GROUP MEMBERS

Hi, my name is Risto Koivula and I have worked with ion exchangers since my graduation on radiochemistry in 1996 (M.Sc.). My first project concerned the removal of heavy metals from metal plating industry (Brite Euram EU-project 96-99) where chelating ion exchangers were used mainly as end-of-pipe polishing materials. Since then my focus has been on inorganic ion exchange materials. I got my PhD. (2003) from the selective removal of activated corrosion products from nuclear power plant waste waters utilizing highly selective metal oxides. The following years has been filled with different projects and innovations in the area of selective separations, working mainly with inorganic materials in association with nuclear and mining industry.

Over two decades work in the ion exchange group has deepened my knowledge and interest on the selective separations and educated me from the junior researcher into the group leader (2016) that I now am. This position allows me to seek out new materials and methods for selective separations and boldly use them in applications where they haven’t been used before.

Background and education

I originally come from the catalysis and green chemistry group of Helsinki university where I finished my Master’s project (2019). In my Masters’s thesis I was exploring the possibilities of carbon dioxide in the NHC-copper(I)-catalyzed synthesis of different carboxylic acids from unsaturated hydrocarbons. Organometallic chemistry, catalysis and CO₂ utilization in organic synthesis were the main topics when working in the catalysis group. During my studies I have worked as a research assistant in the catalysis group and participated in two publications. These publications were related to copper(I)-Schiff-base-complexes in order to oxidize alcohols in a more selective and efficient ways and preparation of pharmaceutically relevant cyclic carbamate structures. I also have experience as a teaching assistant from basic inorganic chemistry laboratory courses.

Current work

I started my PhD project in May 2019 in which I develop strategies for group separation of lanthanides and actinides. The focus is on porous inorganics combined to different f-metal selective organic functional groups which create a framework for Ac/Ln selective hybridmaterials.

Interests and skills

I have experience in basic analytical techniques, such as GC-MS, LC and NMR. I am excited to gain expertise in the field of radiochemistry and I am also interested in learning new different techniques, for example XAS and XRD.

Education and Background
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. My undergraduate research in the Natural Products Research Group involved isolating and structurally characterizing biologically active compounds from endophytic fungi. I worked as a Demonstrator at the University of Colombo before joining the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board as a Data Analyst and later entered the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service. I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka and am currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational and Development Psychology at the University of Colombo. In 2023, I completed the Master's Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences at the University of Helsinki, where my thesis involved fabricating and characterizing an electroactive ion exchange material for selective cesium removal.
 

Current Work
I work as a Technical Assistant in the Ion Exchange for Nuclear Waste Treatment and Recycling Group at the University of Helsinki, contributing to Fortum's research and development projects.
 

Research Interests
My current research focuses on the development and evaluation of ion exchange
materials and treatment technologies for radioactive waste. More broadly, my research interests include all aspects of radiochemistry.

Education and Background

I first joined the IX group in January 2022 to complete my Bachelor's thesis. Since then, I have worked as a research assistant in the group for three summers, assisting team members with various laboratory tasks. I graduated with a Master's degree in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences from the University of Helsinki in 2024. My Master's thesis was also carried out within the IX group, where I studied the functionalization of submicron ZrO2 fibers with phosphonic acid ligand and their application in lanthanide-actinide separation.

Current Work

I am currently working as a PhD student in a REMHub project. The goal is to develop ion-exchange materials selective for rare earth elements (REE). I aim to utilize these self-produced ion-exchange materials while also collaborating with other partners in the project to create hybrid materials. The project's main objective is to advance new recovery technologies from various secondary sources.

Education and background

I obtained my MSc in 2024 from Chemistry and Molecular Sciences programme at the University of Helsinki. During my studies, I worked in the radiochemistry laboratory at the Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant for two summers. I also worked at the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority as a summer worker on gamma measurements and continued to do my master’s thesis on method validation for a strontium-89/90 separation method from nuclear power plant effluents. After finishing my master’s, I continued with my PhD in the IX group later in 2024.

Current work

Currently, I am a PhD student in the IX group and working on the MOXSEAL project. The aim of the project is to develop an inorganic, metal oxide-based ion-exchanger for group separation of actinides and lanthanides from spent nuclear fuel.