Honorary title of Academician of Science conferred to Maarit Karppinen, Martti Nissinen and Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
Professor Maarit Karppinen, Professor Martti Nissinen and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala have been awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science, the highest honour that can be bestowed on any individual scientist in Finland. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb granted the titles at a presidential session on 9 October 2026.
Professor Maarit Karppinen’s field is inorganic chemistry, Professor Martti Nissinen’s theology and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala’s molecular medicine. They are all highly distinguished scientists and scholars with a pioneering track record in their respective fields of research. Their work has wide-ranging relevance and impact across different sectors of society.
The title of Academician of Science can be held by no more than 16 distinguished Finnish scientists and scholars at a time. The title is conferred by the President of the Republic based on nominations by the Research Council of Finland (RCF).
New materials for energy technology and nanotechnology
Professor Maarit Karppinen is a Finnish chemistry researcher and an internationally renowned expert in materials chemistry. Karppinen is Professor of Inorganic Materials Chemistry at Aalto University and has been awarded the title of Aalto Distinguished Professor. Karppinen is particularly known for her pioneering research into the development of new materials for next-generation energy technology and nanotechnology.
Karppinen’s research work combines the design, fabrication, characterisation and assessment of functional properties of materials in an exceptionally versatile way. Her research has had a significant international impact.
According to Karppinen, building a sustainable bridge between fundamental academic research and the industrial sector requires long-term effort so that the various stakeholders involved can find a common language and clearly defined roles. “In my experience, it’s possible to establish close industrial collaboration in such a way that genuinely scientifically significant research can be carried out within that framework.”
Karppinen has managed to secure significant external funding for her research. For example, she has received two Advanced Grants and two Proof of Concept Grants from the European Research Council (ERC). Karppinen is also a member of the ERC Scientific Council.
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Societal understanding of linkages between religion, culture and history
Professor Martti Nissinen is a Finnish theologian and an internationally renowned scholar of the Old Testament. Nissinen, Professor of Old Testament Studies at the University of Helsinki since 2007, is one of the world’s leading scholars in his field.
His research has focused in particular on the literature of the ancient Near East, prophecy, the historical and cultural linkages of Old Testament texts, and the study of gender and sexuality in an ancient context. His work has significantly enhanced our understanding of how biblical texts were formed as part of the wider cultural and religious context of the ancient Near East.
Nissinen has held a number of significant national and international positions of trust: In addition to his scientific work, Nissinen has been a prominent social debater, who has given hundreds of public talks and appeared extensively in the media on issues such as those relating to sexual and gender minorities. Nissinen’s research has influenced both academic debate and the wider societal understanding of the relationships between religion, culture and history.
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A pioneer of gene therapy
Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala is a Finnish medical researcher and an internationally renowned pioneer in molecular medicine and gene therapy. Ylä-Herttuala has been a key figure in the development of Finnish biomedicine and gene therapy research.
He is particularly well known for his research into the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, the development of new gene transfer methods, and the successful translation of fundamental research into clinical applications. Ylä-Herttuala’s research group has produced results that have led to a number of internationally significant clinical trials in gene therapy in Europe and the United States.
His research work has had an exceptionally significant impact both scientifically and in society at large, and he has played a key role in the development of industrial-scale gene therapy manufacturing. Ylä-Herttuala has secured substantial international funding for his research, including several European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grants, as well as Centre of Excellence and Flagship funding from the Research Council of Finland. He is the Director of the RCF’s GeneCellNano Flagship and has held several significant positions of trust in the international arena.
- Read a longer version: Seppo Ylä-Herttuala receives honorary title of Academician of Science
Photos of the Academicians are available to the media in the RCF media bank.
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