GROUP LEADER
KAROLINA LOUVANTO
Professor Louvanto MD, PhD is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University. She holds her medical degree (2006), PhD (2011), Title of docent in the experimental science of obstetrics and gynecology (2018) and Specialist degree in obstetrics and gynecology (2019) from University of Turku, Finland. She did her post-doctoral fellowship in cancer epidemiology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada (2012-2014, 2015) and was a senior clinical fellow in molecular epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, London, UK (2016-2017). In addition, she has further enriched her expertise through extended clinical and research engagements in Sweden, Australia, the United States, and Canada. In 2020, she joined Tampere University as a tenure-track Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was promoted to full Professor in 2024. She has received research awards from the National Graduate School of Clinical Investigation (2011), the Duodecim Society of Turku (2012) and the Seth Wichman award in 2019 from the Finnish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Her research focuses on advancing our understanding of the natural history and molecular epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, as well as exploring the role of other microbes and factors in reproductive health and cancer development. She investigates the long-term impact of childhood HPV infections on adulthood and works to identify innovative epigenetic and genetic biomarkers to improve the early detection of HPV-related cancers, such as cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. By assessing the potential of these biomarkers for future screening programs, she aims to enhance cancer prevention strategies for both unvaccinated and HPV-vaccinated populations. In addition to her research, she collaborates extensively on national and international research projects dedicated to improving public health and cancer prevention outcomes.
Her research has been funded by the Research Council of Finland, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finnish Medical Foundation, Finnish Cancer Foundation, Government special funding for Tampere University Hospital, Maud Kuistila Foundation, Orion Foundation and Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation.
Contact Professor Louvanto by e-mail: karolina.louvanto@tuni.fi
PRESENT STUDENTS
Post-Doctoral Fellows
TANGTIAN HE
Dr. Tangtian He obtained his M.Phil. degree (2011) in Marine Biology from Shantou University and got his Ph.D. degree (2017) in Environmental Science from City University of Hong Kong. Previously, Dr. He worked at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a Research Assistant Professor, and he has professional experience in academic research, project implementation, and teaching.
Dr. He recently started as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Professor Karolina Louvanto’s ‘Infection and Cancer’ research team at Tampere University. His research work involves in the study of pathogen-pollution-health link spanning epidemiological, microbiological, and toxicological aspects, and he aims to study how diet, exposome, lifestyle, and genetic factors shape human microbiome and promote human disease development. Dr. He is currently a Guest Associate Editor of ‘Blue Foods Security and Sustainability’ in Frontiers.
Contact Dr. Tangtian He by e-mail: tangtian.he@tuni.fi
NELLI KALLIOMAA
Dr. Kalliomaa received Medical Degree (MD) 2019 and PhD 2024 from the University of Turku. She is a resident in Obstetrics and gynecology and currently working at the Vaasa Central Hospital.
She is a postdoctoral researcher in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her main focus in research is to evaluate the genetical and immunological risk factors of HPV infection and examine the dynamics of HPV transmission between family members.
Contact Dr. Kalliomaa by e-mail: netuka@utu.fi
HELMI SUOMINEN
Dr Helmi Suominen recieved her Medical Degree and PhD Degree both from Tampere University in 2024.
Her PhD thesis evaluated HPV-related T lymphocyte immunophenotyping and serological responses in mothers and children of the Finnish Family HPV Study. Currently, she is working as a general practitioner at Tampere city healthcare center. In the future she is planning to specialize into Obstetrics and Gynecology and her research will now focus to gather further insights into the mother-child pathogens transmissions and on further biomarker discoveries and development.
Contact Helmi by e-mail: helmi.suominen@tuni.fi
PhD Candidates
KALLE ANTTONEN
Kalle Anttonen started his medical studies at the Tampere University in the Faculty of Medicine in 2020 and is now a fifth-year medical student.
He is currently working on his medical advanced studies evaluating the HLA-G polymorphisms impact on serological outcomes of HPV in the FFHPV study. His aim is to continue research towards a PhD on further evaluating the HLA-G polymorphisms impact on the natural course on other viral infections.
Contact Kalle Anttonen by e-mail: kalle.anttonen@tuni.fi
LAURA BERGQVIST
Dr. Bergqvist has received her Medical Degree from the University of Tampere in 1999 and has a specialist degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Currently, she is working at Helsinki University Hospital, in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Her PhD research project is composed of the following three projects. Firstly she is evaluating the diverse behavioural and reproductive factors association with different HPV-genotype prevalence among women referred to colposcopy. Her second project is to determine whether the use of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) device improves colposcopic performance and increases the detection rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+). The third project is to investigate the regression and progression rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2) in a prospective 2-year follow-up study among women thirty years of age or younger.
Contact Dr. Bergqvist by e-mail: laura.bergqvist@hus.fi
HENNI HUHTAMO
Henni Huhtamo started her medical studies at Tampere University in 2019.
Her PhD research project focuses on advancing the understanding of polyomavirus infections, exploring their epidemiological patterns and potential health implications in Finnish families. Additionally, her research investigates the impact of polyomavirus infection on oral and genital HPV infection outcomes.
Contact Henni Huhtamo by email: henni.huhtamo@tuni.fi
TIINA KOIVISTO
Dr. Koivisto received Medical Degree from the Tampere University in 2016. Currently she is working as a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tampere University Hospital.
Her PhD research project evaluates HPV vaccinations impact on women’s fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The first study compares pregnancy and childbirth prevalence between HPV vaccinated, Hepatitis B-virus (HBV) vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Other future studies will compare a wide range of reproductive and fertility related questions among the HPV vaccinated and unvaccinated women.
Contact Dr. Koivisto by email: tiina.h.koivisto@tuni.fi
NEA KOSKELA
Nea Koskela began her studies at Tampere University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology in 2021 and is now a fourth-year medical student.
She is currently working towards her PhD degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The core focus of her study centers on the examination of the sustained presence of antibodies against C. trachomatis and M. genitalium within familial units. It comprehensively covers many aspects, especially looking at underlying risk factors and subsequent consequences, and links to HPV.
Contact Nea Koskela by email: nea.koskela@tuni.fi
SAARA KYLLÖNEN
Dr. Kyllönen received Medical Degree from the University of Tampere in 2012. She has specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tampere University (2022). Currently she is working in Tampere University Hospital and Tampere University as a clinical lecturer.
The main aim of her PhD studies is to increase cervical cancer screening coverage by implementing self-sampling research protocol into the current cervical cancer screening program in the Pirkanmaa region.
Contact Dr. Kyllönen by email: saara.kyllonen@tuni.fi
JENNICA KÖÖPIKKÄ
Dr Kööpikkä received her Medical Degree from the University of Tartu, Estonia in 2011 and has a specialist degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Tampere University 2017. Currently she is working as the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Vaasa Central Hospital.
Her PhD project is about factors affecting the oncogenicity of HPV infection at the cervical columnar epithelium. The aim of the project is to find out how the risk factors of AIS differ from the risk factors of squamous cell dysplasia and if LEEP conisation is sufficient in treating AIS. The last part of the research is on better ways of recognising which columnar cell changes will lead to malignancy.
Contact Dr. Jennica Kööpikkä by email: jennica.koopikka@ovph.fi
AARNO LEINO
Aarno Leino began his studies at Tampere University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology in 2021 and is now a fourth-year medical student.
His PhD project evaluates the role of extended HPV genotyping and possible use of methylation markers in the cervical cancer screening program by utilyzing the data from the Tampere region HPV primary cervical cancer screening program from the past 12 years.
Contact Aarno Leino by e-mail: aarno.leino@tuni.fi
EERO NUMMINEN
Eero Numminen started his medical studies at the Tampere University in the Faculty of Medicine in 2021.
His PhD studies evaluate the role of different HPV-types and their persistence in the risk of cervical cancer progression. The data for the project is composed of the cervical cancer screening population in Tampere region from the past 12 years.
Contact Eero Numminen by e-mail: eero.numminen@tuni.fi
HANNA PIKKUJÄMSÄ
Hanna Pikkujämsä started her medical studies at Tampere University in 2020.
She is a PhD candidate in obstetrics and gynecology. Her research evaluates the delays and effect of the covid-19 pandemic on gynecological cancer care and especially with a more advanced focus on the cervical cancer screening and also methylation markers.
Contact Hanna Pikkujämsä by e-mail: hanna.pikkujamsa@tuni.fi
MAIJU POKKINEN
Maiju Pokkinen started her medical studies at Tampere University in 2021.
She is currently working on her medical advanced studies on HPV 16 early genes impact on HPV disease outcome among mothers from the FFHPV study, After her advanced studies her project will continue towards a PhD degree via evaluating the HPV early genes between the mothers and their newborns.
Contact Maiju Pokkinen by email: maiju.pokkinen@tuni.fi
SANNI RINNE
Sanni Rinne started her medical studies at Tampere University in the Faculty of Medicine in 2021.
She is currently working on her medical advanced studies by evaluating the effect of EBV antibody levels on persisting HPV infections in the FFHPV study. She is also aiming to continue doing research on the same project with EBV serology to get her PhD degree.
Contact Sanni Rinne by email: sanni.rinne@tuni.fi
SUVI RINTALA
Suvi Rintala started her medical studies at Tampere University in 2020.
She finalised her medical advanced studies in 2022 by evaluating different cancer screening and prevention guidelines to provide more feasible summaries for the clinicians for their everyday practise. After that she has continued her research towards her PhD degree evaluating the microbiome and virome profiles among the oral and genital HPV infection outcomes.
Contact Suvi by email: suvi.rintala@tuni.fi
KAISA TAAVELA
Dr. Taavela received her Medical Degree in 2014 and specialist degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2023 both from Tampere University. Currently she is working as a consultant at the Central Hospital of Seinäjoki.
Her PhD project in Obstetrics and Gynecology evaluates the quality of life among the HPV vaccinated women and future cervical cancer screening options. Secondary aim is to evaluate sexuality and quality of life among women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
Contact Dr. Taavela by e-mail: kaisa.taavela@tuni.fi
Medical Advanced Studies / Bachelor’s Students
Tilda Hovi , 2024 –
Qiang Karhula. 2023 –
Ilona Ketola, 2024 –
Meeri Lamberg, 2024 –
Eka Luhtanen, 2022 –
Siiri Leppälä, 2023 –
Markus Meriö, 2023 –
PAST STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS
Past Medical advanced studies/Bachelor’s
Hanna Pikkujämsä, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022-2024
Laura Kirjavainen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022-2024
Katariina Helasmäki, Biotechnology and Biomedical engineering, 2022-2023
Suvi Rintala, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2021-2023
Helmi Suominen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2020-2022
Eerika Sääkslahti, Dentistry, 2020
Salla Vuorinen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2020
Past PhDs
Helmi Suominen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2021-2024
Nelli Kalliomaa, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018-2024
Penelope Gray, Epidemiology, 2020-2022
Past Post-docs
Anna Paaso, University of Turku, 2018
Past researchers
Veronika Fonagy, Research assistant, 2022-2023
Anna Jaakola, Researcher, 2018-2023
Siiri Leppälä, Research assistant, 2020-2021