Celebrating Excellence 2023 – time to acknowledge and celebrate research achievements and the best dissertations

Dean Jussi Ryynänen and vice-dean Vesa Välimäki started the event with an inspiring opening speech. Professor Paavo Alku gave this year’s Keynote speech. The theme for the speech was his research topic with linguistic information research. After the Keynote speech, The Helsinki Academic Male Choir KYL(Juho Leino, Ilkka Lähde, Joel Rinne and Heikki Autio)performed at the event.

Honours 

External Honours for 2023 were granted to the Senior University Lecturer Hanne Ludvigsen and Professor Visa Koivunen.

Hanne Ludvigsen was appointed for a fellow of the Optical Society. OPTICA is a leading professional society in optics and photonics, home to accomplished science, engineering, and business leaders from all over the world. This honour recognises her contributions to the field of photonic crystal fibres and optical sensors. 

Visa Koivunen was appointed for the Academia Europaea which promotes excellence in scientific research learning, and education. His research interest includes statistical signal processing, wireless communications, radar, multisensory systems, and machine learning.

Aalto ELEC Awards

ELEC Awards winners have been chosen by the vice deans Anouar Belahcen, Petri Mähönen, Vesa Välimäki and Dean Jussi Ryynänen. The winners are based on nominations submitted by staff.

Impact Award is awarded to a researcher or a research group for research-based innovation, or to a member of the Aalto ELEC community, who has in some concrete way promoted the integration of scientific knowledge into the society. 

Professor Jaan Praks was awarded with the Impact Award for the recognition of his dedication, courage, and remarkable success in spearheading the initiation of small satellite education and research initiatives. His achievements culminated in the successful launch of several small satellites, particularly the first-ever Finnish AALTO-1 nanosatellite, and the positioning of Aalto as a trailblazer in advancing satellite education and research in Finland

Enablers Award is given to a member of the service staff of Aalto ELEC who enables our success of with one´s contribution.

Katri Kotinurmi was awarded with the Enable Award of 2024 for being an exceptional HR partner whose approach is professionally ambitious but also exceptional in everyday HR service tasks. Her constructive approach to difficult topics but also, her helpfulness, positive attitude towards development and excellent communication skills have been acknowledged across our School.

Solutions for Sustainability Award is an acknowledgement to a researcher or a research group for creating solutions for grand challenges, or to any member of the Aalto ELEC community for pioneering sustainable solutions in our operations.

Professor Jukka Manner was awarded with the Solutions for Sustainability Award for his long-term commitment to addressing sustainability challenges within the ICT sector. His exceptional unwavering dedication is evident in his continuous efforts to raise awareness about the environmental impact of Information and Communication Technology.

Supervisor Award is given to an accomplished supervising professor or thesis advisor of doctoral theses. 

Professor Anne Lähteenmäki was awarded for striving her students towards ethical and ambitious research and guiding her students in an empathetic and goal-driven way as an academic mentor. 

Dissertation Awards 

The Doctoral Programme Committee awarded five recent doctorates for particularly excellent dissertations. The awards were presented by Vice Dean Vesa Välimäki.

Henri Hentilä 

Secret Key Generation for Secure Wireless Internet of Things

Supervised by Professor Visa Koivunen

Lassi Hällström 

Computer simulations for designing green energy solutions

Supervised by Professor Ilkka Tittonen

Henrik Kahanpää 

On atmospheric pressure measurements and dust devils on planet Mars

Supervised by Professor Esa Kallio

Elli Leppänen 

Exploring the complex and diverse world of carbon electrochemistry: Unraveling the interplay between structure-property relationships

Supervised by Professor Tomi Laurila

Alec Wright 

Neural Modelling of Audio Effects

Supervised by Professor Vesa Välimäki
 

Decorations awarded by the President of the Republic of Finland  

On Finland's Independence Day, President Sauli Niinistö awarded medals to three staff members of the School of Electrical Engineering. The awards were presented by Dean Jussi Ryynänen:

Professor Hele Savin, Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland 

Secretary Sanna Patana, Medal, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland 

Manager Marko Luoma, Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland 

Warm congratulations to all the winners!