UEF Neuro-Inno PhD Programme

Childhood neurological disorders can shape an entire lifetime. That is why research in neurodevelopmental and paediatric neurology is so important. 🧠 ❤️

In his latest blog, our doctoral researcher Shekhar Singh shares perspectives on how research is advancing our understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions and creating opportunities for earlier diagnosis, improved care, and better futures for children and their families. 🧒 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

👉 Read Shekhar's blog here: https://sites.uef.fi/neuro-innovation/2026/08/17/shekhar-singh-why-neurodevelopmental-and-paediatric-neurology-research-matters/

❓ Did you know that a cat with orange and black patches in its coat is 99% certainly a female? 🐈

In her latest blog, our UEF Neuro-Inno PhD Programme doctoral researcher Melina Estela Dalmau digs into X-chromosome inactivation — the process discovered by geneticist Mary Lyon in 1961, now known as Lyonization — and why it makes every female a genetic mosaic of two distinct cell populations.
🧬 It also explains why some genetic disorders play out so differently in males and females.

👉 Read the full story on 'silencing X': https://sites.uef.fi/neuro-innovation/2026/08/14/melina-estela-dalmau-silencing-x/



Itä-Suomen yliopisto - University of Eastern Finland (UEF)

Melina Estela Dalmau: Silencing X - MSCA Horizon 2020 Neuro-Innovation PhD programme | UEF Neuro-Innovation ❓ Did you know that a cat with orange and black patches in its coat is 99% certainly a female? 🐈 In her latest blog, our UEF Neuro-Innovation doctoral researcher Melina Estela Dalmau digs into X-chromosome inactivation — the process discovered by geneticist Mary Lyon in 1961, now known as Lyo...

❓ How do older immigrants experience social exclusion in Finland? 🇫🇮

According to the research conducted by our PhD researcher Alex Berg and colleagues, social exclusion can take many forms, including difficulties accessing healthcare and social services, experiences of prejudice and discrimination, as well as barriers in social relationships.

As Europe’s populations become older and more diverse, understanding these lived experiences is essential for developing more inclusive communities, services, and policies. 👵🏻👴👴🏿👴🏼👵👵🏾👴🏽The findings underscore the importance of cultural sensitivity and equitable access across health and social care systems.

👉 Read Alex's blog on the topic here: https://sites.uef.fi/neuro-innovation/2026/08/11/alex-berg-older-immigrants-in-finland-may-face-multiple-forms-of-social-exclusion/

👉 Want to read the full article? See the link in the comments.

Alex Berg: Older Immigrants in Finland May Face Multiple Forms of Social Exclusion - MSCA Horizon 2020 Neuro-Innovation PhD programme My research on older immigrants in Finland is approaching its final stages. My third and latest manuscript addressed the risk factors for social exclusion among older immigrants. This study focused on exclusion from services and social relations. This study is based on empirical evidence from semi-s...

🧠 From AI and big data to advanced imaging, the neuroscientist's toolkit is evolving rapidly.

In his latest blog, Shekhar Singh examines how emerging technologies are reshaping neuroscience research and driving new discoveries in brain health. Link in the comments!

How proud and happy we were to have the first PhD researcher from our programme defend his doctoral dissertation in a public examination at the @! 🥳 Our pioneer, Kaustubh Kishor Jadhav, did an awesome job ❤️ 🎓 💪

After a well-deserved vacation, Kaustubh has reflected on his entire PhD journey in his final blog post, offering words of encouragement to those who are not quite there yet.
👉 Read Kaustubh's blog post here: https://sites.uef.fi/neuro-innovation/2026/06/29/kaustubh-kishor-jadhav-the-final-chapter-lessons-learned-along-the-way/

Wrapping up a PhD and graduating takes much more than completing the dissertation manuscript 🎓
In our recent UEF Neuro-Innovation workshop on finalising the and preparing for the , our researchers explored not only the formal process and rich academic traditions, but also the practical arrangements surrounding the defence day and the post-doctoral celebration ( ) 🎉

We were also joined by two “experts by experience”, UEF postdocs, sharing valuable insights and hints on how to not just survive, but also enjoy, the big day ✨

Key takeaways:
* Prepare to explain your research and present your argument clearly and calmly 🧠
* Rehearse the protocol and flow of the public examination in advance 📖
* Anticipate questions on methods, results, limitations, impact, and future directions 🔍
* Remember: your defence is not just an endpoint, but also a milestone in a longer academic tradition, continuing beyond graduation to the conferment of doctoral degree in the doctoral conferment ceremony 🎓 (https://www.uef.fi/en/conferment-ceremonies)

Interested in learning more about the dissertation requirements and public examination at the University of Eastern Finland?
👉 https://kamu.uef.fi/en/tietopankki/doctoral-researcher/dissertation-requirements-and-public-examination/

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

📢 Again a new publication by a UEF Neuro-Innovation PhD researcher ✨
Congratulations Shekhar Singh and the team!🧬

📄 Read the paper here: https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.uef.fi:2443/doi/10.1111/cpr.70232

Interdisciplinary and intersectoral exposure of doctoral researchers has been a key aspect of theNeuro-Innovation MSCA COFUND PhD programme. What other things do the PhD researchers, their supervisors, programme coordinators and partners appreciate about the programme? Read in this 👇 article!
https://www.uef.fi/en/article/brain-health-researchers-equipped-for-an-innovation-journey




Itä-Suomen yliopisto - University of Eastern Finland (UEF)

❓ What comes after a PhD in Neuro-Innovation?
Since 2021, the Neuro-Innovation MSCA COFUND PhD Programme at the has hosted 14 doctoral researchers working on brainhealth throughout life.

The programme has combined neuroscience, innovation management, social sciences and law, as well as computer science and applied physics to prepare researchers for careers across academia, industry, the public sector, the third sector and entrepreneurship.

Where will these young talents end up? 🌍 Time will tell — but below you can already get a glimpse of both their research and their future aspirations! 👇

🎥 In this video, our doctoral researchers present their research, explain why it matters, and share what they hope to do after their PhD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V9mmEgVfcI&t=19s

📘 Prefer reading? The booklet Neuro-Innovation MSCA COFUND PhD Programme: Meet the Researchers is now available online: https://erepo.uef.fi/items/76cbdadd-bde6-472f-9f22-4b7518ac80e4

UEF Neuro-Innovation 3 likes. "Meet Our Neuro-Innovation PhD Researchers"

✨ New publication alert! ✨

Utilizing advanced 3D imaging and machine learning, Andrius Penkauskas from UEF Neuro-Inno PhD Programme and colleagues found that a new 3D brain marker, asphericity of the brain’s lateral ventricles, may help identify which patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) are likely to benefit from shunt surgery. This finding supports more accurate treatment decisions and helps avoiding ineffective surgery. 🧠

Read more:
in English: https://www.uef.fi/en/article/novel-3d-brain-marker-predicts-surgical-success-in-dementia-causing-hydrocephalus
in Finnish: https://www.uef.fi/fi/artikkeli/uusi-3d-aivomarkkeri-ennustaa-leikkaushoidon-onnistumista-inph-muistisairaudessa

The paper was recently published in Fluids and Barriers of the CNS:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12987-026-00788-4