MEET THE SPEAKERS AND EXPERTS
They inspire, innovate, and drive change in maritime sustainability.
Ph.D. Ulla Tapaninen is Tenured Full Professor (maritime transport) at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia, and Adjunct Professor (maritime economics and logistics) at the University of Turku, Finland. Since March 2025 she serves as a board member of the Port of Helsinki. Tapaninen has over 30 years of experience in logistics and maritime transport in academia, public and private sectors.
Dr. Teemu Manderbacka is the Maritime Research Team Leader at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. With a Ph.D. in Marine Technology from Aalto University and an extensive background in Naval Architecture, Teemu has spearheaded numerous maritime research initiatives. He specializes in fluid dynamics, hydrodynamics numerical methods, and advanced maritime technologies.
Dr. Mikael Lind is the world’s first (adjunct) Professor of Maritime Informatics engaged at Chalmers and Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and a well-known expert in the field of digital collaboration and innovation frequently surfaced in international trade press. He is an expert contributor at the World Economic Forum, Europe’s Digital Transport Logistic Forum (DTLF), and UN/CEFACT.
Anna Zmiievska is an expert in attracting EU grant funding for research and innovation (R&I) projects. Since 2011, she has worked across universities, RTOs, and private consultancies, as a proposal writer, EU project manager, and innovation strategist. Anna has supported the preparation and submission of over 100 proposals under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe and has been actively involved in the implementation of more than 20 collaborative projects.
PhD Maurice Jansen is an engaged scholar, education innovator and business ecosystems developer. He is driven by exploring and sharing port and transport knowledge. As a scholar, Maurice engage with business professionals in action research, design and delivery of education solutions. As a business developer, he has a keen interest in blue innovation ecosystems, decarbonization pathways in shipping and serious game development.
Mr. Janne Valkonen is a Discipline Leader for Cold Climate Advisory in DNV Maritime Advisory Norway. He is M.Sc. naval architect, graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology, specializing in Arctic marine technology. Mr. Valkonen has more than 10 years experience in risk management services in maritime industry. He has been working with project risk management, fairway and offshore wind farm navigation risk assessments and enterprise management. Fare part of his risk management work concerns on safety of and risks related to new decarbonization technologies for shipping.
Dr. Kati Lehtoranta is a principal scientist at VTT and adjunct professor with a focus on emission control with sustainable fuels and exhaust aftertreatment. She has over 25 years R&D experience in the field of engine emissions and emission reduction technologies and her recent research has focused strongly on marine emissions.
Dr. Arttu Polojärvi is a tenured Associate Professor of Ice Mechanics at Aalto University. His research focuses on numerical ice mechanics, sea ice failure processes and ice loads on offshore structures, including offshore wind turbines. He also develops numerical modelling tools and conducts experiments to study sea ice behaviour and validate computational models.
Helena Orädd, Head of the Maritime Transport Unit at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is a Naval Architect with a major in arctic ship and marine mechanics. She also has a Watchkeeping Officer degree. Helena’s unit at FTIA implements statutory responsibilities, arranging and ensuring safe and fluent winter navigation for the Finnish industry. Helena has versatile experience from winter navigation and icebreaking, including sailing onboard the DAT Tempera and she’s worked for the Finnish state-owned icebreaking company. During her 13 years at FTIA, she’s gathered experience from several projects, including EU-funded actions, benefiting the winter navigation system and shipping.
Ilkka Perälä is a research scientist at VTT Maritime team. Ilkka received his M.Sc. in faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 2012 from Aalto University. Ilkka Previously worked in Arctech Helsinki Shipyard as a hull structural analyst and he joined VTT in 2016. His expertise is in ice loads on propulsion units and various model and full-scale measurement activities related to ships and similar structures. Ilkka Has been working as coordinator in multiple research projects.
Dr. Juhani Hyvärinen is Professor of Modelling in Nuclear Engineering LUT University, Lappeenranta. He has been full professor at LUT since 2013 and he has recently focused on passive safety systems, Small Modular Reactors (SMR), Maritime Reactor safety and licensing, and overall safety. From 2007 to 2013 Dr. Hyvärinen was the Chief Nuclear Officer in Fennovoima. Before Fennovoima, Dr. Hyvärinen worked at Finnish nuclear regulator STUK for 18 years. Prof. Hyvärinen is the chairman of a Loviisa nuclear power plant safety committee and in 2022-2025 he served as a member of the LUT University Board. Beyond academia, Prof. Hyvärinen is also a co-founder and Chief Nuclear Officer of SEATOM Technologies Oy, a company advancing maritime nuclear technologies for shipping companies, and co-founder and Senior Expert, Nuclear Safety in Nordic Nuclear Energy AB.
Magnus Gustafsson is Head of Research in Industrial Management at Åbo Akademi University. His research focuses on industry change and how new technologies enable new ecosystems and business models that change the competitive landscape. He has been involved in many projects bringing new technologies to market. He is at present working with developing the new business models, investment models and ecosystem needed for electrification of shipping.
Dr., Mia Elg has 19 years of experience with various ship energy efficiency and machinery design related tasks. Mia Elg’s current role as R&D manager is related to leading the development of Deltamarin’s new products and services and managing the larger joint industry development projects. She is a part of Deltamarin’s sales team with consultation services and studies as a specific focus area. Mia finalised her doctoral studies at Aalto University in 2025 that she conducted at the side of the work. The thesis title is: “Modelling, analysing and optimising ship energy systems – for decarbonised shipping”.