Our group members
I was trained as a geneticist and molecular biologist at the University of Helsinki. I obtained my PhD in the field of molecular virology, but after joining Irma Thesleff's lab as a post-doc, there was no going back, and I have been fascinated by the wonders of embryonic development now for more than 25 years.
Currently (2026-2029), I am the director of the
If you don't find me in Viikki Biocenter 2, you will find me in my garden.
My doctoral research focused on the early cellular and molecular features of hair follicle morphogenesis. In particular, I am interested in understand how cells could acquire hair follicle cell fate and which factors could play a meaningful role in this organogenesis-driving mechanism. Understanding how cells are able to acquire a specific cell-fate during development can indeed improve knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the reprogramming process and it can also shed light on new regenerative therapies for their use in medicine.
I pursued my M.Sc. degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Pavia (Italy) in 2018. In March 2019, I moved to Finland to start my Ph.D. studies in Marja Mikkola’s lab. On my own time, I enjoy reading books, drawing and painting in the nature.
My priority is that everything is going smoothly in the Lab and keep researchers happy. I am currently working part-time.