OUR RESEARCHERS

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Induction Day (left to right: Li-Fang Yeo, Dattatray Mongad, Nitin Bayal, David Molnar, Sanaz Nazari Farsani, Suman Vimal, Mika Ogawa, Jiawei Yang)
Nitin Bayal
Senior Researcher, Data analytics
The mediating impact of gut microbiome on Executive Function: a multi-assay analysis
Where did you work before coming to Turku?

I worked at the National Centre for Cell Science and the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research in India before coming to Turku, Finland. I am originally from New Delhi, India.

What is your research topic? Why are you interested in this topic?

My research topic is “The mediating impact of gut microbiome on Executive Function: a multi-assay analysis.” I am fascinated by the importance of cognition in the human brain, which lays the foundation for emotions, resilience, social behaviours, and skill acquisition. Executive function, as a key cognitive ability, enables control of attention, memory, and problem-solving, which are essential throughout life. I am particularly interested in exploring the connection between the gut microbiome and these functions using Finnish population cohort data and multi-omics tools.

Why SYS-LIFE? What are your expectations of the fellowship?

SYS-LIFE addresses critical issues in cardiometabolic and brain diseases, providing access to large-scale, longitudinal data that aligns perfectly with my research. Through this fellowship, I am in search of new frontiers in the area of brain health and microbiomics, developing a strong profile in microbiome research, and positioning myself as an expert in this field. I expect this fellowship to provide a clearer sense of direction in navigating the academic landscape, ensuring the impact of my contributions to the field.

Best thing in Turku?

I’ve enjoyed the Aura Riverfront (Aurajoki). Walking along the river in a peaceful atmosphere to the Turku port (Satama) has been a highlight for me. Turku’s rich cultural heritage, including its Cathedral, museums, and markets, adds to the charm.

Gut Microbiome: Computational microbiome research in
population cohort studies

Supervisor:
Leo Lahti
Jarkko Johansson
Senior researcher
Normative dopaminergic function and activation of cognitive control: neuroimaging studies across the lifespan

Will start in January

Supervisor:
Lauri Nummenmaa
Yaxing Meng
Senior researcher
Life course blood pressure and cardiovascular prevention

Will start in January

Supervisor:
Katja Pahkala
David Molnar
Senior Researcher, Turku PET Centre
Morphological and functional characterization of the pericoronary epicardial adipose tissue in atherosclerosis and its incremental diagnostic value
Supervisor:
Juhani Knuuti
Dattatray Mongad
Senior Reseacher
Multi-omic characterization of gut microbiome dysbiosis and resistome: Implications for cardiovascular risk

Gut Microbiome: Computational microbiome research in
population cohort studies

Supervisor:
Leo Lahti
Sanaz Nazari Farsani
Senior Researcher, Turku PET Centre
Identifying prior and novel undetected stroke lesions in suspected CAD patients through total-body PET/CT imaging and generative deep learning
Supervisor:
Lauri Nummenmaa
Mika Ogawa
Senior Researcher, Institute of Dentistry
The relationship between oral health, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: a dental anxiety perspective

Oral Health

Supervisor:
Satu Lahti
Oluwafemi Ojo
Senior Reseacher
Defining the role of HSD17B12 in body adiposity regulation and PCOS related metabolic dysfunction

Will start in December

Suman Vimal
Senior Researcher, Internal Medicine
Proteomic evaluation of Stress Granules and Processing Bodies in pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation
Where did you work before coming to Turku?

I was working as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in a leading pathology in India, before moving to Turku in September 2024. My stint there was very short as I got selected for SYS-LIFE postdoctoral program and decided to join UTU.

What is your research topic? Why are you interested in this topic?

 My research topic is “Proteomic evaluation of Stress Granules and Processing Bodies in pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation” where I will be using the CAREBANK dataset to investigate the role of Stress granules and Processing Bodies in post-op atrial fibrillation episodes in subjects through proteomics. I took up this study because it aligns with my previous research done during my doctoral studies. I believe with my background in cardiovascular diseases, I would be able to justify the vision of SYS-LIFE of innovations in improving cardiometabolic health.

Why SYS-LIFE? What are your expectations of the fellowship?

I decide to join SYS-LIFE because it gives me ample opportunities to think, design and innovate my work ideas. It provides me the guidance whenever I need and also it is very instrumental in my career development by providing me mentors outside my work area to give me assistance in networking and designing my career path after my fellowship ends.

Best thing in Turku?

I have found Turku very welcoming and accepting. I never felt like I am from a different country and a totally different culture. I always received the assistance and help whenever I needed even from the people outside my work. I love the calm and easy-going vibe of this city.

Supervisor:
Tuomas Kiviniemi
Jiawei Yang
Senior Researcher, Health Technology
AI for heart monitoring using exercise aware wearables (Exercise4Heart)

Digital Health Technology: AI driven diagnostics for early detection of cardiovascular diseases

Supervisor:
Matti Kaisti
Li-Fang Yeo
Senior Researcher, Internal Medicine
Gut micRobiome and Metabolome in modulating Blood Pressure (GRuMBP)
Where did you work before coming to Turku?

I was a postdoc at Cancer Research Malaysia, a non-profit research organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, for two years before coming to Turku.

What is your research topic? Why are you interested in this topic?

I work on the gut microbiome in association with cardiometabolic diseases. There was no big ambition of discovering the next breakthrough of the century when I first started working in gut microbiome. I merely wanted to work with the indigenous communities in Malaysian rainforest because I wanted to go on fieldtrips, and there was a project on the microbiome. Fast-forward eight years later, I am still working on the microbiome because I still have new things to learn, for example how to write code in an elegant, readable and reproducible way. It is such a long way to go to become an elegant coder.

Why SYS-LIFE? What are your expectations of the fellowship?

SYS-LIFE gave me the opportunity to work with some of the professors who are well-known in the microbiome field. I really like and appreciated that SYS-LIFE emphasised on my career development and limited other non-research duties. With secure funding throughout my fellowship, I only have to focus on my research with the added bonus of travel and training allowances. I expect (or hope) to be able to grow into a mature researcher and build my portfolio.

Best thing in Turku?

The people (and the city library). Turku is a big enough city to have everything you need, but also small enough that people are not in a hurry so they have time to address your needs, be it when you made a blunder and hold up the line at a busy supermarket, you need help getting off the right bus stop, or if you need someone to translate something for you.

Gut Microbiome: Gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health

Supervisor:
Teemu Niiranen
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