Prizes and awards

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a Pioneer Innovator Grant to Prof. Arri Priimägi for the groundbreaking project titled “GeL-Cell: Evaluation and validation of a light-responsive hydrogel for commercializing a novel biomechanical assay” . About the Novo Nordisk Foundation The Novo Nordisk Foundation is one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Europe, supporting scientific, humanitarian, and social causes. Its Pioneer Innovator Grant program is designed to c

Dr. Hongshuang Guo , a valued member of our Smart Photonic Materials (SPM) group, has been awarded a prestigious four-year Academy Research Fellowship  by the Research Council of Finland. His project will be impremented at Tampere University from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2029 . Hongshuang’s project, STAR  ( Smart Biomedical PlaTforms Using Advanced Stimuli-Responsive Materials ), will explore the development of intelligent biomedical platforms using stimuli-responsiv

Roshan with the best poster award at LIBER Sympoisum 2025 21 people from SPM participated in the annual LIBER Symposium 15-16.05.2025...

Professor Arri Priimägi, has been named Finland’s Ambassador for the European Research Council (ERC)! Out of over 200 applicants, Arri is...

Matias in the laboratory Matias has been awarded a personal 1-year grant from the KAUTE Foundation  for his PhD studies on light-sensitive hydrogels. His project, “Development of Light-Sensitive Hydrogels for Photonics and Biomedical Applications,”  explores smart materials that respond to light, with potential uses in drug delivery and optical devices. SPM congratulates Matias on the achievement!

Mari Isomäki  received a €28,500 doctoral grant  from the Instrumentarium Science Foundation! 🎉 Her research focuses on developing a light-controlled hydrogel platform  for cell manipulation—an exciting innovation that could open new doors in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Mari is one of six Tampere University researchers awarded this year, with the university receiving a total of €353,500  in funding. Amazing work and well-deserved recognition!