New professors pitched their research interests to each other

Provost Ilkka Niemelä welcomed the 13 new professors and the 20 other faculty members to the networking event organised at the School of Business on 4 October. Before the pitching of the new professors began, Ilkka Niemelä emphasised how important it is that they will introduce themselves to their colleagues from all the different schools of Aalto. This will hopefully facilitate integration of new faculty members.

The following professors (in the picture) presented themselves: Sandip Bankar CHEM, Tom Bäckström ELEC, Amin Chabchoub ENG, Parinya Chalermsook SCI, Aloke Ghosh BIZ, Mikko Jalas ARTS, Petri Jylhä BIZ, Jaakko Ketomäki ELEC, Anton Kuzyk SCI, Jouni Punkki ENG, Eija Tanskanen ELEC, Eeva Vilkkumaa BIZ, and Emma Master CHEM.

After the pitches, Professor Emma Master gave the keynote speech entitled 'Discovery to application of biocatalysts for renewable chemicals and materials'.

“Plants produce among the most diverse and useful polymers and chemicals on Earth. There is a huge potential to create renewable, high value chemicals and functional materials from plant fibre. My vision is that pursuing this potential can lead to reduced biofuel costs in the near-term, while ensuring the sustainability of biorefineries in the long-term”, said Emma Master. “Interdisciplinary research will be critical to society’s transition to a sustainable future, she continued.

After the more formal part of the networking event, Ilkka Niemelä welcomed all downstairs to Chydenia restaurant to have a snack and to continue to build networks within the community.

Communications Services’ Events team organised the Aalto University Professors’ networking event already for the 8th time.