People

Principal Investigator. Cat person. Canoeing, metal music, poetry, arts, wine & dine. Coffee, and coffee. Did I mention coffee? For a biologist life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

MSCA Postdoctoral researcher and coffee lover working on the evolutionary history of the physaloids (Solanaceae). I am currently focused on the evolutionary patterns of the inflated fruiting calyx, a morphological innovation characteristic of the physaloids. My main question is how this inflated calyx has affected diversification and macroevolutionary dispersion rates. To address this, I will integrate genomes, fossils, morphology, and biogeography. More about this project here.

Postdoctoral researcher currently working on Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to uncover candidate genes linked to the germination performance of bread wheat under salt stress. I'm interested in understanding plant resilience and agrobiodiversity in the face of environmental change.

Doctoral student (AGFOREE) working with the intriguing world of plant host-pathogen interactions. My current focus is about deciphering the evolutionary dynamics of Oomycetes, specifically Peronospora sparsa, in conjunction with Nordic Rubus species. Employing advanced museomics techniques, I explore the historical genomes of these pathogens within herbarium specimens, aiming to uncover their evolutionary secrets across time.

Lover of coffee and music. I am doctoral student in Plant Breeding at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) in collaboration with Embrapa Clima Temperado, Brazil. My research focuses on providing a taxonomic treatment for Solanum sect. Petota ser.  Commersoniana, aiming to clarify whether S. malmeanum is an autonomous species, an infraspecific taxon of S. commersonii, or a hybrid involving S. chacoense. Using herbarium specimens and living plants, I aim to understand the evolutionary processes by studying the roles of reproduction and hybridisation in gene flow among wild potato species and to apply this knowledge in potato breeding programs. My advisors in Brazil are Gustavo Heiden and Caroline M. Castro.

Doctoral student and fitness enthusiast specializing in the systematics and conservation of Forsteronia (Apocynaceae), a genus of ‘milky lianas.’ My research focuses on constructing the first comprehensive phylogeny for this genus by integrating data from putatively single-copy genes, morphological traits, and biogeographical analyses. This work aims to address longstanding hypotheses about the evolutionary history of Forsteronia, including its origins and diversification within the Amazon region, as well as the role of androecium morphology in its taxonomy and speciation. My advisors in Brazil is Ingrid Koch.

Doctoral student interested in all things fungal-lichen-algal-botanical and more. Currently working with fungal-bird dispersal interactions, algal plastid genomes & lichen systematics. Spokesperson for underappreciated organisms, Olympic coach for biology in Finland, aerial acrobat and skilled in juggling with one too many side projects.

Doctoral student (EDUFI) currently working on transcriptome and small-RNA profiling of metabolically extreme genotypes within thyme species. My research mainly focuses on chemo-diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and the underlying transcriptional-level drivers behind phytochemical variations. I'm also highly interested in evolutionary genomics and phylogenetic studies of MAPs.

Master's student at the University of Helsinki studying Integrative Plant Sciences. Research interests include plant phylogenomics, phylogeography, and evolution. Currently working with Solanum nigrum. Loves reading, playing the flute, cycling, and visiting art museums.

Master's student at the University of Helsinki studying Integrative Plant Sciences. Interested in plant morphology, phylogenetics and climate. Exhaustingly long list of hobbies currently includes singing, knitting and the newly acquired skill of spinning yarn (among others).

Master's student from the Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil investigating the variation and evolutionary patterns of mitochondrial genomes of spiny Solanums in South America, the most species rich genus among the Solanaceae, with species of global economic importance.