6 December 2021 – Asked what she likes most about being a researcher in Finland, Johanna Ivaska points to a great working environment, international connections, and stunning nature. “Finland is small, but it is very collaborative – the level of science and core facilities are excellent,” says Ivaska, who is professor at the University of Turku Bioscience Center and a native Finn. “Things also function well, you can have a great work-life balance, and Finland is amazing in every season – many foreign researchers end up staying for years.”
Ivaska leads a multidisciplinary team of 17 researchers that studies how integrins contribute to cancer. “We want to know how cancer cells interact with their environment,” she explains. “Cancer progression involves intense cross-talk between tumours and surrounding tissue, affecting every aspect from initiation to spread and drug sensitivity. We carry out both fundamental and translational research. It’s exciting to combine unexpected discoveries with learning how drugs are developed.”
Elected an EMBO Member in 2015, Ivaska benefited from being an EMBO Postdoctoral Fellow and EMBO Young Investigator in the past. “These were some of the most important experiences in my career, connecting me with excellent peers and providing great visibility,” she says. “EMBO Fellowships have also been pivotal in bringing scientists to my team and enabling team members to collaborate with other groups.”
