Artturi Koivuniemi is a biophysicist specializing in the field of pharmacy and is currently serving as a principal Investigator leading the Lipoprotein Lab. He obtained his Master's degree in physical chemistry from the University of Helsinki, where he developed a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of chemistry and their applications. Building on his passion for biophysics, Artturi pursued a Ph.D. in biophysics, further delving into the interdisciplinary field that combines physics, biology, and medicine to understand biological systems at the molecular level. Throughout his academic journey, Artturi has gained valuable experience in both academic and industrial settings. He has worked several years at VTT, a research organization focused on industry-oriented research. Additionally, Artturi has been recognized as an Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Fellow, during which he conducted research at the University of Helsinki and University College Dublin, further expanding his expertise in the field. Currently, Artturi holds a position as an Academy of Finland Research Fellow for a duration of five years.
Akseli Niemelä is specialized in using computational models to explain biological phenomena. His overarching goal is to discover new therapeutic applications that involve the enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, and he has worked on this since 2019 largely via molecular dynamics simulations. After attaining a Master's degree in Pharmacy in 2022, he continues on as a doctoral researcher into the world of lipoproteins.
Laura Giorgi started her Doctoral studies is 2021. She got her Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies at the University of Padova (Italy). During the bachelor and master studies, her research has become increasingly focused on nanotechnology and drug delivery. Today, Laura carries out researcher in the field of cardiovascular diseases, trying to design and synthetize synthetic high-density lipoproteins (sHDL) with improved functionality for the treatment of atherosclerosis. At the same time, her research is involved in the application of sHDL as drug delivery systems for the treatment, prevention or imaging of several diseases.
Khalfa Benadouda is a doctoral researcher in the Lipoprotein Lab at the University of Helsinki. After completing his Master’s degree in Pharmacy in 2022, he joined the Lipoprotein Lab to pursue research on the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of lipoproteins. His work contributes to the group’s broader focus on understanding how lipoproteins and their associated enzymes and receptors. By combining biochemical and biophysical approaches, Benadouda aims to advance the development of HDL-mimetic systems and other lipoprotein-based strategies with potential therapeutic applications in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
Georgios Kolypetris is a molecular, computational and structural biologist working at the University of Helsinki, where he applies simulation and structural-biology methods to better understand protein systems and lipoprotein-related assemblies. His expertise spans molecular dynamics simulations, structural bioinformatics, and the design of peptide-based nanodiscs. In his role, Kolypetris contributes to mechanistic insights at the atomistic level, integrating computational modelling with experimental efforts to advance our understanding of lipoprotein function and therapeutic possibilities in lipid metabolism.
Sagar Dhakal is a master student in the Lipoprotein Lab, where he focuses on advanced lipoprotein and nanodisc-based systems research. His recent work includes contributions on plasma stability of synthetic high-density lipoprotein particles composed of apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides and phospholipids, systems designed to recreate HDL-like functionality, such as promoting cholesterol efflux and activating the enzyme Lecithin–cholesterol acyl‑transferase.
Master student
Master student
Gaia Petini completed her master’s degree in chemistry and pharmaceutical technologies at the University of Milan (Italy), graduating in October 2025. Her research focused on the effects of a synthetic HDL (CER-001, which is a compassionate-use drug) on a lipid and lipoprotein alterations in genetic LCAT deficiency. Her thesis work combined both laboratory-based biochemical research and clinical research conducted directly with patients affected by familial LCAT deficiency (FLD). Her post-graduation Erasmus period started in November 2025 and will end in June 2026.
Sirine Nouri, Postdoc
Ricky Nencini, PhD student
Ossi Natri, Master student
Granta Kleinauskaite, Master student
Paula Cortijo, Erasmus student
Menke de Leede, Erasmus student