Members

Canine Research: Members of the SOFTIS research group
Group Leader, PhD, Docent, Dipl. ECVS

Sari works as the corresponding soft tissue surgeon in the Small Animal Surgery Unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Helsinki. She is an EBVS European specialist in veterinary surgery. Sari's doctoral dissertation was completed in 2014 and dealt with the long-term treatment outcome and symptoms of chronic pain in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament surgery. The focus of her research is currently on the study of surgically treated diseases of the abdominal organs of dogs, regarding which one doctoral dissertation is currently being supervised and two are about to begin. In patient work, Sari's areas of expertise include ear surgery, tumor and laparoscopic surgery, thoracic surgery and demanding abdominal surgical procedures.

Outi Vapaavuori

Professor Outi Vapaavuori (formerly Laitinen-Vapaavuori), PhD, Dipl. ECVS

Outi works as a professor in the Small Animal Surgery Unit of the Department of Clinical Equine and Small Animal Medicine. She is an EBVS European specialist in veterinary surgery. As a professor, Outi oversees and supervises a large amount of research projects both in the areas of orthopedic and soft tissue surgery.

Mirja Kaimio

Mirja Kaimio, PhD, Finnish specialist in Small Animal Diseases

Mirja has completed her PhD in November 2021 on the prevalence and etiology of chronic otitis media in American Cocker Spaniels. Mirja works at Evidensia Animal Hospital. Her special interests are skin and ear diseases.

Tuuli Åhlberg

Tuuli Åhlberg, PhD, Hospital Veterinarian, Diagnostic Imaging, University Animal Hospital

Tuuli's doctoral dissertation on the etiology and surgical treatment of perineal hernia in male dogs was completed in June 2024. The study investigated the underlying causes of the disease and examined the surgical results by comparing two different surgical techniques. Tuuli's areas of interest are diagnostic imaging and soft tissue surgery in small animals.

 

Tuuli Åhlberg's contact details and research portal

Hanna Salonen

Hanna Salonen, PhD

Hanna defended her thesis on the findings of pelvic computed tomography in male dogs with perineal hernia in autumn 2024. In her thesis, she focused on examining perineal hernia disease from the perspective of diagnostic imaging. Hanna graduated as a Licentiate in Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Hanna has worked for a long time in the Diagnostic Imaging Unit of the University Animal Hospital and is currently a practitioner in the private sector. Hanna is particularly interested in computed tomography and ultrasound examinations

Anna Ylhäinen

Anna Ylhäinen,PhD researcher

Anna is writing her doctoral dissertation on the treatment of pyometra in female dogs at the University Animal Hospital. The research investigates the effect of a postoperative antimicrobials on surgical site and urinary tract infections, as well as the characteristics of the bacteria causing the infections. Anna graduated as a Licentiate of Veterinary Medicine in 2017, completed the small animal diseases internship program in 2018, and started the small animal diseases specialization program in the same year. In addition to her doctoral dissertation, she works in the emergency and intensive care unit of the University Small Animal Hospital. Her special interests include emergency care of small animals and soft tissue surgery. The doctoral dissertation is in the final stages and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

 

Anna Ylhäinen's contact details and research portal

 

Nina Peltokallio

Nina Peltokallio, PhD researcher, Finnish Specialist in Small Animal Diseases

 

Nina is writing her doctoral thesis on the biocompatibility of cellulose and its potential in the management of urinary incontinence in dogs. She works as a clinical instructor in soft tissue surgery in the Small Animal Surgery Unit. Nina has worked at the University Animal Hospital since 2011. Nina's doctoral dissertation is scheduled for completion in 2026.

 

Nina Peltokallio's contact details and research portal

Jenni Sukura

Jenni Sukura, DVM, Finnish Specialist in Small Animal Diseases

Jenni has been conducting research on the incidence of hepatic shunts in Miniature Schnauzers. Jenni graduated as a Licentiate of Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Helsinki in 2011. She completed the small animal disease internship program at the University Animal Hospital in 2012 and graduated as a small animal specialist in 2016. Jenni works at the University Animal Hospital in the Department of Internal Medicine, the Oncology Clinic and the Intensive Care Unit. Her special interests are internal medicine, especially liver and biliary tract diseases, and cancer.

Jenni Sukura's contact details and research portal