People

The Helle research group consists of undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, and a PI.
Emmi Helle

Principal investigator

  • Pediatric cardioloogist (electrophysiology / inherited arrhythmias), Pediatrician 
  • Title of Docent, MD, PhD, MSc (Econ.)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Prof. Euan Ashley Lab, Stanford University CA, 2015-2017
  • Postdoctoral Research Rellow, Kivelä Lab, University of Helsinki, 2017-2019
  • Associated Clinical Researcher, Kivelä Lab, University of Helsinki, 2020-2022

  • Research Interests: Genetics of congenital heart disease, Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) defects, Patient-derived iPS cells in disease modeling, Environmental origin of congenital heart defects.

Emmi's Research Portal, Emmi's ORCID profile, Emmi's LinkedIn profile, emmi.helle@helsinki.fi
Minna Ampuja

Modeling congenital heart defects with human induced pluripotent stem cells

Postdoctoral researcher

  • PhD - University of Tampere
  • MSc - University of Tampere
  • Research interests: Endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, in vitro co-culture models, hiPS cells

Minna's Research Portal, Minna's ORCID profile, Minna's LinkedIn profile, minna.ampuja@helsinki.fi
Riitta Turunen

FINNPEDHEART - Unraveling the etiology of congenital heart defects - the role of maternal genetics and cardiovascular disease as a risk factor

Post-doctoral fellow

  • MD, University of Turku, Finland
  • PhD, Pediatrics, University of Turku, Finland
  • Research interests: congenital heart defects and how maternal diabetes and overweight are related to them, morbidity of children with congenital heart defects

 
Margarida Varela

Modeling congenital heart defects with human induced pluripotent stem cells

PhD Student

  • M.Sc. - Imperial College London (Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells - Novel Therapies)
  • B.Sc. - Middlesex University (Molecular Biology)
  • Research interests: Heart failure, patient-derived iPS cells in disease modeling, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocytes

margarida.varela@helsinki.fi
Sabina Selenius

Modeling congenital heart defects with human induced pluripotent stem cells

PhD Student

  • Medical student in the University of Helsinki
Hanna Malkamäki

PhD Student

  • MD - University of Helsinki, Finland
  • PhD Student - Pediatric cardiology, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • Research Interests: Congenital heart defects, population-based registry studies, Maternal cardiovascular health and congenital heart defects.
Ida Koivisto

FINNPEDHEART - Unraveling the etiology of congenital heart defects - the role of maternal genetics and cardiovascular disease as a risk factor

PhD Student

  • MD - Vilnius University, Lithuania
  • B.Sc (Midwifery) - Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
  • Research interests: Maternal metabolic diseases in pregnancy and their impact on neonatal and pediatric health
Eve Meriläinen

Student

  • PhD student in the University of Helsinki
Katja Salo

Laboratory Coordinator

  • B.Eng. (Food and Biotechnology) – Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
  • Experience in academic research groups and technology industry R&D
  • Interests: Lean working environments, efficient and consistent methods, and continuous development.
Thomas Seppänen

Student

  • Medical student in the University of Helsinki
  • Research interests: cardiomyocytes, patient-derived iPS cells in disease modeling.