health threat.
Sam has seen the effects of antibiotic resistance in practice when someone close to him fell ill but the drugs were ineffective. It motivated Sam to continue his efforts. The company has customers in several countries.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “The courage to found Solu. It took a difficult decision to put my studies, work and other aspects of life on hold for a while.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “Hiking across the Alps in the summer of 2022, just before Solu got started.”
Graduated with a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 2024.
Sanchi arrived in Finland in 2022 to study sociology in the Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies at the University of Helsinki. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Mumbai’s St. Xavier’s College in 2020 in her native India. In her master’s thesis, Sanchi studied the experiences of employees of Indian businesses who identify as queer. Sanchi has worked as an international student advisor in a project launched by the University of Helsinki in 2023. She also volunteers in the Helsinki Pride organisation, as she considers it important to contribute to the establishment of safe spaces for international queer people in Finnish society. At the moment, Sanchi is in the process of founding a company called Beyond Wool, which develops non-animal alternatives to traditional wool scarves.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “The opportunity to work in different roles: on the one hand, as a sociologist who wishes to make jobs increasingly diverse and, on the other, as an entrepreneur in the field of sustainable fashion.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “I'm proud that I’ve moved to another country whose culture I’ve adapted to, while preserving my personal values and identity.”
Graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Medicine in 2023.
Suvi is an active junior researcher whose research project investigates the hunger–satiety mechanism of the human brain. Her goal is to understand the causes of obesity and develop new accessible obesity drugs for patients. Suvi is pursuing a Licentiate of Medicine degree for the fourth year in the PhD Study Track, while completing doctoral studies in medicine at the same time. Suvi also serves as a small-group teacher for other students at the Department of Pharmacology. She was admitted directly to the Faculty of Medicine thanks to top marks in her matriculation examination. As an obesity researcher, she believes that public health depends on halting the obesity pandemic in the near future and on a global scale. In the future, Suvi wishes to be involved in both clinical work and research.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? “As an MD-PhD student, my biggest achievement is the successful launch of my own research project. I've secured significant grants for my project and initiated a new experimental research project in Finland.”
What about your most significant personal achievement? “One of my greatest achievements in life is the fact that members of my first Cub Scout group have themselves become leaders of new cubs.”
Graduated with a Licentiate of Medicine degree from the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Medicine in 2024.
Zahra contributes to public discussion on, among other topics, racism. She has graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of Helsinki and currently works in emergency care. In public, Zahra has particularly talked about the right of Muslim women to dress as they wish and wear the hijab. She finds it particularly rewarding to provide care to immigrant patients. Through her work, she hopes to be able to make Finnish healthcare increasingly equal and influence people’s perceptions of doctors. In the future, Zahra’s dream is to work at the UN, for example, reforming healthcare and women’s rights in developing countries. Her role model is Sima Samar, an Afghan politician, human rights activist and doctor.
What is your biggest career achievement to date? What about your most significant personal achievement? “I hope my biggest accomplishments are yet to come.”
Sara Holappa
sara.holappa@helsinki.fi
communications specialist, public relations, University of Helsinki