BIO

I am a Research Scientist at the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) in Helsinki, Finland, with expertise in polar ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystems.Since 2019, I have also served as Adjunct Professor in Aquatic Sciences at the University of Helsinki.I hold a Master’s degree in Biological Oceanography (2005, Tuscia University, Italy) and a PhD in Oceanography (2009, University of Bologna, Italy).My previous research experience includes positions at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC, Italy), the National Research Council – Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR, Italy), the Finnish Institute of Marine Research (FIMR), the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), and Tallinn University of Technology (TUT, Estonia).

On board of RV Agulhas II, July 2022 during the SCALE winter cruise to the marginal ice zone of the Southern Ocean, following the Good Hope line.

Among my hobbies, I enjoy scuba diving and free diving.

My Interests

Since 2006, I have worked extensively with marine biogeochemical models, with a particular focus on ecosystem and biogeochemical dynamics in ice-covered oceans.I am especially fascinated by sea ice—its ecology, biogeochemistry, and role in the climate system—and I enjoy combining modelling with field work in both the Arctic and Southern Oceans.I am the lead developer of the first stoichiometric sea-ice biogeochemical model (BFM), which uses internal flexible stoichiometry to capture the acclimation patterns that organisms exhibit in their natural environment.

My Expertise & Skills

I work at the intersection of modelling and field science to understand how polar oceans function and respond to change. My expertise spans marine biogeochemical modelling, sea-ice ecology and biogeochemistry, polar ocean ecosystems, sea-ice algae and phytoplankton dynamics, climate change impacts, climate scenarios, future projections, and science communication.From writing code to working on the ice, I combine technical and hands-on skills: programming (e.g., Fortran, Matlab, Linux), fieldwork in extreme environments, ship-based expeditions, laboratory work, and public speaking for both scientific and public audiences.

Teaching at CHARS station in Cambridge Bay (Nuvanut, Canada) at the BEPSII Sea Ice Field School, May 2022.

Speaking at the European Polar Science Week, Cophenaghen (Denmark), September 2024.

My Appointments

Among my appointments:I am CO-CHAIR of the BEPSII working group since 2023. I am also task lead for OUTREACH at BEPSII since 2016.I am VICE-CHAIR of the IASC Cryosphere WG since 2024 and representing Finland in the same WG since 2022.I am a MEMBER of the WCRP 's Clivar/CliC Northern Oceans Region Panel since 2023.I am a scientific EDITOR for sea ice in the Journal of Glaciology since 2025.

Working in the lab on board RV Aranda for the Baltic sea ice cruise during March 2016.

Collecting ice samples from pancakes, RV Agulhas II, SCALE cruise in the Southern Ocean, July 2022.