Chem Awards 2024 recipients announced

Here are the recipients for CHEM Awards 2024. Congratulations everyone!

CHEM Teaching Act of 2024

Senior University Lecturer Reetta Karinen for long-term commitment to high-quality teaching

Reetta Karinen has played a pivotal role for many years in establishing the foundations of knowledge in chemical engineering among our students. Karinen employs teaching methods that are both effective and pedagogically sound, making learning accessible and engaging for students. Her lectures, teaching material and homework assignments are of the highest quality. Her courses are well structured to support student learning. Moreover, her passion for her field is evident in her work, which inspire her colleagues and students alike.

CHEM Impact Act of 2024

CIMANET doctoral pilot core team: Monika Österberg, Tiina Nypelö, Joanna Witos, Jukka Hassinen and Elli Käpylä for impactful team effort

The core team played a central role in conceptualising and applying for the CIMANET Doctoral Pilot funding: 
Total funding: €17M, with €9M allocated to Aalto University

Team roles:

• Monika as the Network Director
• Tiina responsible for education in the pilot 
• Joanna and Jukka coordinating the operation
• Elli overseeing industrial collaboration
• The pilot includes 14 projects with industrial partners, with a combined funding volume exceeding €1 M

CHEM Service Act of 2024

HR Partner Tiina Torvinen for proactive coordination of CMAT recruitments

During 2023-2024 CMAT successlully recruited four tenure-track professors and three lecturer-track lecturers  

Tiina Torvinen served as the dedicated HR partner throughout the entire recruitment process from announcing the openings to the final appointment decision. Such a tight timeframe required highly coordinated and efficient collaboration between the departmental committee and HR. 

Tiina’s proactive and professional approach allowed the recruitment committees to focus on academic matters, as she handled all HR-related aspects with exceptional timeliness and professionalism.

Beyond recruitments, Tiina has been instrumental in addressing everyday HR challenges within the CMAT Department. Her calm and solution-oriented attitude has been key in resolving many complex situations.

CHEM Research Act of 2024

Doctoral Researcher Erfan Kimiaei for impactful international collaboration

As a final-year doctoral researcher, Erfan has authored six publications this year resulting from strong international collaborations with researchers from Austria, Canada, Germany, Portugal, and the USA Of these, three are first-author publications, three are co-authored. All the papers have been published in respected journals with impact factors ranging from 5 to 10. Furthermore, Erfan has one pending U.S. patent demonstrating his dedication to translating research into practical innovations for benefit of society.

Additional Nomination: Enhancing Workplace Safety at CHEM

Doctoral Researcher Maija Vaara for initiative to tackle a persistent community-level safety issue

Maija has developed engaging pictograms about the risks related to contaminated gloves and door handles and implemented them at CHEM B corridor - a potential school-wide impact on safety.

Research Engineer Sanna Hellstén for streamlining the Risk Assessment process

Sanna has developed the process for Risk Assessments very intuitive and informative, leading to enhancement to overall safety at CHEM, impacting also CHEM graduates’ skills in their future careers especially in industry.