People

Mikael Knip, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Helsinki

Chief Physician Children's Hospital University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital

His research focuses on type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated diseases in children and adolescents. He has published more than 580 original papers and over 170 other scientific articles.

Dr. Knip has been one of Principal Investigators on the Finnish Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) study from its start in 1994. He has also led the international TRIGR (Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk) study testing the hypothesis that weaning to an extensively hydrolysed formula will reduce the frequency of beta-cell autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in children at risk. This trial was completed in 2017 and the outcome showed no preventive effect of the intervention. TRIGR was mainly funded by NIH. The DIABIMMUNE study, funded by the EC 7th Framework Program for the period 2008-2014, set out to test the hygiene hypothesis in type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated diseases.

Recently Dr. Knip and his research group have elaborated an interest in the intestinal microbiota and its potential role in the development of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity. In this context the interaction between the maternal microbiota and the developing microbiota in the infant at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes is a special area of interest. Dr. Knip led the Academy of Finland Center of Excellence on Molecular Systems Immunology and Physiology Research 2014-17. Currently he is also the Director of the Diabetes and Obesity Research Program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki.

He is or have been on the editorial board of a series of international journals, such as Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, editorial board of a series of international journals, such as Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, European Journal of Endocrinology, Pediatric Diabetes and Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Dr. Knip has been on the Scientific Review Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) 2005-2008 and on the Research Council for Health, Academy of Finland 2007-2012.

Jarno Honkanen, PhD, Senior Researcher, tel. +358 50 301 3339
Taina Härkönen, PhD, Senior Researcher, tel. +358 9 471 71949
Kristiina Luopajärvi, MD, PhD, Senior Researcher
Neea Mustonen, BMed, Undergraduate Student
Anna Parkkola, MD, Post-doc
Petra Pöllänen, MD, Undergraduate Student
Terhi Ruohtula, MSc, Graduate Student
Samppa Ryhänen, MD, PhD, Post-doc
Pasi Salento, BMed, Undergraduate Student
Kirsi Salonen, MD, PhD, Post-doc
Heli Siljander, MD, PhD, Senior Researcher
Maaret Turtinen, MD, Graduate Student
Outi Vaarala, MD, PhD, Senior Researcher
Hans K. Åkerblom, MD, PhD, Professor emeritus

Tel. +358 50 427 0898

Berta Davydova, MSc, Laboratory Technician 
Sinikka Helander, Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Services, Medical Laboratory Technician
Juho Hämäläinen, Bachelor of Laboratory Services, Laboratory Technician     
Leni Joutsjoki, Bachelor of Laboratory Services, Laboratory Technician  
Mevlida Kararic, Master of Health Care, Laboratory Technician        
Markku Latva-Koivisto, Bachelor of Laboratory Services, Laboratory Coordinator
Iiris Ollila, Bachelor of Laboratory Services, Laboratory Technician          
Helena Tukiainen, MSc, Laboratory Technician    
Arja Vuorela, MSc, Biochemist

Minna Hirvasniemi, Master of Health Care, RN, Coordinator, +358 50 4488906
Mila Hyytinen, PhD, Study Coordinator, +358 50 592 7813
Katriina Koski, MSc, Project Coordinator, +358 50 594 3546
Sirpa Nolvi, RN, Coordinator, sirpa.nolvi@hus.fi, +358 50 427 0564
Marja Salonen, MSc, Project Coordinator, +358 2941 25208
Michaela Selén, Bachelor of Social Services, Study Assistant, +358 50 3149285

Saila Anolin, RN, Study Nurse, +358 50 314 9393
Susanne Johansson, RN, Study Nurse, +358 50 427 2353