Stories from alumni and students
Around the world in seven months – Aalto student Anton Eklund prepares for demanding sailing competition
Eklund, a student of electrical engineering and automation, has put the lessons he has learned at Aalto to the test as he has renovated his team’s sailboat.
Aalto Alumni Strategy Circle shared insights on sustainability and strategy
Sustainability in strategy was discussed at the Aalto Alumni Strategy Circle’s second after work event on 8 March 2023.
Sahar Babaeipour dreams of entrepreneurship – but before that, she wants to graduate as a doctor
The doctoral research conducted by Sahar Babaeipour, a doctoral researcher at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center, aims at a more sustainable packaging industry.
Matteo Iannacchero, a developer of bio-based yarns: ‘I value the freedom of science’
In his doctoral research conducted at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center, Iannacchero uses machine learning to develop ecologically sustainable electronic yarns. This is an opportunity to come up with something completely new.
Various career paths: Markus Puhakka develops a family-run horticultural business and enjoys gardening in the spring
Puhakka, who also considered the profession of a wilderness guide, studied marketing and international business management at the School of Business. Now he combines his business expertise with garden work in a Finnish family business specialising in horticulture.
Katja Soini is the Alumna of the Year of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
The design professional is Senior Advisor at AFRY working with the built environment. She's also Chair of the design professionals’ association Ornamo. Soini is delighted that design is now recognised as a key factor in business management.
Alumna Miia Martikainen: my heart beats for solving the challenges of our society's well-being
‘I became interested in business studies because I felt that through them, I could be part of making an impact that matters’ says Miia Martikainen, our alumna. Martikainen has been working as a consultant for almost a decade now, and she is currently in her dream job solving the future challenges of the public social and health care system.
Ninni Norra nabs a School of Business student place via the special achievements category
The special achievement (erityiset saavutukset) referred to in this applicant category may be any achievement in entrepreneurship, leadership, volunteerism, sports, music, art, or science and technology that is particularly significant compared to the average in the same age group
Various career paths: tax expert Saara Hietanen is building a better world
Saara Hietanen became interested in organisational activities in upper secondary school through her love for animals, but only started a career in organisations and advocacy work after working in an international auditing company. Instead of animal rights, Hietanen ended up promoting fair taxation.
Alumni and friends of Aalto gathered in NYC to learn about the predictability of stock returns
The meet-and-greet was organized at the Consulate General of Finland in New York City on February 6th.
Student Flavie Ailhaud enjoys Aalto's flexible course selection and Finnish nature
Communications and Data Science student spent her first year at Grenoble and now she is studying the second year at Aalto University
Sakari Poikkimäki is replacing harmful chemicals with enzymes: ‘We can use small biological organisms in many everyday products’
Chemical engineering alumnus Sakari Poikkimäki works as a fermentation expert at Roal Oy, a company that manufactures enzymes. Studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering led to a dream job where small living organisms are harnessed for good.
Iita Kejonen is involved in recycling battery metals from electric cars: ‘By working in industry, I can influence the development of the entire field’
Studies in materials science and engineering at the School of Chemical Engineering led to work with battery metals and minerals. As a Technology Manager, Iita can influence the development of responsibility in the entire automotive sector.
Laureen Mahler uses origami folding to create bio-based packaging that is also pleasant to look at
Many products of the packaging industry are made of plastic and other fossil-based materials. The Aalto University Bioinnovation Center is developing ecological packaging solutions based on origami folding which also have value as beautiful objects.
Towards a sustainable packaging industry – Madhawa Basnayaka develops ecological and intelligent packaging
Basnayaka’s doctoral research conducted at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center aims to find intelligent packaging solutions, in which biomaterial replaces electronics parts made of plastic.
'In our field, it would require quite a bit of effort to graduate unemployed'
Sami Nieminen graduated as a Master of Science in Technology in the summer of 2022, majoring in human-computer interaction.
Alumnus Michael Hanf: Finland provides a great place to live and work
‘Helsinki caught my attention as it was different from the typical locations my fellow students selected.’ says Michael Hanf who came to do exchange studies at the then Helsinki School of Economics in the end of 1990s. After that he has been working in Finland and Germany and currently is the co-founder of Taival Advisory, helping clients to consider sustainability and circularity in their strategic decision making.
Alumnus Mikko Jääskeläinen: Studying at the School of Business has opened many professional doors
Our alumnus Mikko Jääskeläinen, who majored in Creative Sustainability and also studied finance, ended up working in management consulting after graduation. While in that position, he became fascinated by transport and real estate infrastructure projects, which led him to a job involving urban economy and land use general planning for the City of Helsinki, and from there, a position at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The best parts of his job are the interesting tasks and his knowledgeable colleagues.
Elizaveta wants to improve people’s lives through biotechnology
In autumn 2022, Elizaveta Sidorova began her Master’s studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. After working with cell biology and bioproducts in the past, she is now exploring the field of biotechnology and looking forward to doing work that can have a genuinely positive impact on people’s lives.
Meishan Lin wants to start a company that can benefit humanity
Meishan Lin’s dream is to start a cancer research and drug discovery company. She is currently completing the second year of her Bachelor’s studies at Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering.
