Our team
Current team
Emma Haapaniemi
Group leader
Emma is the founder of the group and her main project is to keep the lab funded. She has previously worked in genetics, high-throughput biology, different paediatrics departments and emergency rooms across Southern Finland.
For her education she went to the University of Eastern Finland (MD), University of Helsinki (PhD) and Karolinska Institute (Postdoc).
Her favourite pastimes include riding and petting horses (although she rarely does it nowadays).
Monika Szymańska
Lab Manager
Monika’s role is to keep the lab organised. She has previously worked in molecular biology and immunology at the Department of Pathology at Oslo University Hospital.
She has a master’s degree in molecular biology from the University of Gdansk, Poland, and a PhD in cell biology from the University of Oslo, Norway. She has held Postdoc and researcher positions at Oslo University Hospital.
On her free time Monika likes knitting, listening to audiobooks (fantasy and crime stories) and walking her dog, Watson.
Zhuokun Li
PhD Student
Zhuokun works mainly in screening and studying the CRISPR system in cell lines.
She has worked previously in gene therapy, sequencing and finding new CRISPR systems at Beijing Genomics Institute.
She studied at Hainan University (Bachelor) and Tsinghua University (Masters). Zhuokun enjoys reading and painting on her free time.
Oda Almåsbak
MsC Student
Oda’s main role is optimising a custom CRISPR platform in RPE1 cells and testing a custom platform in PBMCs for her master project.
She has previously worked in BioNtech IMFS GmbH as a scientific trainee to characterise packaging cell lines for stable production of lentiviral vectors.
Oda is doing her masters in Bioscience (University of Oslo), and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (University of Oslo).
She enjoys hiking, dancing, meeting friends and watching TV series.
Katariina Mamia
PhD Student
Katariina’s main project involves evaluating the safety and efficacy of different CRISPR systems in patient peripheral immune cells.
She has previously worked in inflammasome biology at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Science.
Katariina has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science (Karolinska Institutet). When she’s not at work, she is either hiking, travelling or daydreaming.
Pavel Kopčil
PhD Student
Pavel optimises and evaluates different CRISPR-based tools for precise gene correction in hematopoietic stem cells, establishing in vivo platform, methodologies, and techniques for future transplantation of gene edited cells into the immunodeficient mice strains.
He has previously worked in human epigenetic lab (miRNA, DNA methylation, CRISPR/dCas9, NGS) at Charles University, Medical Faculty (Czech Republic).
Pavel has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics (Brno, Masaryk University, Czech Republic), ERASMUS+ Internship (Aarhus University, Denmark).
His favourite pastims are playing the cello, reading (fantasy, sci-fi, magical realism), travelling, cooking/baking/brewing beer, history (Vikings!), visiting and enjoying cafes with specialty coffee.
Jacob Conradi
Research Assistant
Jacob’s main project is the utilisation of novel factors for improving precise editing outcomes in hematopoietic stem cells for future applications in animal and clinical studies. He also assists in ongoing animal experiments.
Jacob has completed his BSc in Biology at the University of Bergen. He is currently working on his MSc in Bioscience, specialising in Molecular Biology at the University of Oslo.
Outside of work, Jacob enjoys biking, skiing and making pizza. He also has a passion for mechanical watches!
Britt Olaug Lindestad
Lab Technician
Britt’s work involves lab technician duties as well as working with biobanking of PBMCs, helping with T-cell editing, and the collection of stem cells from cord blood at Rikshospitalet.
Britt has previously worked as a principal engineer in a laboratory at the department of gastromedicine at Rikshospitalet.
She has an Integrated Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with a specialisation in Biotechnology, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Britt’s favourite pastimes are travelling, hiking, reading and hanging out with friends.
Anna Komisarczuk
Senior scientist
Anna’s main project at Haapaniemi Lab involves optimizing and evaluating the prime editing system (pegRNA) in cell lines.
She has previously worked in molecular biology, genomics and medical genetics at the University of Bergen, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital.
Anna has a Master’s degree in biotechnology from the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland, and a PhD in gene regulation from the University of Bergen, Norway. She has also held a Postdoc position at Sydney University, Australia, and researcher
positions at the University of Bergen and Oslo University Hospital.
When Anna is not working, her favourite pastimes include bonsai making, scuba diving and reading.
Oline Eriksen Rio
PhD student
Oline’s main project involves large-scale CRISPR guide screening for gene editing of primary immunodeficiency disorders with different patient-specific mutations.
She has previously worked in cancer genomics and diagnostics at Haukeland University Hospital.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Genetics from Trinity College Dublin and a Master’s degree in Biomedicine from the University of Bergen.
Her favourite pastimes include knitting, watching TV, going to quizzes and spending time with friends.
Shiva Dahal-Koirala
Senior scientist
At Haapaniemi Lab, Shiva works with the CRISPR gene editing platform for STAT1 GOF disease.
Her previous work experience includes working as Postdoc and Researcher at the Department of Immunology, University of
Oslo, where she investigated T cell immunology in celiac disease.
Shiva has a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Kathmandu University, Nepal, a Master’s degree in Molecular Biosciences from the University of Oslo, and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Oslo.
Outside of work, Shiva enjoys crocheting, cooking and hiking.
Sigrid Fu Skjelbostad
Master student
Sigrid’s work involves improving precise CRISPR editing by local chromatin modulation.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology (OsloMet), and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology (NMBU).
Sigrid’s favourite pastimes include running, cross country skiing, climbing, knitting, reading novels and dining with friends.
Tuva Sundell
Master student
Tuva’s main project at our lab involves studying and optimizing the precision of CRISPR-based editing of the ADA2
gene in immune cells.
She is also currently a teaching assistant in Cell Biology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).
Tuva is doing a MSc in Biotechnology, specializing in Genetics (NMBU). She has completed a BSc in Biology (UiA).
Outside of work, Tuva enjoys playing volleyball, gaming, cooking and travelling.
Henriette N. Myrland
Master student
Henriette’s main project is using CRISPR to generate a rat sleep-deprivation model. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from NMBU in Ås, and is currently taking her Master’s Degree in Biotechnology with a specialisation in Molecular Biology.
On her free time, Henriette enjoys working out, reading fantasy and playing video games.
Ruchi Saigal
Master student
Ruchi’s main project is a REM sleep deprivation model using CRISPR. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology from UiO, Master’s Degree in Biomedicine at Oslomet with a Masters project affiliation at UiO/NCMM.
Her favourite pastimes include hiking, martial arts, reading and cooking with friends.
Carolina Wieczorek Ervik
PhD student
Carolina focuses on clinical translation of optimised CRISPR editing protocols for primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs).
She has previously worked as a Research Assistant at the institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Gothenburg University, and as a GMP Cell Production Associate at Takara Bio Europe in Gothenburg, Sweden.
She has a Bachelor/Master degrees in Medical Biology from Linköping University, and has held internship and scholarship positions at Gothenburg University at the institute of Neuroscience and Physiology.
In her spare time, Carolina enjoys gaming and hanging out with her Doberman, Scooby, and her three cats.
Thapelo Mathabela
Master Student
Thapelo previously assisted PhD students in screening and validating CRISPR cell lines. Today he is working on his master thesis on EpegRNA screening platform for primary immunodeficiency mutations. Some of his main tasks include experiments with HEK293T and Fibroblast cell cultures and operating the Biomek I7 high-throughput liquid handling system.
While working at our lab, Thapelo is doing MSc studies in Biotechnology at NTNU (Norway). He has previously worked as a Research Technician responsible for the Zebrafish facility at Camila Esguerra’s group (NCMM).
He studied at the University of the Free State (B.Sc), and the University of Stellenbosch (Honours).
Thapelo enjoys skiing, hiking, playing tennis and gaming on his free time.
Marion Hallapera
Web Designer
Marion is a Web Designer at her freelance business, Enchanted Forest Design, and manages the hosting, maintenance, design and content support for the Haapaniemi Lab website.
In her free time Marion enjoys creative writing, video games (especially World of Warcraft), playing with her two cats, rock collecting and daily walks.
Alumni
Inkeri Soppa
MSc Student
Inkeri’s main project at the lab involved writing her master thesis while keeping edited primary T cells alive and happy. From time to time she optimised editing in reporter cell lines.
She had previously worked in plant genetics at the University of Umeå. She also taught advanced-level mathematics and chemistry in high school, and did strawberry picking.
Inkeri studied at the University of Helsinki (BSc).
Her favourite pastime is reading. Science fiction and fantasy novels, biographies, detective stores – you name it, she’s read it!
Inkeri is currently working at Kirmo Wartiovaara lab (Finland) researching base editing and
hemophilia A at the University of Helsinki. She’s also starting her third year in medical school next fall at the University of Oulu.
Kathrin Menzner
Erasmus Student
Kathrin helped Zhuokun with screening and studying the CRISPR system in cell lines.
She had previously worked in immunotherapy and molecular neurobiology at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.
While working at Haapaniemi Lab, she was doing an apprenticeship as a biological lab assistant (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg).
Kathrin’s favourite pastimes include meeting with friends and travelling.
In July 2020 Kathrin graduated from her apprenticeship as a biological lab assistant. Afterwards, she worked as a biological lab assistant at the German cancer research center in the Molecular neurobiology lab led by Prof. Dr. Ana Martin-Villalba.
Since April 2022 Kathrin started studying dentistry at the Eberhard-Karls-University in Tübingen, Germany.
Bas Koppenaal
Research intern
While at Haapaniemi Lab, Bas helped Zhuokun with screening and studying the CRISPR system in cell lines.
While working at the lab, Bas had an apprenticeship as a life scientist, a biology and medical laboratory researcher.
Carola Pont Vallès
Erasmus Student
Carola worked on identifying off-target effects of the CRISPR-Cas9 system while working on her Final Degree Project. She also supported other PhD students with their projects, learning new techniques.
While working at Haapaniemi Lab she was doing her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of Barcelona (UB).
Carola’s favourite pastimes included horseback riding, scuba diving, meeting with friends and travelling.
Since September 2020 she has been involved in her family’s business (dairy industry brand in Spain), working in the R&D department as product manager and developer, creating plant-based alternatives for their customers.
Lisa Lutz
Erasmus Student
Lisa’s main project focused on identifying off-target effects of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. In addition, she helped Monika set up Cas9WT protein production in order to produce our own Cas9WT.
She had previously worked in Bioresources at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Plant protection at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU).
Lisa studied Biotechnology (MSc) at the Austrian Biotech University of Applied Sciences.
Her favourite pastime includes reading, handicraft work, Photoshopping pictures and cooking.
Lisa is currently working at Mattanovich Lab (BOKU, Austria) on a project where she uses a
proprietary organo-autotrophic yeast (a synthetic Pichia pastoris strain) and engineers it to become a producer for organic molecules that serve as monomers for plastic production.
Ganna Reint
PhD Student
Ganna’s main project was to validate CRISPR screening results, with the goal of making the system more efficient and accurate.
She had previously worked in kidney development and organoids (University of Oulu) and in the Traumatology department in a regional hospital (Ukraine).
Ganna studied at Kharkov National Medical University (MD). Her favourite pastimes are yoga and science fiction books. She also enjoys travelling.
After completing her PhD thesis, Ganna moved to a postdoc position at Broad Institute, John
Doench lab.
Frida Høsøien Haugen
MSc Student
Frida was doing a master project in studying and optimising the precision of CRISPR-based editing tools in immune cells.
She previously worked at Norwegian Research Establishment (FFI) and Borregaard. She was also a laboratory teaching assistant in general and organic chemistry at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). She also worked as an instructor at Vitenparken Campus, creating and teaching scientific courses to young adults about biotechnology, including gene editing and CRISPR technology.
While working at the lab, Frida was doing MSc studies in Biotechnology, specialising in molecular biology (NMBU). She had completed her BSc in Biotechnology and in Chemistry (NMBU).
Frida enjoys cooking, hiking, listening to podcasts and drinking wine with her friends.
After completing her MSc thesis, Frida moved to a scientist position at Zelluna
Immunotherapy.
Nail
Fatkhutdinov
Post doc
Nail’s work focused on developing CRISPR gene editing platform for STAT1 GOF disease.
Nail graduated from Kazan Federal University, did his PhD work at the Wistar Institute in the USA, studying
cancer biology.
Currently, Nail is working at Adaptimmune in the UK developing allogeneic cancer cell therapies.
He likes photography, cycling and salmon.