Craig Primmer (b. 1970) is an Australian-Finnish researcher who studies the genetic makeup of fish together with his team. By studying the genetic basis of salmon’s life cycle, we can find ways of protecting biodiversity, both in nature’s own populations and in fish farming. Primmer works to investigate the reasons for fish behaviour, which will help develop the protection of fish in the changing environmental conditions. Some of the most important research findings Primmer has made in the field of conservation genetics in relation to the genetic makeup of fish have been published in the prestigious scientific magazine Nature, among others. Primmer has also published 200 other scientific articles.
Primmer received his doctorate from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in 1997 and the title of adjunct professor of ecological genetics from the University of Helsinki in 1999. In 2005, he was appointed professor of genetics at the Department of Biology of the University of Turku, and in 2017 he started as professor of genomics at the University of Helsinki.
Primmer’s scientific merits include being selected an academy professor twice. Another sign of the high international quality of Primmer’s research is the fact that he has been granted the Advanced funding of the European Research Council (ERC) twice. The funding is intended for top researchers for pioneering and ambitious projects that have considerable impact potential.
Award to strengthen Helsinki as a science city
The City of Helsinki Science Award has been given since 1996. The purpose of the award is to improve and promote Helsinki as a science city. The City of Helsinki Science Award is granted as recognition of the significant scientific work done by a Helsinki resident or work done in Helsinki.
Helsinki awarded research grants for urban research
On Helsinki Day, the City of Helsinki also awarded research grants to ten research projects. The total amount of the grants is EUR 73,000. The grants are intended for researchers with a Master’s degree, especially those working on their licentiate or doctoral thesis. The grants are also awarded to support junior post-doc researchers.
The grantees are selected based on the scientific quality and feasibility of the research plan and the topic’s significance for the City of Helsinki.
The City of Helsinki Research Grant awardees and topics are as follows:
Reija Ahola, Master of Education, University of Helsinki: Varhaiskasvatusalan veto- ja pitovoimatekijät sekä hyvinvoinnin johtaminen ja johtamisen tuki varhaiskasvatuksessa ja alueellisen segregaatiokehityksen ehkäisemisessä (“Attraction and retention factors of the early childhood education sector and management of well-being and support for the management in early childhood education and in the prevention of regional segregation”)
Rosa Huotari, Master of Theology, University of Helsinki: Urban theology of social inclusion in faith-based food assistance in Finland
Elisa Jokelin, Licentiate in Medicine, University of Helsinki: Toimintamallin vaikutukset terveysaseman tuloksiin (“Impacts of an operating model on the results of a health station”)
Jenni Marjokorpi, Master of Education, University of Helsinki: Kehittyvän kielitaidon arviointi Helsingin kaupungin perusopetuksessa: observointipohjaisen arviointimenetelmän käytön ja tulosten tarkastelu (“Assessing developing language skills in the basic education provided by the City of Helsinki: the use of an observation-based assessment method and a review of the results”) (Marjokorpi defended her thesis on 4 March 2023)
Hamed Mazaherylaghab, Architect, Tampere University: A territorial planning framework for green infrastructure in the EU: a case study of the metropolitan regions of Helsinki, Milan and Stockholm
Mika Mäkelä, PhD, University of Helsinki: Helsingin kantakaupungin saneeraus toisen maailmansodan jälkeen (“Renovation of central Helsinki after the Second World War”).
Cansu Pylkkänen, MA in Interior Arch., University of Helsinki: The intangible cultural heritage of Finland: did it prevail or experience a sensory reductionism in Helsinki since 1500 AD?
Saara Pyykkö, Landscape Architect, Master of Arts, Aalto University: Colour design of new neighbourhoods
Salla Veijonaho, M.Ed., University of Helsinki: Nuorten ilmastonmuutokseen liittyvä hyvinvointi ja sen yhteys heidän käyttämiinsä hallintakeinoihin ja ympäristövastuulliseen toimintaan osallistumiseen (“Young people’s well-being related to climate change and its connection to the management methods they use and their participation in environmentally responsible activities”)
Marika Ventovuori, M.Sc., Aalto University: Studies on neighborhood dynamics and urban policy