Anna from Turku Vocational Institute

In addition to the motivated BSc students introduced in the last post, we have had the honour to have student Anna Koleshnikova, supervised by Mika, Isabella and Emilia, from Turku Vocational Institute (Turun ammatti-instituutti) conducting her on-the-job learning period with us since the beginning of August. She has used and learned a plethora of instruments and analysis techniques, including measuring hackmanites with a luminance meter, a thermoluminescence reader, XRF, XRD, a thermogravimeter and a portable spectrometer. She has also learned to synthesize NaYF₄ via a solid-state reaction route.

Anna Koleshnikova.

Anna will be working in our team until October 7, after which she will continue her studies at the vocational institute. We want to thank Anna already at this point for helping us in conducting measurements both effectively and untiringly!

Bachelor of Science students 2019

A fresh new academic year has started with some fresh new people: the motivated BSc students had a flying start, rolling their lab coat sleeves already at the beginning of September and having their work done quickly and effectively. Me, Isabella and Ari are supervising their work, which luckily doesn’t require much overseeing since the students are smart and super self-directing. We warmly welcome Nina, Samu and Saara to carry out their BSc labs here at IMC.

From left to right: BSc students Nina Rehnberg, Samu Raunio and Saara Pellinen.

Congratulations, Isabella!

MSc Isabella Norrbo successfully defended her thesis “Synthetic hackmanites and their optical properties – from theory to applications” on Friday 17th of May. Congratulations!

From left: Disputant MSc Isabella Norrbo, Opponent Prof. Mark T. Weller and Custos Adj. Prof. Mika Lastusaari;
Right: Mark, Isabella and Mika at the dissertation party (Pictures: Mikaela Norrbo)

Chembio 2019 in Helsinki

University of Turku was well represented in the Chembio 2019 event in Helsinki 27.-28.3.2019. Isabella Norrbo from our group and Maarit Karonen from NCRG presented their research in Materials in Nature seminar by FinTAC ry. In addition, Marica Engström from NCRG presented her research in the session by the chromatography society of Finland.

Great job from all of you!

Image by Anne Koivuniemi
From left to right: Marica, Maarit and Isabella (picture by Anne Koivuniemi)
Image by Mika Lastusaari

Isabella presenting her research (picture by Mika Lastusaari)

Bachelor of Science students 2018

During the months of November and December we have had the privilege to host students for their Bachelor of Science laboratory work. We hope you have enjoyed the laboratory work and its ups and downs and continue with us further in your studies. There is lots of interesting research ahead!

From left to right: Matti, Teppo, Roosa, Otto and Herkko. Veera is unfortunately missing from the picture.

Congratulations, Mika!

Adj. Prof. Mika Lastusaari succesfully defended his 2nd thesis in the Department of the Education on Saturday 10th of November 2018.


Congratulations to our double Dr, we are proud of you!


The opponent, Dr. Anna Parpala (University of Helsinki), Adj. Prof. Mika Lastusaari and the custos Adj. Prof Mari Murtonen (University of Turku)


The double Dr. and a collection of his current and previous doctoral students

New face around: Anssi

We gained new addition as Anssi Peuronen joined us for his three-year post doctoral project (tutkijatohtori) from the Academy of Finland.

His current research is focused on developing metal-organic coordination cages that would be able to selectively bind anions. Anssi will be working closely with our other metal-organic chemists Ari Lehtonen, Pasi Salonen and Esko Salojärvi.

We hope that you have settled well and enjoy your stay with us.