The human brain is one of the most complex biological systems, and its development begins before birth and continues throughout childhood and adolescence. During this period, billions of neurons must be generated, migrate to the correct regions, form specialised connections, and communicate through precisely regulated electrical and chemical signals. Disruption at any stage can contribute […]

We’re all nerds in some subjects. Topics we know in depth, whether through work, studies, or for no particular reason at all (those are the best kind). But what’s crazy is the amount of things we don’t know at all, even facts that others would call basic. A few months ago I attended a talk […]

My research on older immigrants in Finland is approaching its final stages. My third and latest manuscript addressed the risk factors for social exclusion among older immigrants. This study focused on exclusion from services and social relations. This study is based on empirical evidence from semi-structured interviews with 26 older immigrants and 19 social and […]

How molecular genetics, artificial intelligence and precision technology are reshaping discovery, treatment and the researcher’s role Neuroscience has long forced researchers to choose a scale: DNA, a cell, a circuit or a patient. That separation is fading. Single-cell and spatial omics reveal which genes are active in particular cell types and where those cells sit […]

After almost four years, I have finally completed my PhD. It has been a rollercoaster journey filled with both incredible highs and challenging lows. As every doctoral researcher knows, a PhD is rarely a straightforward experience. The true value of the journey lies in learning to navigate its challenges, growing not only as a researcher […]

Do you remember the first time you learned we have neurons in the brain?  I have quite a strong memory from that time… but the reason why has less to do with science, and more to do with myself. Let me explain. I was in school when the teacher explained that a neuron is a special type of cell […]

What if we could predict longevity based on social support relationships? Our research makes a crucial contribution to making this a reality. In this post, I will share how our research findings show the benefits/association between social support with longevity and quality of life in old age. We will also explore what this could mean for […]

Mobility periods may seem overwhelming, but they may have more advantages than disadvantages. Indeed, leaving one’s comfort zone, whether somewhere else within the same country or abroad, can be overwhelming. Researchers may struggle with data collection, analysis, deadlines, revisions, and funding applications. Research visits can impact the progress of some of these core tasks. However, […]

Have you thrown a pebble in the lake and noticed how that creates concentric rings around the center of the disturbance? Those expanding rings are called ‘ripples.’ These ripples are simple but powerful examples of how a local event can create organized patterns over space and time! Interestingly, the human brain operates in a somewhat […]

A PhD is often described as the start of an academic career. What people mention less often is that it’s also the start of doing a lot of things… alone. During our bachelor’s and master’s degrees, academia feels like a group activity. We complain about worksheets and projects together, divide tasks, help each other out, […]