Three new university lecturers at the School of Chemical Engineering
Suvi Holmstedt
Suvi Holmstedt started working as a university teacher at the School of Chemical Engineering in January 2022. From June 2024 onward, she has worked in her new role as a university lecturer. Holmstedt holds a Master's degree from the University of Jyväskylä and a PhD from the University of Tampere.
During her studies, Holmstedt was, in her own words, ‘a steady worker’ who ended up choosing chemistry almost by accident. After graduating from an upper seconday school for visual arts, Holmstedt could have just as well decided to become an actor or an artist. During her master's studies, she became particularly interested in organic chemistry and decided to pursue a doctorate.
Holmstedt specialises in organic chemistry and teaches a laboratory course in organic chemistry to first-year students. She also contributes to the teaching of organic chemistry at Master's level, for example in the Research techniques course and by supervising synthesis projects in the Research project course. Holmstedt will also be responsible for a course in basic chemistry, which will begin in January 2025 and is open to all Aalto students, regardless of their university.
‘I've been doing organic chemistry for so long that I'm even a little nervous about how well I can teach, say, electrochemistry. It will be interesting to teach the basics of chemistry,’ says Holmstedt.
Alongside her teaching, Holmstedt works as part of the organic chemistry research group led by Professor Juha Siitonen. Holmstedt's research focuses on the development of new reactions and the total synthesis of natural products using chemicals from renewable resources.
Holmstedt emphasizes that chemistry is a craft that requires both technical skills and creativity: 'Organic synthesis requires competence in many different laboratory methods. On the other hand, you can and should be inventive in designing target molecules.’
Although research is independent in nature, it is also based on collaboration. ‘The best thing about doing research is working with different people in the laboratory,’ says Holmstedt.
Outside the lecture rooms and the labs, Holmstedt has a wide range of interests. She enjoys hiking and trekking, among other things. Her latest hobby is basketball, which Holmstedt decided to try after seeing an ad on social media:
"I like to try new things and the basketball group seemed like a fun thing to get involved in. If only I were a little taller, it would be easier to play. Maybe I'll grow taller if I really apply myself on the court.
Otto Mustonen
Otto Mustonen joined Aalto University in July 2024 as a university lecturer in general and inorganic chemistry. Having spent the last six years working in the UK, Mustonen has focused his research on different quantum states in magnetic materials. The applications of this research can be used, for example, in the manufacture of new types of quantum computers.
Mustonen is an alum of the School of Chemical Engineering, with a major in inorganic materials chemistry. During his studies, Mustonen experimented with working with batteries, but materials chemistry was the field that ultimately fascinated him the most.
Mustonen will be teaching first-year students in the English bachelor's programme. He is looking forward to meeting new students and to the opportunity to teach in English.
‘It's really nice to come back to a familiar department and to be able to share the knowledge I've gained over the last years, to share with new generations this wonderful gospel of chemistry! It's also great to be in a work community where teaching is truly valued,’ says Mustonen.
For Mustonen, the most fascinating thing about materials chemistry is the close combination of physics and chemistry. The highlight of his career so far has been working on particle accelerators in the UK, Switzerland and France. He has studied materials using nuclear reactors.
‘Because neutrons are not only particles but also waves, they can be used for experiments similar to X-rays. For example, the structure of materials can be studied much better with neutrons than with X-rays," he says.
In his spare time, Mustonen is an avid film buff, who enjoys films of all kinds. As a doctoral researcher, Mustonen ran a weekly club, where the participants gathered to watch lackluster movies.
‘We had some really fun times at the movie club. When you’re watching a bad film, there is a lower threshold to join in the middle of the film, watch for a while and leave. I like all kinds of films, but I also have a soft spot for bad films.’
Heli Lehtivuori
Heli Lehtivuori joined the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science as a University Lecturer in August. Lehtivuori has a background as a physicist-chemist and specialises in spectroscopy.
‘I have also been involved in developing the teaching method that will be used on the courses, so it will be interesting to partake in practical teaching work,’ says Lehtivuori.
During autumn 2024, Lehtivuori will be an assistant lecturer in Lauri Partanen's course Atomic Structure and Spectroscopy for doctoral students and will be the responsible lecturer in the spring 2025 course Fundamentals of Physics in Chemical Engineering. During the last five years, Lehtivuori has held administrative positions at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Tampere, first as a research coordinator and later as a research expert.
‘Time-domain spectroscopy has been my strength as a researcher. I have studied organic and biomolecules, for example phytochrome molecules. In the last few years I haven't done a lot of research as I've been working on the university side. Now, in teaching, I will get to do a completely different kind of job,’ says Lehtivuori.
Lehtivuori once applied to university to study physics and wanted to train as a teacher. In recent years, she has waited for suitable teaching opportunities while working as a research expert. At Aalto University, Lehtivuori found a role that fits her versatile skills in physics, chemistry and biology.
"Aalto has created a good career path for lecturers. At some point I might want to progress to senior lecturer, for example, but there is no rush. Not too many Finnish universities offer this opportunity of advancement yet, but at Aalto it is possible."
Lehtivuori is enthusiastic about her new position. University lecturers can also do research work, but Lehtivuori is most looking forward to interacting with students.
‘Physics may not always be a favourite for chemists, so my aim is to motivate them and broaden their perspective. Classical physics and quantum chemistry may not seem like the most interesting subjects for young chemists, but they will need them in the future.’
Lehtivuori also enjoys making art – her latest creations include a pine cone made out of concrete. She also enjoys her family's allotment garden, where she can escape the university bubble for a while. Work-life balance is also maintained by family dog Paavo, who notifies Lehtivuori when it's time to turn her attention to leisure activities.
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