Annual Report 2005 - New appointments

Professor Pasi Puttonen was appointed as a Research Director for a five-year fixed term starting August 1, 2005.

In his new position Professor Puttonen will focus on the ecologically sustainable use of forests. The Research Director is responsible for the management, control and development of the profit centres under his responsibility area and the external fund raising. Additionally, he participates in the planning, implementation and development of Metla’s strategy work, organization and operations.

Pasi Puttonen has worked as Professor of Forest Resource Management at the University of Helsinki since 1998. His previous work experience includes posts in the Academy of Finland and the Forest Research Department of the Forest Practices Board in British Columbia, Canada. He defended his dissertation and obtained his PhD in Agriculture and Forestry in 1986 at the University of Helsinki.

Leena Paavilainen, DTech, was also appointed as a Research Director for a five-year fixed term starting February 1, 2006.

In her new position Dr. Paavilainen will focus on the socio-economically sustainable use of forests. The Research Director is responsible for the management, control and development of the profit centres under her responsibility area and the external fund raising. Additionally, she participates in the planning, implementation and development of Metla’s strategy work, organization and operations.

Previously Leena Paavilainen has held managerial positions in wood product and paper industries, and as the manager of different research projects. She has also been in charge of several international development programmes and been widely involved in networking groups both at the national and international level. Dr. Paavilainen has strong expertise on industrial and business operations and on the social meaning of forests.

Jari Varjo, DScAgr&For, was appointed as the Director of Vantaa Research Unit starting January 1, 2006.

The Vantaa Research Unit is the biggest of Metla’s research units, with more than 350 employees. The Research Unit performs research related to biological, technical, social and economic sciences, as well as biotechnology and forest improvement.

Jari Varjo defended his doctoral thesis in 1997. Besides Metla, he has previously worked in the service of the University of Joensuu, the EU and the UN. At Metla his previous positions include Director of International Activities, Coordinator of customer-funded projects, and Manager of the Forest Resources Information Service. He has held the position of Director of the Vantaa Research Unit as a temporary post since the beginning of April 2005.

Liisa Tyrväinen, DScAgr&For, was appointed Professor of Nature Tourism starting August 1, 2005. Her post is located at the Rovaniemi Research Unit.

The professorship of Nature Tourism is funded jointly by Metla, the University of Lapland and Metsähallitus for a fixed-term (August 1, 2005 - February 29, 2008). The position involves, amongst other things, developing forest-based tourism and the economic effects of tourism at the regional level, ecologically sustainable tourism and development of conservation areas for use by tourism.

Liisa Tyrväinen defended her doctoral thesis in 1999. During the past years, she has worked as a researcher and a manager of several projects relating to nature tourism and landscape design both at the Universities of Joensuu and Helsinki.

Pertti Harstela, DScAgr&For, was appointed Professor of Forest Regeneration Technology starting September 1, 2005. His post is located at the Suonenjoki Research Unit.

The professorship of Forest Regeneration Technology is shared between Metla and the University of Joensuu. The position involves, amongst other things, forest regeneration and seedling management practices, planning, organizing and logistics of the forest regeneration chain, as well as the interaction and integration between forest regeneration and energy wood harvesting.

Pertti Harstela has held the post of Forest Regeneration Technology since 2000. His earlier work experience includes, for example, professorship of Forest Technology at the University of Joensuu.

Ph. D. Tuula Nieminen, PhD, was appointed as Professor of Forest Planning starting November 1, 2005. The post is located at the Joensuu Research Unit.

The professorship of Forest Planning is for a fixed term (November 1, 2005 - October 31, 2010). The research area focuses on models, methods and technologies relating to the planning of forest use, primarily in situations at stand level. The research tasks include compilation of planning data, development of planning systems and the IT applications suitable to support them.

Tuula Nuutinen defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Edinburgh in 1996. She has worked at the University of Joensuu as Associate Professor and at Metla as a researcher, senior researcher and, since 2003, as Acting Professor of Forest Planning.

			New appointments
ANNUAL REPORT 2005 Core Values, Vision, Mission Strategic objectives Metla Reviews Forest-based entrepreneurship and forest environment models and databanks Forest ecosystems and social significance of forests Doctoral theses Events and seminars New projects Publications Resources New appointments Organization			Professor Pasi Puttonen was appointed as a Research Director for a five-year fixed term starting August 1, 2005. In his new position Professor Puttonen will focus on the ecologically sustainable use of forests. The Research Director is responsible for the management, control and development of the profit centres under his responsibility area and the external fund raising. Additionally, he participates in the planning, implementation and development of Metla’s strategy work, organization and operations. Pasi Puttonen has worked as Professor of Forest Resource Management at the University of Helsinki since 1998. His previous work experience includes posts in the Academy of Finland and the Forest Research Department of the Forest Practices Board in British Columbia, Canada. He defended his dissertation and obtained his PhD in Agriculture and Forestry in 1986 at the University of Helsinki. Leena Paavilainen, DTech, was also appointed as a Research Director for a five-year fixed term starting February 1, 2006. In her new position Dr. Paavilainen will focus on the socio-economically sustainable use of forests. The Research Director is responsible for the management, control and development of the profit centres under her responsibility area and the external fund raising. Additionally, she participates in the planning, implementation and development of Metla’s strategy work, organization and operations. Previously Leena Paavilainen has held managerial positions in wood product and paper industries, and as the manager of different research projects. She has also been in charge of several international development programmes and been widely involved in networking groups both at the national and international level. Dr. Paavilainen has strong expertise on industrial and business operations and on the social meaning of forests. Jari Varjo, DScAgr&For, was appointed as the Director of Vantaa Research Unit starting January 1, 2006. The Vantaa Research Unit is the biggest of Metla’s research units, with more than 350 employees. The Research Unit performs research related to biological, technical, social and economic sciences, as well as biotechnology and forest improvement. Jari Varjo defended his doctoral thesis in 1997. Besides Metla, he has previously worked in the service of the University of Joensuu, the EU and the UN. At Metla his previous positions include Director of International Activities, Coordinator of customer-funded projects, and Manager of the Forest Resources Information Service. He has held the position of Director of the Vantaa Research Unit as a temporary post since the beginning of April 2005. Liisa Tyrväinen, DScAgr&For, was appointed Professor of Nature Tourism starting August 1, 2005. Her post is located at the Rovaniemi Research Unit. The professorship of Nature Tourism is funded jointly by Metla, the University of Lapland and Metsähallitus for a fixed-term (August 1, 2005 - February 29, 2008). The position involves, amongst other things, developing forest-based tourism and the economic effects of tourism at the regional level, ecologically sustainable tourism and development of conservation areas for use by tourism. Liisa Tyrväinen defended her doctoral thesis in 1999. During the past years, she has worked as a researcher and a manager of several projects relating to nature tourism and landscape design both at the Universities of Joensuu and Helsinki. Pertti Harstela, DScAgr&For, was appointed Professor of Forest Regeneration Technology starting September 1, 2005. His post is located at the Suonenjoki Research Unit. The professorship of Forest Regeneration Technology is shared between Metla and the University of Joensuu. The position involves, amongst other things, forest regeneration and seedling management practices, planning, organizing and logistics of the forest regeneration chain, as well as the interaction and integration between forest regeneration and energy wood harvesting. Pertti Harstela has held the post of Forest Regeneration Technology since 2000. His earlier work experience includes, for example, professorship of Forest Technology at the University of Joensuu. Ph. D. Tuula Nieminen, PhD, was appointed as Professor of Forest Planning starting November 1, 2005. The post is located at the Joensuu Research Unit. The professorship of Forest Planning is for a fixed term (November 1, 2005 - October 31, 2010). The research area focuses on models, methods and technologies relating to the planning of forest use, primarily in situations at stand level. The research tasks include compilation of planning data, development of planning systems and the IT applications suitable to support them. Tuula Nuutinen defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Edinburgh in 1996. She has worked at the University of Joensuu as Associate Professor and at Metla as a researcher, senior researcher and, since 2003, as Acting Professor of Forest Planning.

Updated:	02.10.2006 / SKon	Metla : Annual Report : Annual Report 2005