People

Read more about Salonen's group members
Anne Salonen

Principal investigator, Director of Human Microbiome Research Program

PhD, Docent

Anne Salonen has multidisciplinary training in biosciences and PhD in molecular virology (2004). She has studied human microbiomes since 2007. Her current research focuses on early life microbiota, microbiota-driven dietary response stratification and the role of vaginal microbiota in obstetric and gynaecological health.

Contact information:

anne.salonen@helsinki.fi

Willem M. de Vos

Emeritus Professor of Human Microbiomics and co-Principal Investigator of the HELMI birth cohort

Ching Jian

Post-doctoral researcher

My work explores host-microbe interactions, particularly in metabolic diseases and early-life gut microbiome development, aiming to inform therapeutic strategies. Beyond microbiome studies, I investigate the links between food processing and human health, striving to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions for improved planetary health.

 

Eveliina Hanski

Post-doctoral researcher

Eveliina Hanski's (PhD, 2023) research focuses on the drivers and consequences of gut microbiota maturation in early life. In particular, she studies the relative importance of pre and post-natal factors on the developing gut community, as well as whether microbiota maturation trajectories predict health outcomes.

Ilhan Cem Duru

Post-doctoral researcher

Cem Duru (PhD, 2022) is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in the gut microbiota's role in fiber degradation within the FIBRE-MATCH project. His work identifies distinct gut microbiome subtypes based on fiber degradation capabilities, gas production potential, and short-chain fatty acid production profiles. Using metagenomic sequencing and functional analysis, he characterizes these microbiome patterns to develop microbiota-matched dietary recommendations. His research aims to enhance fiber intake while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects.

Schahzad Saqib

Post-doctoral researcher

My project is part of the Sweet Crosstalk International Training Network and will explore the interactions between the vaginal microbiota and the cervicovaginal mucus in terms of health, HPV infection, and infertility. In the scope of this project we will utilize next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry techniques coupled with bioinformatics.

My research interests fall within cancer biology, immunology & the microbiome project with direct clinical applications. In terms of studies I have significant interests in neurosciences, organic chemistry, and quantum mechanics

Seppo Virtanen

MD, Post-doctoral researcher

Hanna Huuki

PhD, Visiting researcher

Kaisa Kervinen

MD, Doctoral researcher

Nima Fouladi Ghareshiran

Doctoral researcher

I graduated from the University of Padova in Italy with an M.Sc. in Biotechnology for Food Science, building on my Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. My fascination with microbiome research began during my undergraduate studies and has guided my academic journey ever since. As a PhD student in the HELMI cohort project, I aim to investigate the developmental trajectories of early-life gut microbiota and their associations with diet, parental microbiota, and metabolic health. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, swimming, playing volleyball and badminton, learning new skills, and exploring local cultures around the world.

Tuomas Heini

M.Sc., Research Technician, HUMI-coordinator

Tuomas (M.Sc.; B.Eng.) has worked as a Product Developer in dietary supplement industry and as a Research Technician in the University of Helsinki. His research has focused mainly on human microbiology and clinical nutrition.

Maria Norppa

M.Sc., Midwife, Research Assistant

Veera Kostamo

B.Sc., Research Assistant

Alumni mem­bers
  • Alise Ponsero, Katri Korpela, Pia Rasinkangas, Francois Douillard: Postdoctoral Researchers
  • Dollwin Matharu, Roosa Jokela, Afshan Saleem: Doctoral Researchers
  • Anastasia Galperina, Emilia Lahtinen, Sonja Kanerva, Prabin Koirala: MSc Students
  • Sophie Ouabbou: MD, MSc Student
  • Laura Degerstedt, Laura Huuskonen: Laboratory Technicians
  • Evgenia Dikareva, Tinja Kanerva: Human Microbiome Research Program (HUMI) Coordinators / Research Technicians
  • Kimmo Kontiainen, Jaana Valkeapää, Heli Suomalainen, Eevi Heitto, Janica Bergström, Anna Mantere: Study Nurses
  • Elina Häivälä, Anni Pöyliö, Annikka Alhokankare: Research Assistants