SYS-LIFE TRAINING: SUMMER RETREAT
Last week, SYS-LIFE fellows, together with the SYS-LIFE team, enjoyed a refreshing summer retreat in the Turku archipelago. The day began with a ferry ride to the nearby island of Vepsä, where the group shared lunch before heading out on a guided nature path tour. Along the way, they learned fun facts about Finnish culture, such as the ”Everyman’s Right” to freely enjoy nature, and even had a chance to taste salmiakki (salty liquorice).
In the afternoon, participants could swim, relax in a sauna and play a traditional Finnish outdoor game Mölkky. The day ended around a campfire, with sausage roasting and time spent together in good spirits.
On behalf of SYS-LIFE, we wish everyone a happy Midsummer weekend!
NEW FELLOWS
We are happy to announce our selected fellows from the second call and their projects for SYS-LIFE postdoctroral programme:
- Baraa Abuasaker: Targeting SHANK3-KRAS Interactions: A Novel Approach to Understanding and Treating Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (bAVMs)
- Nisar Ahmed: AI-Driven Integration of Spatial Histopathology and Single-Cell Genomics for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine
- Lokendra Birla: AI Meets Motherhood: Transforming Maternal and Neonatal Health Monitoring with Contactless Physiological Analysis
- Julian Brandmeier: Ultrasensitive Detection of Neurological Biomarkers Using Upconversion Nanoparticles Paired with Digital Readout Methods
- Antonia Högnäsbacka: Development and Application of Novel PET Radiotracers for ImmunoPET Imaging of TREM2 in Heart and Brain
- Husna Kaya Kacar: Nourishing Minds: Maternal Dietary Influences on the NeuroDevelopment of Children (MIND)
- Saana Korkki: Mapping the Dynamics of the Developing Hippocampus: Links to Childhood Cognitive Function and Early Life Factors
- Anna Scheer: Exploring Female-specific Cardiovascular Risk-enhancing Conditions and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights into Cardiac and Cerebral Perfusion and the Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Exercise
- Muhammad Shafiq: Regulatory T Cell-mediated Macrophage Modulation to Promote Cardiac Regeneration
Usevalad Ustsinau: Assessment of Metabolic Health and Flexibility Across the Liver-Heart-Adipose Tissues Axis in Aging Populations with Obesity and Diabetes
One of the 11 selected fellows did not want their name to be published.
SELECTION COMMITTEE MEETS FOR THE SECOND CALL
The SYS-LIFE Selection Committee met for the second and final selection on the 5th of May 2025 at the Turku campus. This year’s call attracted a significantly higher number of applicants, reflecting the growing interest in the programme.
Committee members spent the day reviewing external evaluations and finalizing the ranking order of candidates. Based on this assessment, fellowship positions are set to be offered to eleven of the highest-ranked applicants. All applicants have been informed of their status by email. Final results will be published once all positions are officially confirmed.
The SYS-LIFE team extends sincere thanks to all who applied!
More about evaluation and selection on: APPLICATION
SYS-LIFE RESEARCHER LI-FANG YEO WINS 2025 YOUNG RESEARCHERS’ COMPETITION
SYS-LIFE researcher Li-Fang Yeo has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Young Researchers’ Competition, organized by the Finnish Hypertension Society (SVPY). Her research titled ”Microbiome and Incident Hypertension” impressed the judges with its originality, quality, and applicability.
The competition, held during SVPY’s spring meeting, aims to highlight the work of young scientists and encourage them to present their findings publicly. Participants must be under 40 years old and have a significant role in their research. The competition covers topics related to blood pressure, its regulation, and complications associated with hypertension.
Li-Fang Yeo’s victory was determined through a rigorous selection process, including a 10-minute oral presentation followed by a discussion. The panel of SVPY board members evaluated the presentations based on originality, significance, and quality.
The top four researchers received monetary awards, with Li-Fang Yeo taking the top prize. Her research contributes valuable insights into the relationship between the microbiome and hypertension, paving the way for future studies in this field.
Congratulations to Li-Fang Yeo and all the participants for their outstanding contributions to hypertension research.
SYS-LIFE TRAINING IN SPRING 2025
SYS-LIFE will provide a series of training sessions in spring 2025, focusing on transferable skills, particularly in business skills.
The schedule includes:
March
Profile Management: Presenting yourself, communication and networking
April
Career Management: How to become a Leader – Building Skills for Senior Jobs in Industry and Academia
May
Private Sector Actions: IPR, Startup Opportunities, Licensing, Business Co-Innovation
These sessions are planned by the fellows to provide essential skills to enhance professional growth and expand career opportunities.
SECOND CALL: EVALUATION PERIOD
The second call for the SYS-LIFE Fellowship at the University of Turku is now closed, and eligibility results have been sent to applicants. A big thank you to everyone who applied!
Applications that successfully passed the technical review are now advancing to external evaluation. We are thrilled to have received so many strong and thoughtfully crafted applications.
Stay tuned for updates on the selection process. We look forward to welcoming some of you soon to Turku, Finland!
SYS-LIFE seminar: The magnificent history and novel perspectives of cardiometabolic and brain research in Turku
WHEN: January 23rd 2025 at 9.00 —
12.15
WHERE: Osmo Järvi lecture hall in MEDISIINA B —
C
8.30 Morning coffee in the lobby
8.55 Opening words – Markus Juonala, SYS-LIFE Director
9.00 Background of Young Finns Study (YFS) and Special
Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) – Jorma Viikari, professor Emeritus
9.45 Clinical research projects in Heart Centre – Juhani Airaksinen, Professor Emeritus
10.30 Advanced Imaging in Cardiovascular Diseases – Juhani Knuuti, Professor, Director
11.15 Neuroscience research in Turku – yesterday, today and tomorrow – Hasse Karlsson, Professor Emeritus
12.00 Discussion
Open for all interested students and staff members.
Register for the seminar here!
SECOND CALL LAUNCH
Online call info was held on Nov 11 and you can find the presentation materials and a video recording here.
If you have any questions regarding the call, always contact syslife@utu.fi.