Annina Kantelinen

Personal profile

Description of research and teaching

I am a lichenologist studying evolution, systematics and conservation biology. I am especially interested in uncovering the diversity of lichens, and finding out how intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the speciation and eco-evolutionary dynamics of these fascinating symbiotic organisms. Since 2007, I have conducted research on several lichen genera and their photobionts from across the world. I am specialised in genus Micarea, a wide-spread and diverse group of small crustose lichens.

After my PhD, that focused on taxonomy and systematics, I wanted to develop my skills and embark broader evolutionary questions. As a postdoc in 2019, I spent several months in Uppsala (Evolutionsmuseet) and Frankfurt (Senckenberg Museum), and at the moment I live and work in Helsinki (Luomus). I use Micarea as a model to study evolutionary questions and speciation.

As methods, I use modern and traditional applications, that include microscopy, morphological characters, TLC, DNA methods (barcoding, multi-gene and genomic data) and computational tools. Natural history collections are at the heart of my research. I also value cooperation and enjoy working alongside researchers who have different ideas and skills.

I teach at the university and have recently completed pedagogical studies focusing on higher education. As a university teacher, I emphasise student-focused strategies, and support deep learning, social learning and motivation. I’m also deeply interested in scientific communication and journalism, and took part in Suomen Luonto #Muutos-magazine training for scientists in 2019.

I have positions of trust as a member of the Finnish Red List and Finnish Nomenclature committees for lichens, and as a vice-chairperson for the Finnish Biological Society Vanamo.

My name changed recently: I published as Annina Launis until the end of 2019, and since that, as Annina Kantelinen.

Fields of Science

1181 Ecology, evolutionary biology

International and National Collaboration Publications and projects within past five years.

Publications

22 Article
6 Chapter
3 Conference contribution
1 Poster
3 More

Taxonomy of Verrucaria species characterised by large spores, perithecia leaving pits in the rock and a pale thin thallus in Finland

Pykälä, J., Kantelinen, A. & Myllys, L., 2 Sep 2020, In : MycoKeys. 72, p. 43-92 50 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

Open Access

File

Four new epiphytic species in the Micarea prasina group from Europe

Launis, A., Pykälä, J., van den Boom, P., Serusiaux, E. & Myllys, L., Jan 2019, In : Lichenologist. 51, 1, p. 7-25 19 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

Jäkälät: Lichens Lichenes

Pykälä, J., Jääskeläinen, K., Rämä, H., Launis, M. A., Vitikainen, O. J. & Puolasmaa, A., 2019, Suomen lajien uhanalaisuus – Punainen kirja 2019: The 2019 Red List of Finnish Species. Hyvärinen, E., Juslén, A., Kemppainen, E., Uddström, A. & Liukko, U-M. (eds.). [Helsinki]: Ympäristöministeriö & Suomen ympäristökeskus, p. 263-312 50 p.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Professional

Open Access