Luke strengthens its performance in research by new research professor appointments
Lauri Mehtätalo, Petteri Packalen, Taina Pennanen, Pasi Rautio and Seija Tuulentie have been appointed to Natural Resource Institute’s (Luke) research professors
D. Sc. Lauri Mehtätalo has been appointed to Research Professor in Mathematical Modeling for Forest Planning. Mehtätalo's areas of interest are forest planning, forest inventory and modeling. In particular, he will strengthen the development of forest planning systems and the models used in them (forest structure and dynamics). Mehtätalo started in his position on 1.5.2021. Mehtätalo previously worked as a professor of applied statistics at the University of Eastern Finland.
D. Sc. Petteri Packalen starts on 1.11.2021 as Research Professor in Remote Sensing of Forests. Packalen's research area includes remote sensing of forests, also covering ecosystem services other than wood production. The package will strengthen Luke's remote sensing research to monitor the condition of forests, in what way data collection can be done by means of remote sensing. Previously, Packalen worked as a professor of optimization of forests at the University of Eastern Finland.
PhD Taina Pennanen has been appointed to Research Professor in Agricultural Soil Science. The work includes research on soil and its processes to promote sustainable cultivation methods and crop production in arable land. Pennanen started on 1.9.2021. Pennanen is a soil biologist and has made a research career in the nutrient cycle of ecosystems. He previously worked as a principal scientist at Luke.
PhD Pasi Rautio has been appointed to Research Professor in Silviculture. Rautio's research has focused on reforestation, the suitability of different forest management methods in Finnish conditions, forest fertilization and the multiple uses of forests. Rautio will strengthen Luke's research related to silviculture and natural reforestation, as well as alternative forest treatment methods. Rautio started on his position on 1.9.2021. Before this position, Rautio worked as a principal scientist in Luke.
D Soc Sc Seija Tuulentie started as a Research Professor in Arctic sustainable livelihoods on 15.8.2021. The aim is to find and develop solutions that utilize Arctic natural resources, especially with regard to overall sustainability and the well-being of communities. The solutions support the responsible use of renewable Arctic resources. Tuulentie worked as a senior scientist in Luke before this position.
-With these professor recruitments, Luke strengthens its performance in research areas that are important to our operations. Professorships in forest sciences and agricultural lands are at the heart of Luke, and the professorship in sustainable livelihoods addresses very topical sustainability issues as livelihoods invest in the use of renewable resources. Professors also play a key role as the oldest in their disciplines and thus as directors and mentors of research, comments Antti Asikainen, Executive Vice President in Research.
Research professors are in key positions for the scientific expertise and international visibility and effectiveness of Luke. The aim is to ensure top-level research in fields that are strategic for Luke, as well as applicability of research in business.
