Research interests

I am deeply interested in the origins and effects of human metabolic liver disease, particularly 'metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease' (MASLD/NAFLD)—the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally.

My work is driven by the conviction that rigorous and innovative clinical research is the key to breakthroughs in treating chronic conditions. I aim to address critical questions regarding the bidirectional impact of liver disease on metabolic health, investigating how key disease-causal metabolic pathways are influenced by acquired and genetic risk factors. To achieve this, I integrate interventional metabolic/nutritional studies with in vivo isotope tracer techniques, advanced imaging modalities, and multi-omics analyses. Additionally, I utilise computer vision to quantitatively study liver tissue microarchitecture and its heterogeneity in diseased states. This work aims to identify viable targets for the treatment of liver disease and metabolic dysfunction in humans.

I have published research on both existing and new biomarkers of liver fat and fibrosis in MASLD. My work has highlighted the limited effectiveness of some widely used fibrosis biomarkers in individuals with obesity, prompting changes in MASLD guideline recommendations. Additionally, I have established how magnetic resonance-derived liver fat measurements should be interpreted relative to conventional histological quantification of steatosis.

Currently, I am a research fellow at the University of Helsinki and Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research. My recent clinical practice includes work as a resident doctor in gastroenterology and hepatology at the Helsinki University Hospital. I have expertise in treating patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders as well as in endoscopic procedures.