INVEST Visitor: Laura Joensuu

In the “INVEST visitors” series, we present visiting professors and fellows who have arrived at the flagship INVEST. This time we are Postdoctoral Researcher Laura Joensuu.

My name is Laura Joensuu, and I work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

I hold a PhD in Health Sciences, and my research focuses on the relationships between lifestyles, health, and wellbeing across different life stages and demographics. I am particularly interested in physical activity, and national policies and interventions aimed at improving public health and wellbeing.

Recently, I have focused on causal inference and factors that influence adherence to a physically active lifestyle. In my studies, I have utilized various study designs and methods in the triangulation of evidence, including genetically informed settings.

Why do you want to visit INVEST?

I am eager to visit INVEST Flagship to collaborate with leading experts in the field of social and health sciences. INVEST’s interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge research on wellbeing and health align perfectly with my research interests.

I hope to learn more about the social aspects of health, health inequalities, and the effects of implemented policies. I aim to gain new research ideas and connect with researchers from various disciplines.

What do you expect/hope to reach during your visit to INVEST?

During my stay at INVEST, I will be working with Prof. Mikko Niemelä. I hope this collaboration will provide mutually valuable insights and further the understanding of health inequalities, facilitators and barriers to health-enhancing lifestyles, and policies and interventions that effectively and equitably improve public health and wellbeing.