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Professor Kari Laasonen is an expert in physical chemistry, especially computational chemistry. He has worked in top international research groups and played a key role in developing the computational methods that enabled the behaviour of aqueous solutions to be modelled for the first time with the accuracy of single electrons. His research has linked the modelling of aqueous solutions to electrochemistry, an important area of research in areas such as the hydrogen economy and the green transition.

Laasonen has supervised more than 40 master theses and about 30 post- doctoral researchers, served as an opponent in 15 doctoral dissertations and as a pre-examiner in about 60 doctoral theses. He regularly participates in peer review of scientific publications and has held a number of academic and administrative positions of trust at Aalto University. He is also a member of the Finnish Academy of Sciences.

Laasonen is happy to share his knowledge with younger researchers and collaborates with both Aalto University and international research groups.

SVR R I (Order of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, First Class).

Professor Markus Linder is an internationally renowned researcher who is conducting pioneering research into the development of biomaterials using synthetic biology and directed evolution methods. In 2020, he received a major grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation in recognition of his high-quality research.

Linder leads the Research Council of Finland's Center of Excellence in Life Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), which aims to develop new materials inspired by biological functions. He has been a member of the Novo Nordisk Foundation's Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology Committee since 2021 and a member of the Finnish Academy of Sciences since 2020.

He has supervised 13 PhD theses, co-directed 3 and supervised nearly 30 Master theses. In addition, he has contributed significantly to the development of the Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering, for example as Head and Vice Head of the Department of Bioproducts and Biotechnology. 

Linder has done particularly significant reform work as director of the doctoral programme, developing guidance and decision-making processes in an open-minded way. His reforms are now benefiting Aalto University as a whole and serving as a model for other doctoral programmes. His informed and considered views are widely respected in the working community.

Distinguished Service Medal: SVR R I (Order of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, First Class)

Pirjo Muukkonen, Financial Manager, was the Financial Secretary of the Cold Laboratory led by Professor Mikko Paalanen at the Helsinki University of Technology, where she was responsible for the financial management of the projects and was involved in HR matters as well as in the procurement of research equipment. With the establishment of Aalto University in 2010, she moved to the School of Chemical Engineering as Finance Manager. In this role, he has been building a new clear financial services entity. It is noteworthy that the School's external finance project portfolio is the largest of all Aalto University schools in relation to the number of professors, and Pirjo Muukkonen has successfully and resource-efficiently organised financial management services for academic staff. She has been a trusted finance professional for a quarter of a century of her university career and has played a major role in the introduction of new, centralised practices in recent years. Aalto University's financial system is be renewed this year, and he has been actively involved in this preparatory work as the responsible leader of a sub-project.

In the work community, Pirjo is known for her accuracy, conscientiousness and attentiveness towards her team and colleagues.

Distinguished Service Medal: SL R (Order of the Lion of Finland)