Opening event of the Postdoc Program iCANPOD: Inspiring talks, research highlights, and networking
The new iCANPOD postdoctoral program in Precision Cancer Medicine at the University of Helsinki was officially launched with an opening event on 26.11.2025 in Biomedicum, Helsinki. ICANPOD offers career development and networking opportunities for postdocs and senior scientists as well as clinicians in similar positions affiliated with the University of Helsinki iCANDOC pilot or the iCAN flagship.
The event started with opening words from iCANDOC director Mariike Kuijjer and warm thanks from iCANDOC staff to Professor Tomi Mäkelä whose role was pivotal in applying for and launching the national iCANDOC doctoral education pilot and the adjacent iCANPOD program.
The event featured an excellent keynote talk “Pathology in the Era of Precision Medicine” by Prof. Johan Hartman from Karolinska Institutet. His talk left the audience excited about the promise of AI-tools in modern precision medicine. Attendees also learned more about the Postdoc Program in the presentation by the iCANPOD program lead and iCANDOC Scientific Coordinator Piia-Riitta Karhemo.
Postdoctoral researchers Ehsan Zangene, Anna Laury, Dicle Malaymar Pinas, and Laura Hakanpää presented their latest work through engaging talks, followed by a lively poster session that fostered in-depth discussions and networking among participants. The day concluded with a dinner, celebrating the start of the new program.
The opening event was planned and organised by a group of iCANPODs together with the iCANDOC team. The event showcased the warm collaborative spirit, energy, creativity, and dedication of the program’s postdocs and highlighted the exciting research and collaborations that lie ahead.
See the full program of the event.
Organising team: Piia-Riitta Karhemo, Mila Hyytinen, Marketta Liljeström, Otto Mäkelä, Elena Kremneva, Fatemeh Seyednasrollah, Dicle Malaymar Pinar, Anna Laury, Ehsan Zangene, Milos Gojkovic, Sara Kuusela, Surachet Imlimthan, and Natalie Fernandes
Photos: Marketta Liljeström