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.
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Emeritus Professor of Human Microbiomics and co-Principal Investigator of the HELMI birth cohort
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.
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.
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
MD, Doctoral researcher
MD, Doctoral researcher
Visiting researcher
I graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University in India, with a M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology. I was introduced to the field of microbiome in my master's project, where I studied the effect of mild traumatic brain injury on gut microbiota dynamics. As an ESR in the Sweet Crosstalk network, my PhD project will utilize the HELMI cohort data to understand how glycans in mother milk affect infant immunity and their gut microbiome structure. I am interested in learning more about the data analysis of the 16S rRNA gene seq and animal experiments using murine models. In my leisure days I like to write, travel, experience the local culture and listen to music.
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.