Dissertations

2024

• 82. Antonios Thanellas: Advancing segmentation of intracranial structures in brain imaging. Supervising professor: Matti Hämäläinen, thesis advisor: Risto Ilmoniemi, opponent: Jussi Tohka (University of Eastern Finland), 27 March 2024.
• 81. Antti Myllynen: Diffusion-driven charge transport in III–V optoelectronic devices. Supervising professors: Markku Sopanen & Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Jani Oksanen, opponent: Magnus Borgström (Lund University, Sweden), 08 March 2024.
• 80. Julia Jaatela: Investigating the white matter structure of the sensorimotor system in children with cerebral palsy. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Harri Piitulainen, opponent: Christos Papadelis (University of Texas at Arlington, USA), 09 February 2024.

2023

• 79. Athanasios Gotsopoulos: Interpretable artificial neural networks for fMRI data classification. Supervising professor: Jouko Lampinen, thesis advisor: Mikko Sams, opponent: Jussi Tohka (University of Eastern Finland), 21 December 2023.
• 78. Koos Zevenhoven: Unconventional MRI scanner technology and intelligent dynamics. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Risto Ilmoniemi, opponent: Lawrence Wald (Harvard Medical School, USA), 20 November 2023.
• 77. Pauliina Yrjölä: Electroencephalographic functional connectivity analysis in preterm infants. Supervising professor: Matias Palva, thesis advisors: Sampsa Vanhatalo & Anton Tokariev, opponent: Amir Omidvarnia (Research Center Juelich, Germany), 27 October 2023.
• 76. Mooud Amirkavei: Unravelling the effects of hormetic heat shock as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration. Supervising professor: Ari Koskelainen, thesis advisors: Helder André & Kai Kaarniranta, opponent: Anu Kauppinen (University of Eastern Finland), 26 May 2023.
• 75. Mia Illman (Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä): Beta rhythm modulation in evaluation of cortical sensorimotor function. Supervisors: Harri Piitulainen (University of Jyväskylä), Nina Forss (University of Helsinki and Aalto University) & Kristina Laaksonen (University of Helsinki), opponent: Sara Määttä (University of Eastern Finland), 21 April 2023.
• 74. Álvaro Chang-Arana: Investigating interpersonal accuracy in design and music performance - Contextual influences in mutual understanding. Supervising professor: Iiro Jääskeläinen, thesis advisors: Katja Hölttä-Otto & Mikko Sams, opponent: Jari Jussila (Häme University of Applied Sciences HAMK, Finland), 27 March 2023.
• 73. Ashwin Natarajan: Nucleic acid nanostructures: design, reconfigurability, and applications. Supervising professor: Anton Kuzyk, thesis advisor: Anton Kuzyk, opponent: Tim Liedl (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany), 24 March 2023.
• 72. Joonas Ryssy: DNA-based stimuli-responsive nanotechnology and materials. Supervising professor: Anton Kuzyk, opponent: Andreas Walther (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany), 24 February 2023.
• 71. Karoliina Tapani: Automated seizure detection for neonatal EEG. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisors: Nathan Stevenson & Sampsa Vanhatalo, opponent: Maarten De Vos (KU Leuven, Belgium), 25 January 2023.

2022

• 70. Yike Huang: DNA origami-based reconfigurable chiral plasmonic nanodevices for analytical applications. Supervising professor: Anton Kuzyk, thesis advisor: Anton Kuzyk, opponent: Friedrich Simmel (Technical University of Munich, Germany), 16 December 2022.
• 69. Hanna-Leena Halme: Methods for brain–computer interfaces utilizing MEG and motor imagery. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Lauri Parkkonen, opponent: Nathalie George (Institut du Cerveau - ICM, France), 02 December 2022.
• 68. Eija Raussi-Lehto: Äitiysneuvolapalvelut ja äitiyshuollon innovaatioiden kehittäminen. Supervising professors: Mika Gissler, Elina Hemminki & Risto Ilmoniemi, opponent: Jyrki Jalkanen (Keski-Suomen Sairaanhoitopiiri), 07 October 2022.
• 67. Emanuele Perra: Ultrasonically actuated medical needle: non-linear effects and applications. Supervising professor: Heikki Nieminen, thesis advisor: Heikki Nieminen, opponent: Michael R. Bailey (University of Washington, USA), 07 October 2022.
• 66. Aino Nieminen: Improving the reliability of transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Jaakko Nieminen & Selja Vaalto, opponent: Fabio Babiloni (University of Rome Sapienza, Italy), 29 June 2022.
• 65. Lina Smeds (Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki): Neural processing at the sensitivity limit of vision: from retinal circuits to behavior. Supervisor: Petri Ala-Laurila (Aalto University and University of Helsinki), opponent: Alapakkam P. Sampath (University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA), 25 March 2022.
• 64. Sergei Tugin: TMS and EEG in the study of human brain dynamics. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Vadim Nikulin, Julio C. Hernandez Pavon & Pantelis Lioumis, opponent: Jari Karhu (Satucon Ltd., Finland), 04 February 2022.
• 63. Marjo Rissanen: Comprehending translational design scenarios and implications in consumer health informatics. Supervising professor: Hanna Renvall, thesis advisors: Hanna Renvall & Jaakko Nieminen, opponent: Hannu Eskola (Tampere University), 07 January 2022.

2021

• 62. Ivan Zubarev: Developing machine-learning methods for the analysis of electromagnetic brain activity. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Lauri Parkkonen, opponent: Surjo Soekadar (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany), 23 April 2021.
• 61. Rasmus Zetter: Development of an on-scalp MEG system using optically-pumped magnetometers. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Lauri Parkkonen, opponent: Matthew Brookes (University of Nottingham, United Kingdom), 15 January 2021.

2020

• 60. Jan Schreier: Clinical applicability of deep learning for organ-at-risk segmentation in radiotherapy planning. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Hannu Laaksonen, opponent: John A. Lee (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium), 20 November 2020.
• 59. Antti Mäkinen: Applications of magnetic-field modeling for hybrid MEG and MRI. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Risto Ilmoniemi, opponent: Matthew Rosen (Harvard Medical School; MGH/Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, USA), 18 November 2020.
• 58. Maksym Tokariev (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Brain regions and networks supporting working memory and selective attention processing in typically developing and extremely preterm-born children. Supervisor: Synnöve Carlson (Aalto University and University of Helsinki), opponent: Alexander Leemans (University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands), 26 October 2020.
• 57. Sanna Koskela (Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki): The limits of visual sensitivity and its circadian control. Supervisors: Petri Ala-Laurila (University of Helsinki and Aalto University) & Kristian Donner (University of Helsinki), opponent: Samer Hattar (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA), 09 October 2020.
• 56. Teemu Turunen: The role of basal phosphodiesterase activity in the regulation of mouse rod photoresponses. Supervising professor: Ari Koskelainen, thesis advisor: Ari Koskelainen, opponent: Marie Burns (University of California, Davis, USA), 18 September 2020.
• 55. Marja Pitkänen: Ex vivo and corneal electroretinogram in temperature determination and functional characterization of the retina. Supervising professor: Ari Koskelainen, opponent: Juha Voipio (University of Helsinki), 12 June 2020.
• 54. Joonas Iivanainen: On-scalp magnetoencephalography: Theory, implementation and measurements. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Lauri Parkkonen, opponent: Gareth Barnes (University College London, United Kingdom), 13 March 2020.
• 53. Maria Hakonen: Prior experience shapes speech perception: a behavioural and neuroimaging perspective. Supervising professors: Iiro Jääskeläinen & Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Hannu Tiitinen, Patrick May, Iiro Jääskeläinen & Miika Koskinen, opponent: Viljami Salmela (University of Helsinki), 02 February 2020.
• 52. Tero Hakala: Processing of subword information in the human brain. Supervising professor: Riitta Salmelin, thesis advisors: Annika Hultén & Minna Lehtonen, opponent: Alec Marantz (New York University, USA), 24 January 2020.

2019

• 51. Karita Salo: Probing brain connectivity with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi & Selja Vaalto, opponent: Michel van Putten (University of Twente, Netherlands), 06 September 2019.
• 50. Hanna Kaltiainen (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): The effect of mild traumatic brain injury on oscillatory brain activity. Supervisors: Nina Forss & Hanna Renvall, opponent: Markus Butz (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany), 03 May 2019.
• 49. Tomi Karjalainen: Opioidergic regulation of human affiliative behavior: Evidence from positron emission tomography studies. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Lauri Nummenmaa & Lauri Tuominen, opponent: Christian Büchel (Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany), 26 April 2019.
• 48. Timo Saarinen: Rhythmic cortical dynamics in production of speech and hand motor sequences. Supervising professor: Riitta Salmelin, thesis advisor: Jan Kujala, opponent: Joachim Gross (University of Münster, Germany), 28 February 2019.
• 47. Zuyue Chen (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Studies on neural mechanisms underlying emotions: Experiments with pharmaceutical and physiological stimuli on behavior and brain signals in rodents and non-human primates. Supervisors: Synnöve Carlson (Aalto University and University of Helsinki) & Yuan-Ye Ma (Kunming University of Science and Technology, China), opponent: Xiao-Jun Xu (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), 25 January 2019.
• 46. Eero Huotilainen: Imaging and digital design for medical applications of additive manufacturing. Supervising professors: Ari Koskelainen and Jouni Partanen, opponents: Timo Jämsä (Oulu University) and Antti Salminen (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT), 18 January 2019.

2018

• 45. Juha Peltonen: Novel methods for magnetic resonance imaging quality assurance. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Eero Salli, opponent: Atle Bjørnerud (Oslo University Hospital, Norway), 16 November 2018.
• 44. Juulia Suvilehto: Maintaining social bonds via touching: A cross-cultural study. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisor: Lauri Nummenmaa, opponent: Francis McGlone (Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom), 15 November 2018.
• 43. Mikko Lilja: Projection and motion estimation methods for computed tomography. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Petri Kotiluoto, opponent: Samuli Siltanen (University of Helsinki), 14 September 2018.
• 42. Juha Gogulski (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Prefrontal control of the tactile sense. Supervisors: Synnöve Carlson (Aalto University and University of Helsinki) and Antti Pertovaara (University of Helsinki), opponent: Jari Karhu (University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio and Nexstim Plc, Helsinki), 24 August 2018.
• 41. Iina Aaltonen: Usability of emerging technologies: user studies with wearable, multimodal and augmented reality solutions. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisor: Jari Laarni, opponent: Chris Baber (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom), 17 August 2018.
• 40. Minna Pitkänen: Characterization of motor cortical function with navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi, Petro Julkunen and Elisa Kallioniemi, opponent: Sandro Krieg (Technical University München, Germany), 01 June 2018.
• 39. Johan Westö: Identifying and modelling context sensitivity in the auditory system of the brain. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Patrick May and Hannu Tiitinen, opponent: Shihab Shamma (University of Maryland, United States), 18 May 2018.
• 38. Niko Mäkelä: Locating functional brain areas with magnetic stimulation and electrophysiological neuroimaging. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi, Jukka Sarvas & Matti Stenroos, opponent: Laura Marzetti (University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy), 13 April 2018.
• 37. Eeva Parkkonen (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Stroke-induced excitability changes in human motor cortex. Supervisor: Nina Forss (University of Helsinki and Aalto University), opponent: Nick Ward (University College London, United Kingdom), 23 March 2018.
• 36. Dmitry Smirnov: Brain basis of sharing and transmitting representations of social world. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisor: Lauri Nummenmaa, opponent: James Kilner (University College London, United Kingdom), 22 March 2018.
• 35. Onerva Korhonen: The quest for consistency: Effects of node definition and preprocessing on the structure of functional brain networks. Supervising professor: Jari Saramäki, thesis advisor: Mikko Sams, opponent: Javier Martín Buldú (Center for Biomedical Technology, Madrid, Spain), 02 March 2018.
• 34. Heini Saarimäki: Decoding emotions from brain activity and connectivity patterns. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Lauri Nummenmaa & Iiro P. Jääskeläinen, opponent: Christian Keysers (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience), 16 February 2018.
• 33. Anna Maria Alexandrou: Neurophysiological correlates of producing and perceiving natural connected speech. Supervising professor: Riitta Salmelin, thesis advisor: Jan Kujala, opponent: Sophie Scott (University College London, United Kingdom), 29 January 2018.
• 32. Kaisu Lankinen: Dynamics of cortical brain activity during movie viewing. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisors: Miika Koskinen & Riitta Hari, opponent: Laura Astolfi (University of Rome Sapienza, Italy), 19 January 2018.
• 31. Tuomas Mutanen: Advances in detecting neuronal EEG signals during electromagnetic brain stimulation. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Risto Ilmoniemi, opponent: Fabio Babiloni (University of Rome Sapienza, Italy), 12 January 2018.

2017

• 30. Lari Koponen: Implementing advanced transcranial magnetic stimulation technology. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi, Jaakko Nieminen & Matti Stenroos, opponent: Stefan M. Goetz (Duke University, USA), 27 October 2017.
• 29. Mikko Partanen: From quantum optics to energy and momentum transport in macroscopic structures. Supervising professor: Jukka Tulkki, thesis advisors: Teppo Häyrynen & Jani Oksanen, opponent: Martijn Wubs (Technical University of Denmark, Denmark), 26 October 2017.
• 28. Ville Mäntynen: The cardiomagnetic field: Non-invasive mapping of atrial fibrillation and model-based characterization of sensitivity and resolution. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Juha Montonen & Matti Stenroos, opponent: Jens Haueisen (Ilmenau University of Technology, Germany), 20 October 2017.
• 27. Anni Nora: Cortical sequence for processing and learning spoken word forms. Supervising professor: Riitta Salmelin, thesis advisors: Riitta Salmelin & Elisabeth Service, opponent: Kate Watkins (University of Oxford, United Kingdom), 21 June 2017.
• 26. Ping Jiang (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Working memory-related brain activity and networks in typically developing children and young adults. Supervisors: Synnöve Carlson (Aalto University and University of Helsinki) & Yuanye Ma (Kunming University of Science and Technology, China), opponent: Vesa Kiviniemi (Oulu University Hospital), 21 June 2017.
• 25. Jaakko Hotta (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Brain in complex regional pain syndrome. Supervisors: Nina Forss (University of Helsinki and Aalto University) & Riitta Hari (Aalto University), opponent: Christoph Maier (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany), 19 June 2017.
• 24. Johanna Metsomaa: Data-driven methods for analyzing TMS-evoked EEG responses. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi & Jukka Sarvas, opponent: Guido Nolte (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany), 12 May 2017.
• 23. Matti Tillander: Advanced techniques in magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Heikki Nieminen, opponent: Cyril Lafon (Inserm – French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, France), 28 April 2017.
• 22. Eero Smeds (Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki): Cortical processes related to motor stability and proprioception in human adults and newborns. Supervisors: Riitta Hari (Aalto University) & Lauri Parkkonen (Aalto University), opponent: James Kilner (University College London, United Kingdom), 24 March 2017.

2016

• 21. Petteri Hyvärinen: Neurophysiologically-based approaches to tinnitus diagnostics and treatment. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Antti Aarnisalo, opponent: Elina Mäki-Torkko (Linköping University, Sweden), 16 December 2016.
• 20. Silvia Bona (Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki): Investigating the functional roles of occipital face area and lateral occipital cortex with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Supervisors: Juha Silvanto (University of Westminster, United Kingdom) & Teija Kujala (University of Helsinki), opponent: Amanda Ellison (Durham University, United Kingdom), 14 September 2016.
• 19. Andrey Zhdanov: Capturing complex behavior in brain imaging: strategies and instrumentation.Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisor: Jyrki Mäkelä, opponent: Richard Burgess (The Cleveland Clinic, USA), 07 July 2016.
• 18. Jussi Alho: Speech motor system mediates phonetic categorization. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisor: Iiro Jääskeläinen, opponent: Riikka Möttönen (University of Oxford, UK), 17 June 2016.
• 17. Joakim Pyyry: Convolution and model based dose calculation methods in radionuclide and external-beam photon therapy. Supervising professor: Lauri Parkkonen, thesis advisors: Kalevi Kairemo & Mikko Tenhunen, opponent: Mark Konijnenberg (Erasmus Medical Centre, Netherlands), 15 April 2016.
• 16. Arno Solin: Stochastic differential equation methods for spatio-temporal Gaussian process regression. Supervising professor: Jouko Lampinen, thesis advisor: Simo Särkkä, opponent: Manfred Opper (Technische Universität Berlin), 08 April 2016.
• 15. Sini Merikallio: Computer modeling of light scattering by atmospheric dust particles with spheroids and ellipsoids. Supervising professor: Jukka Tulkki, thesis advisors: Timo Nousiainen & Ari-Matti Harri, opponent: Gorden Videen (US Army Research Lab), 11 March 2016.
• 14. Juho Kokkala: Particle and sigma-point methods for state and parameter estimation in nonlinear dynamic systems. Supervising professor: Jouko Lampinen, thesis advisor: Simo Särkkä, opponent: Fredrik Gustafsson (Linköping Universitet), 04 March 2016.
• 13. Anne Mandel: Brain correlates of social cognition and interaction. Supervising professor: Riitta Hari, thesis advisors: Riitta Hari & Lauri Parkkonen, opponent: Nathalie George (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière), 08 January 2016.

2015

• 12. Enrico Glerean: Dynamic similarity of brain activity in humans: from single areas to functional networks. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, opponent: Christopher J. Honey (University of Toronto), 18 December 2015.
• 11. Fariba Sharifian: Model-based exploration of interactions in the visual cortex. Supervising professor: Matti S. Hämäläinen, thesis advisor: Simo Vanni, opponent: Simon Thorpe (CNRS and Paul Sabatier University), 16 December 2015.
• 10. Siina Pamilo: New approaches to statistical analysis of fMRI data. Supervising professor: Riitta Hari, thesis advisors: Riitta Hari & Mika Seppä, opponent: Fabrizio Esposito (University of Salerno), 04 December 2015.
• 9. Kimmo Sääskilahti: Computational modeling and spectral analysis of nanoscale energy transfer. Supervising professor: Jukka Tulkki, thesis advisor: Jani Oksanen, opponent: Konstantinos Termentzidis (CNRS and Université de Lorraine), 03 December 2015.
• 8. Julio César Hernández Pavón: Transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG in studies of brain function. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Risto Ilmoniemi & Jukka Sarvas, opponent: Samu J. Taulu (University of Washington), 13 August 2015.
• 7. Ismo Miettinen: Cortical dynamics of speech perception in adverse listening conditions. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Hannu Tiitinen & Patrick May, opponent: Carsten Eulitz (University of Konstanz), 12 June 2015.
• 6. Lotta Hirvenkari (Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki): Natural stimuli and experimental setups in the study of the neural basis of social interaction. Supervisor: Riitta Hari, opponent: Kaisa Tiippana (University of Helsinki), 29 May 2015.
• 5. Elyana Saad (Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki): Interaction between visual perception and mental representations of imagery and memory in the early visual areas. Supervisor: Juha Silvanto (University of Westminster, United Kingdom, and Aalto University) & Teija Kujala (University of Helsinki), opponent: Antoni Valero-Cabre (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France), 05 May 2015.
• 4. Kalle Kotilahti: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy of the neonatal brain: Instrumentation, methods and experiments. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisors: Ilkka Nissilä & Timo Kajava, opponent: Martin Wolf (University Hospital Zürich), 06 February 2015.
• 3. Kirsi Palmu: Event detection in preterm electroencephalography. Supervising professor: Risto Ilmoniemi, thesis advisor: Sampsa Vanhatalo, opponent: Ari Pääkkönen (Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland) 30 January 2015.
• 2. Juha Lahnakoski: Brain mechanisms underlying perception of naturalistic social events. Supervising professor: Mikko Sams, thesis advisors: Lauri Nummenmaa & Iiro Jääskeläinen, opponent: Andreas Bartels (University of Tübingen), 16 January 2015.
• 1. Tomi Peltola: Sparse Bayesian linear models: Computational advances and applications in epidemiology. Supervising professor: Jouko Lampinen, thesis advisors: Aki Vehtari & Pekka Marttinen, opponent: Tom Heskes (Radboud University), 12 January 2015.