Maiju Lehtiniemi is the new director of FINMARI

Research Professor Maiju Lehtiniemi has been appointed as the coordinator of FINMARI marine research infrastructure as of March 19, 2021. She follows in the position Timo Tamminen who, after seven years of heading FINMARI, will concentrate on hands-on research.

Maiju defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Helsinki in 2001 and became a docent in 2005. Her research has focused on the planktonic ecosystem, alien species and marine litter in the Baltic Sea. Maiju has led numerous research projects and worked in international expert groups since 2006. For the curious, her CV is here.

We asked about the moods of the new coordinator.

What are your feelings just now?

• Excited and enthusiastic!

Where is FINMARI in 4 years?

• FINMARI will be a nationally and internationally known and esteemed research infrastructure, which is easy to approach, and which integrates and facilitates harmonization in marine research and monitoring, as well as produces reliable and relevant information for the needs of maritime policy.

What is your message and to whom?

• FINMARI exists to serve every marine scientist. Come along, together we are more!