Read more about group members
Kati Heinonen-Tuomaala
Professor of psychology
I received my PhD in Psychology from the University of Helsinki, after which I also completed the specialisation programme in children and youth psychology. My interests have consistently centred on developmental psychology. My research has focused on longitudinal cohorts spanning from the prenatal period to adulthood, examining psychological, social, and biological foundations of development in both high‑risk groups (e.g., preterm infants) and healthy term‑born cohorts. Currently, my work increasingly explores the gut–brain axis and vitamin D as potential modifiable factors shaping early socioemotional development.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time in the Finnish archipelago and taking long walks. My secret is that I love to take pictures of the dogs at public transportations and share them with my family.
Contact information:
Hanna Huuki
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Contact information:
Samuel Sandboge
Postdoctoral researcher
Samuel Sandboge is an MD specialised in General Medicine and Rheumatology and a postdoctoral researcher at Tampere University, with a visiting researcher position at the University of Helsinki. He defended his PhD in 2015, focusing on the developmental origins of health and disease, with particular interest in early growth and long-term health outcomes. His current research in the VIDI project examines associations between early life vitamin D status and mental health, including symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.
Since 2024, Sandboge has been a Planetary Health educator and the creator of the open access 3 ECTS PlanetaryHealth.now online course. He also leads the RAPHAEL research project, which studies how Planetary Health education influences climate emotions, coping, and agency.
Outside of work, Samuel enjoys spending time with his family, being in nature, discovering new books, and occasionally making music with friends.
Photo credit: Jussi Helttunen
Contact information:
samuel.sandboge@helsinki.fi
Maiju Pesonen
Postdoctoral Researcher
I received my PhD in biostatistics from University of Turku in 2016 and have since worked as a researcher at University of Helsinki and University of Oslo. My research lies at the intersection of applied biostatistics, microbial genomics, and epidemiology, with a particular focus on high-dimensional omics data. My current interests centre on host-microbiome-pathogen interactions and the mechanisms underlying why some individuals progress from microbial exposure to severe infection or malignancy while others remain resilient. I am especially interested in early-life microbiome development and its long-term implications for human health and development.
Outside of research, I enjoy swimming and running, as well as hiking with my family. I have a soft spot for interior design, architecture books, and fresh flowers.
Contact information:
maiju.e.pesonen@gmail.com
Vilja Seppälä
Doctoral Researcher
I received my Master’s degree in psychology from the University of Helsinki in 2021. I am currently pursuing my PhD and plan to defend my thesis in autumn 2026. My doctoral research focuses on early-life vitamin D and child neurodevelopment. Before and partly concurrent with my PhD studies, I have worked as a clinical psychologist in Child Psychiatry at Helsinki University Hospital.
Outside of work, I enjoy long walks with my not‑always‑well‑behaved dog and am always happy to talk about it — perhaps a little more than anyone asked for.
Contact information:
Emmi Kirvesmäki
Grant Holder, Doctoral Research
I have a background in psychology, and I am currently working as a doctoral student. I am generally interested in the factors that influence a child’s development in early childhood. It is therefore quite natural that I am examining the connection between early gut microbiota and a child’s later psychological development in HELMi project. In my free time, I play beach volleyball and knit (you could even say I’ve caught the “neuloosi/knitting fever”). I’m also really into all kinds of animals, so if you’re looking for some random animal facts, I am your person.
Contact information:
Link to University of Tampere Research Portal