I have the title of docent (adjunct professor) in urban ecology and I have been in recent years studying ecosystem services provided by urban green areas. I am especially interested in the impact of urban vegetation, such as trees, on the concentrations of air pollutants (e.g. NO2, O3, VOCs, PAHs, SO2, particulates) and if vegetation can or cannot improve air quality in cities and provide an important ecosystem service for urban inhabitants. My goal is to provide much needed empirical research data on the topic by accurate measurements. My local-scale studies include different plant configurations, climatic regions and seasons as well as various urban environments (e.g. near-road environments, street canyons, urban parks and forests, residential areas). Moreover, I am studying the operationalisation of ecosystem services in urban planning and decision-making. For latest updates of my research and publications, see also my ResearchGate profile.

Academic Education and Merits

• Adjunct Professor (The Title of Docent) in Urban Ecology, University of Helsinki, March 2018.

• Ph.D. (Environmental Sciences), University of Helsinki, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, January 2007.

• M.Sc., University of Helsinki, Department of Ecology and Systematics, June 2001. Major: morphological-ecological zoology, Minors: environmental biology, environmental sciences.

• B.Eng., Espoo-Vantaa Institute of Technology, Department of Industrial Engineering, Biotechnology, May 1996. Special modules: e.g. Environmental technology, New biotechnology, Chemical engineering.