Kangasjärvi was a Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Helsinki since 2003 and served as dean of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences from 2018 to 2024.
The memorial event brought together around a hundred people including current and former members of Kangasjärvi’s research group, the ox-stress, collaborators and friends from abroad, and colleagues from the University of Helsinki.
During the morning scientific symposium, Kangasjärvi’s contribution to science was first showcased in research presentations by alumni members Mikael Brosché, Hannes Kollist, Kirk Overmyer, Jarkko Salojärvi, Alexey Shapiguzov, Maija Sierla, Hannele Tuominen, Triin Vahisalu, Cezary Waszczak, and Michael Wrzaczek. The presentations spanned the entire spectrum of research carried out in Kangasjärvi’s group starting from its establishment in the 1990’s and continuing over three decades. His early realization that ozone can be used to uncover molecular mechanisms governing plant stress signalling and responses led to major discoveries in the field of reactive oxygen species biology, which were exemplified in the presentations. His research on birch and poplar genetics and physiology were also featured. The presentations highlighted the research by Kangasjärvi group as a whole and reflected Kangasjärvi’s ability to bring together and lead people that have a drive and passion for science, willingness to help each other, and work collaboratively for common goals.
Research presentations by the invited speakers, Professors Alistair Hetherington, Eva-Mari Aro, Frank Van Breusegem, Stanislaw Karpinski, and Phillip Mullineaux gave a retrospective to national and international collaborative projects as well as a glimpse into the ongoing research in these groups ranging from stomatal evolution to plant stress signalling processes.
The scientific symposium was followed by a commemoration and portrait unveiling event in the afternoon. Welcoming words were given by the Dean Craig Primmer, followed by the portrait unveiling, and portrait acceptance by Chancellor Kaarle Hämeri. Photographer Veikko Somerpuro gave an account on the process of taking portrait photographs and his experience with taking the portrait of Kangasjärvi following the initiation of his Deanship. There seemed to be a mutual feeling that the selected portrait is an apt representation that has captured Kangasjärvi’s calm, confident and kind nature, his love for nature and science, and his dedication to the University of Helsinki and scientific communities in general.
The afternoon session was concluded by a touching speech by Professor Alistair Hetherington that intertwined both professional and personal reflections on Jaakko’s career and character. Hetherington summarized and highlighted Kangasjärvi’s contribution to science which is best exemplified by the fact that he was ranked among the most Highly Cited Researchers in the world. Hetherington emphasized that apart from being a truly visionary scientist, Kangasjärvi had qualities that made him appreciated and liked by colleagues in his own research environment and around the world.
The portrait of Dean Jaakko Kangasjärvi is located in lecture hall 1402 in Biocenter 3 on the Viikki campus, as a part of the collection of portraits managed by Helsinki University Museum Flame.