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
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 Turku University 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
TIINA KOIVISTO
Contact Dr. Koivisto by email: tiina.h.koivisto@tuni.fi
NEA KOSKELA
Dr. Nea Koskela began her studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University in 2021 and is currently a sixth-year medical student. She defended her doctoral dissertation and completed her PhD in Obstetrics and Gynecology in April 2026. Her doctoral research focused on the serology of sexually transmitted infections and its associations with HPV infections.
Following the completion of her PhD, she began postdoctoral research with a focus on more clinically oriented HPV studies. Her current research interests include the natural history and clinical implications of HPV infections, with a particular emphasis on pediatric HPV infections, transmission, and their long-term health outcomes.
Contact Dr. Koskela by email: nea.koskela@tuni.fi
SANNI RINNE
Contact Dr. Rinne by email: sanni.rinne@tuni.fi
PhD Candidates
KALLE ANTTONEN
Kalle Anttonen received his medical degree from Tampere University in 2026 and is currently a PhD candidate in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
His PhD research within the FFHPV study investigates the impact of HLA-G polymorphisms on HPV-related outcomes, with a specific focus on serology and early gene expression.
Contact Dr. Anttonen by e-mail: kalle.anttonen@tuni.fi
HENNI HUHTAMO
Henni Huhtamo received Medical Degree from the University of Tampere in 2025.
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 Dr. Huhtamo by email: henni.huhtamo@tuni.fi
MARIANNE KAMAJA
Contact Dr. Kamaja by email: marianne.kamaja@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 sixth-year medical student.
His PhD project evaluates the role of extended HPV genotyping in the cervical cancer screening program by utilizing 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 graduated as a medical doctor from Tampere University in 2026 and is currently a PhD candidate in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Her research focuses on gynecological cancer care, particularly cervical cancer screening, DNA methylation markers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care
Contact Hanna Pikkujämsä by e-mail: hanna.pikkujamsa@tuni.fi
SUVI RINTALA
Suvi Rintala received her medical degree from Tampere University in 2026 and is currently a PhD candidate in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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 Dr. Rintala 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
KRISTA VORMISTO
Contact Dr. Vormisto by email: krista.vormisto@tuni.fi
Co-Supervision of PhD Candidates
Eerika Karinen, Otorhinolaryngology, 2023 –
Teemu Taalamo, Otorhinolaryngology, 2026 –
Medical Advanced Studies / Bachelor’s Students
Adele Holmström, 2025 –
Senni Kanervo, 2026 –
Qiang Karhula, 2023 –
Ilona Ketola, 2024 –
Kaapo Kummunsalo, 2026 –
Meeri Lamberg, 2024 –
Ella Martola, 2025 –
Markus Meriö, 2023 –
Siiri Mäki-Rahkola, 2025 –
Tiina Mäntylä, 2024 –
Roosa Mättö, 2026 –
Maiju Pokkinen, 2023 –
Silja Soini, 2026 –
PAST STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS
Past Medical Advanced Studies/Bachelor’s
Tilda Hovi, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2024-2026
Kalle Anttonen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2026
Sanni Rinne, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2026
Eka Luhtanen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022-2025
Nea Koskela, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2025
Siiri Leppälä, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2025
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
Tiina Koivisto, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022-2026
Nea Koskela, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2026
Sanni Rinne, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2023-2026
Laura Bergqvist, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2016-2025
Helmi Suominen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2021-2024
Nelli Kalliomaa, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018-2024
Penelope Gray, Epidemiology, 2020-2022
Past Post-docs
Tangtian He, Tampere University, 2024-2026
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