Senior Research Scientist  PhD

Country: Finland


EDUCATION
MSc in Clinical Biochemistry, University of Oulu, Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry, Finland (1985)
PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Oulu, Faculty of Medicine, Finland (1996)

CAREER GOAL
to find a permanent position in the compatible Biotechnology, Science Lab, Space Life Science Lab, Government Lab and/or Pharmaceutical Industry R & D lab. Motto: My Best days are still ahead!

SUMMARY
Have just finished a term position as the Forensic Biochemist at the Hjelt Institute in University of Helsinki. Working in charge of the lab personnel and projects related developing technology and methods used in the forensic biology laboratory (biochemistry and DNA). Now I am looking for new enterprises. Currently working as a part time scientist at Experimental Animal Center in University of Helsinki.

Past experience includes working as Senior Scientist in lab studying the autoimmune diseases and, rheumatoid arthritis and new biomaterials. At NASA/JSC's Biotechnology Dept work included biotechnology, genetic engineering of mammalian cell lines to be used as whole cell-based biosensors, 3D tissue engineering, the development of micro fluidic and nano technology systems for environmental monitoring of spacecraft and planetary environments, the design and cloning of new recombinant expression plasmid constructs, and the development of new proteomics methods.

SKILLS
Include, molecular biology, genetic engineering, proteomics and biomarker detection methods development.   Areas worked in are; biomedical science, molecular medicine, space life sciences and biotechnology. Project management, including project definition, project planning, scheduling, applying grants, development, task and subcontract negotiations and reporting.

In details, Recombinant protein production, cloning, purification and characterization (FPLC, HPLC). Bio-computing, Bioinformatics, Data mining used as tools in problem solving and data analysis. Biomonitoring and radiation monitoring (biosensors), microgravity environment, 3D tissue engineering and bioreactors. Biomaterial structural analysis technologies (FTIR, micro-CT). Protein expression and cloning vector design and construction. In situ hybridization and Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR, molecular medicine, virus and microbe diagnostics.

LIFE SKILLS
Optimistic and positive view to life and future. Mentoring attitude towards colleagues. Works well in multicultural environments Encouraging team player – always wants to seek opportunities to team’s best and advancements Leadership model is based on living as an example to others. Multitasker and achiever, can make things to happen, likes to work in multiple projects

WORK HISTORY
University of Helsinki Experimental Animal Center – Scientist – Scientist at Experimental animal center. 09/2011-01/2012.

Hjelt Institute – Department of Forensic Biology – Helsinki Finland –
Forensic Bio Chemist - The Department performs forensic autopsies, forensic toxicological determinations, DNA – and biochemical, chemical analyses, paternity tests and clinical forensic investigations. http://www.oll.helsinki.fi/english/index_english.htm  (06/2011 – 08/2011).

Biomedicum Helsinki in University of Helsinki Finland - Senior Research Scientist -The focus of the Research: Arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, autoimmune diseases, cancer, bone biology and artificial implants and new biomaterials. Expertise in molecular biology, cell biology and protein chemistry, supervision and lecturing of practical laboratory courses, supervision of PhD students and other trainees. Web http://www.biomedicum.fi/index.php?page=105&lang=2  (06/2007- 02/2011).

Biomater Center Kuopio in University of Kuopio Finland - Senior Research Scientist – The focus of the Research: Biomaterials, Biomechanical and Biotechnological properties of the bioactive (smart) biomaterials and coatings for the artificial joints and bone development in projects dealing with biomaterial and cartilage structural strength studies with micro-CT (orthobiologics). Web http://venda.uku.fi/research/biomaterials  (2006-2007).

A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences (AIVI) Kuopio Finland - Biotechnology Research Scientist – The focus of the Research: The gene therapy vectors and non-viral transposon mediated gene transfer /therapy vectors to be used for treatment of the cardiovascular diseases. Web http://www.uef.fi/aivi, http://www.uef.fi/coe  (2005-2005).

NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX USA – Space Research
(http://www.dsls.usra.edu/pollanen.html ). Research Scientist. Focus of theprojects: Designing, developing and researching tissue engineering, 3D tissue models, environmental and radiation monitoring model systems. Reporter gene expression and proteomics and vectors, tissue and cell engineering and modeling, collaborated with NASA engineers. Acted also as a consultant scientist with the Biotechnology and Molecular Biology expertise. Web http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/slsd/index.html  (2002-2005) (3 yrs)

University of Texas HSC UTMMG Houston TX USA - Post Doctoral Research Fellow –Focus of the Research: Molecular genetics and signaling in the bacterial membrane build-up and genetic control of the photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodobacter). Web http://mmg.uth.tmc.edu/index.html  (1999-2002) (3 yrs)


Microbiology Dept at University of Oulu, Finland - Post Doctoral Research Scientist - Focus of the Research: Diagnostic methods for detection viruses causing respiratory infections (RSV). Web http://www.oulu.fi/mbl/index_en.html  (1996-1999) (1.5 yrs)

Department of Pathology University of Oulu, Institute of Diagnostics, Finland - Research Scientist, Focus of the Research: Designed, developed diagnostic methods for the Human Papilloma Virus infections (HPV) detection, cloning, DNA-sequencing, molecular biology and expression of recombinant proteins and purification systems. Consulted in molecular biology, cell biology and protein biochemistry, supervision a lecturing of practical laboratory courses, supervision of PhD students and other trainees. Web http://www.medicine.oulu.fi/english/home.html   (1986-1996) (10 yrs).

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Finnish, mother language (excellent)
Swedish, spoken and written (good)
English, spoken and written (excellent)
German, spoken and written (good)
Russian, basics

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Antibody production & properties and localization & Western Blotting
Biocomputing & Bioinformatics, Molecular and Protein Modeling
Cell Culture, Cloning, and genetic engineering (BSL1, BSL2)
ELISA, EIA Immunoassay development
Immunology, antibodies, Western Blotting, Elisa, EIA etc
Fluorescence microscopy and Light microscopy
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and In situ Hybridization (ISH)
Mammalian Cell Culture and Transfections
FPLC protein purification systems (Pharmacia /GE Akta Systems, FPLC others)
Mass spectrometry (MALDI, SELDI-TOF)
Experience in operating and maintaining of time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS)- FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy, Micro-CT in analyzing structural damages in biomaterials (retrieval implants)
Protein Cloning, FPLC, HPLC Purification, Biochemistry
NASA's rotating wall (microgravity) Bioreactors, other bioreactors (Labview software)
Molecular Biology Laboratory maintenance and Research Techniques
Molecular Virology Lab Techniques
Bio-fermentors and Bioprocess Technology

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION COURSES
Computer System and program designing course for Laboratory Chemists and Engineers, University of Oulu Center of Continuing Education, Finland (9 months)
Gene and DNA technology course in University of Helsinki, Finland
RPMS Gene technology (in situ hybridization) course in London, UK
Gene technology Course in Hatfield Herts U.K. Hatfield Polytechnics
Gene technology Course I in University of Oulu, Finland (Lecture part)
Oulu University Gene technology course II (Laboratory part)
Bio Computing courses (GCG, Discover, Cray, Silicon Graphics, and Bio
Computing Molecular and protein modeling) in CSC of Finland, University of Oulu
And University of Turku, Finland
PCR techniques practical applications course, University of Oulu, Finland
Protein Modeling Course, University of Turku and Biocity, Finland
NMR for living systems, Course at University of Kuopio, Finland
Principles of Protein Structures and Modeling at Birckbeck College of London
University, UK England
Working abroad - Working and living in foreign countries and cultures – A
Language and orientation course - University of Oulu Center of Continuing
Education, Finland
Bioprosess technology and Biofermentation training course - University of Oulu Center of Continuing Education (9 months)
Work safety and radiation safety training courses at University of Texas Health
Science Center Houston TX (1999-2002)
FACS training at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston TX (FACSaria Training) (2002)
NASA’s Biosafety, work and radiation safety and blood borne pathogens and other
Lab safety related training at NASA Houston TX, NASA Bioastronautics (2002-05)
Learning in University – University teacher training course in the University of Helsinki 2011 (5 credit points 5 months)
Helsinki Institute of Technology (HELTECH) Leadership and project management training - Technical Project Manager training course (80 credit points, 24 months) (2011-2012) Helsinki Institute of Technology

MY REFERENCES
Reijo Lappalainen PhD Professor in Material Physics Biomater Center Kuopio, Finland Email reijo.lappalainen(at)uef.fi 

Bill Seitz PhD MD Deputy Director NASA JSC Houston TX USA
Email William.seitz(at)nasa.gov 

Jesus Eraso Assistant Research Professor PhD University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC UTMMG) jeraso(at)uth.tmc.edu  

Antti Sajantila MD PhD Professor in Forensic Medicine University of Helsinki and Hjelt Institute Email antti.sajantila(at)helsinki.fi