Principal Investigator, PhD
PhD and Docent (Cancer Genetics), University of Helsinki
Principal Investigator,
Research coordinator, PhD
During my postdoctoral research, I have established patient-derived three-dimensional ex vivo models (PDE), which represent the cell types present in the original head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). PDE are used for drug testing, biomarker validation and molecular cancer studies. I am especially interested in the drug resistance and phenotypic plasticity of tumor cells. More recently, I have applied the PDE to study gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which is a rare mesenchymal tumor with limited availability of preclinical models. Lack of proper models hampers the development of effective therapy, particularly for tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistant GIST, and thus novel pre-clinical models are in great need.
Post-doctoral fellow, PhD
I am studying PPFIA1 and ANO1 genes, encoding for liprin-α1 and anoctamin-1 proteins. These genes are located at the 11q13 region of the genome, which is commonly amplified in different cancers such as in head and neck cancer and breast cancer and is related to poor prognosis of the patients. I am exploring how liprin-α1 and anoctamin-1 proteins contribute to cancer progression and oncogenic signalling. Recently, I have focused on setting up tumor models to study a new biologically directed radiotherapy boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in head and neck cancer.
PhD student, MSc
Focus of my research is to investigate potent biomarkers, mainly for the drug response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). My aim is to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of drug resistance to targeted therapies and the signaling pathways involved, such as the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. To achieve this, I employ a variety of methods, such as transcriptomics using next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, high-throughput drug screening, as well as established cell & molecular biology methods, including immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, Western blotting and assays measuring cellular or metabolic changes associated with viable or nonviable cells. University of Helsinki Research portal:
PhD student
I am a PhD student at the iCANDOC doctoral program for Digital Precision Cancer Medicine. My research project focuses on the pre-clinical investigation of therapeutic effectiveness of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Pre-clinical study of BNCT as an efficient cancer therapy is carried out together with our BNCT research and clinical collaborators.
Laboratory Coordinator (FIMM Genomics), MSc
I am the lab coordinator for FIMM Genomics which provides Illumina and AVITI-based next-generation sequencing and other genomics analysis tools for the scientific academic community in Helsinki and beyond. I am responsible for planning, managing and coordinating projects. In addition, I have long experience in biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology and cancer biology.
Bioinformatician (FIMM Genomics), MSc
Working as a computational biologist I'm tasked with managing and analyzing the genomics data produced at FIMM Genomics. A part of that I advice our users in experiment design of the projects. I'm also responsible in maintaining some of FIMM Genomics hardware and required software and I take part on the bioinformatics teaching on the campus.
RI coordinator (FIMM Genomics), Senior lab technician
My work in FIMM Genomics contain next-generation sequencing related laboratory tasks like quality control measurements and preparation of libraries for Illumina NovaSeq X Plus and AVITI24 equipment using a number of different sequencing library preparation protocols. I am also carrying out projects with Olink and NanoString technologies. I have long experience in NGS and I am always keen on expanding my expertise to novel applications related to NGS and other genomics technologies.
RI technician (FIMM Genomics), MSc
My work focuses on next-generation sequencing related laboratory tasks like quality control measurements and preparation of libraries for Illumina NovaSeq X Plus and AVITI24 sequencers using a number of different sequencing library preparation protocols. I am also carrying out projects with Olink and NanoString technologies.