Research into physics of microscopically tiny organisms lands prestigious prize

Assistant Professor Matilda Backholm researches soft matter. Backholm’s work focuses on the effects of physical forces in soft, liquid and biological systems that she observes both experimentally and with the help of theoretical modelling. Now, that effort was recognised with the Väisälä award by the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters.

Backholm, who works at Aalto University’s Department of Applied Physics, has delved deep into the physics of microscopically tiny organisms such as brine shrimp and the movements of water droplets on water-repellent surfaces. Her attention is on the physical forces at play. That is why the Väisälä award prize jury, who awarded Backholm one of the two Väisälä awards for this year, contented that Backholm’s research has significantly increased our understanding of how small organisms adapt to their environment.

’I focus on discovering and solving fundamental problems in my field. I want to keep on doing curiosity-driven research and follow my intuition on what observations in the lab hide the most exciting physical questions,’ Backholm says.

Understanding the physics of tiny movements is crucial to future biomedical applications like ingested swarms of surgical robots known as mesorobotics. Backholm also invented a highly sensitive micropipette force sensor for measuring the viscoelastic properties, movement dynamics and interaction of tiny organisms. 

For Backholm, the Väisälä award is not just valued recognition of efforts but also an opportunity to take stock.

’Working as a scientist can be a lonely struggle to reach the solution to a very hard open question. We push the boundaries of knowledge and constantly need to grow in our own professional capacity. This recognition makes me stop and take some time to look at what I’ve already accomplished. It builds confidence in that I’m on the right track and gives energy and motivation to continue towards new challenges.’

Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters’ Väisälä award is handed out annually to merited researchers active in their field. The prize money, 15 000 euros, comes from the foundation’s Väisälä fund with the winners determined by the foundation’s board. The prize has been awarded since 2000. This year, the award ceremony took place on December 8 in Helsinki.