Doctoral students

Individuals interested in joining Global Health Group as a PhD student should contact the group. Potential applicants should note that, except some separate calls, the University of Tampere neither charges tuition fees nor offers any study scholarships for newly enrolled PhD students. Thus, the students will need to cover themselves both their personal costs, including travel and accommodation, as well as those expenses related to their possible thesis and research.

PhD studies at the Global Health Group are research based, which means that the majority of the work will be done around the students’ own research project. To obtain the PhD degree, the students are typically required to publish four scientific articles and a summary thesis from their research work. Additionally, the studies will include a minimum of 30 ECTS of coursework (approximately half a year), participation in the Global Health Group’s seminar series and regular supervisory discussions with the supervisors.

Each student’s program is tailored individually, through discussions between the student, the supervisor and the school’s committee for PhD studies. The students will be formally registered in the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering.


Completed Doctoral Theses

  • Bireshwar Sinha
    Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care in Low Birth Weight Infants on Breastfeeding Performance, Gut Function, and Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Low Middle Income Populations in the Indian Subcontinent
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 889, Tampere,
    2023
  • Mustafa Mahfuz
    Childhood Stunting in South Asian Slums
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 658, Tampere,
    2022
  • Juha Pyykkö
    Visual Attention and Early Cognitive Development in Rural Malawian Infants
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 522, Tampere,
    2022
  • Jaden Bendabenda
    The Associations of Malaria and Linear Growth Faltering in Infants and Young Children in Malawi
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 201, Tampere,
    2020
  • Austrida Gondwe
    Born too soon in Malawi : Maternal nutrition as a predictor of preterm delivery and community and professional views on the care of the preterm infant
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 111, Tampere,
    2019
  • Mihir Gandhi
    Methodological Issues in Health State Valuation in the General and Patient Populations
    Academic dissertation, Tampere University
    Tampere University Dissertations 3, Tampere,
    2019
  • Ulla Harjunmaa
    Nutrition Supplements, Oral Health and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Malawi
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2413, Tampere,
    2018
  • Tiina Teivaanmäki
    Child Growth Stunting and Development in Malawi
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2357, Tampere,
     2018
  • Nancy Dale
    Using Anthropometry to Optimize Nutrition Programs for Management of Acute Malnutrition
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2253, Tampere,
     2017
  • Chiza Kumwenda
    Effect of Consuming Small-Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements on Breast Milk, Energy and Nutrient Intake and the Association Between Amount of Breast Milk Intake and Growth and Development of Malawian Rural Children
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2246, Tampere,
     2017
  • Chrissie Thakwalakwa
    Effect of Lipid Based Nutrient Supplementation on Growth and Intake of Breast Milk, Energy and Nutrients in Rural Malawian Children
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2070, Tampere,
     2015
  • Anna Pulakka
    Physical Activity of Malawian Toddlers – Measurement, Effect of Nutrient Supplements and Parental perceptions
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2059, Tampere,
     2015
  • Charles Mangani
    Promotion of Healthy Growth with Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Among Rural Malawian Children
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 2038, Tampere,
     2015
  • Valerie Flax
    Cultural Factors Related to Home Treatment of Malnourished Infants in Malawi
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 1525, Tampere,
     2010
  • John Phuka
    Management of Infant Malnutrition in Rural Malawi
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 1451, Tampere,
     2009
  • Kenneth Maleta
    Growth and Undernutrition in Rural Malawian Children
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 934, Tampere,
     2003
  • Merimaaria Espo
    Infant Mortality and its Underlying Determinants in Rural Malawi
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 870, Tampere,
     2002
  • Péter Csonka
    Management of the Wheezing Toddler: Diagnostic Practices, Therapy, and Predictors of Symptom Persistence
    Academic dissertation, University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 814, Tampere,
     2001
  • Teija Kulmala
    Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in Rural Malawi
    Academic dissertation,  University of Tampere
    Acta Universitatis Tamperensis 785, Tampere,
     2000