NOVACAN Cancer Seminar Series

Welcome to the NOVACAN Cancer Seminar Series, a platform where leading cancer researchers share cutting‑edge insights, new discoveries, and emerging perspectives in cancer biology, diagnostics, and treatment. This seminar series offers an inspiring look into current developments in the field and provides a valuable opportunity to connect with researchers, students, and clinical experts alike.

NOVACAN Cancer Seminar Series brings together researchers and students working  in cancer research. The series highlights new discoveries, emerging perspectives, and current developments in cancer biology, diagnostics, and treatment, while offering participants a valuable opportunity to connect with researchers, students, and clinical professionals. Seminars fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology.

The seminars will be held once a month. Seminars organized in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä and NOVACAN. The seminars are aimed at students, postdoctoral researchers, staff members, and anyone interested in!

The seminars take place on the last or second-to-last Thursday of each month from 12:00 to 13:00 in Sairaala NOVA, Jyväskylä. Participation is also possible via Teams. For a calendar invitation and Teams link, please email tiina.a.jokela@jyu.fi.

Aims of the NOVACAN Cancer Seminar

  1. Highlight cancer research approaches and tools used in research.
  2. Showcase ongoing research projects from different groups and departments.
  3. Promote cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration.
  4. Provide practice in presenting cancer results to a broad scientific audience.
  5. Stimulate discussion on challenges, innovations, and best practices
  6. Encourage knowledge exchange between theoreticians, modelers, and experimentalists.

Who Can Attend and Present

All cancer researchers, doctoral researchers, and students in Central Finland interested in cancer research is warmly welcome to participate! Supervisors and PIs are warmly invited to attend and support the sessions. 

Participation can be used for BENS9111 – Research Seminar course credits.

If you would like to give a seminar, please contact us so we can schedule your presentation for the second semester. 

Current chairperson: Tiina Jokela

Welcome to learn, discuss, and network!

Timetable & speakers

If you cannot attend on the date of your talk, inform the chairperson accordingly. 

Spring 2026 Schedule

  • 29 Jan 2026: Tiina Jokela, Research Director (University of Jyväskylä & Central Finland Biobank)
    Lifestyle, molecular mechanisms and cancer risk in Lynch syndrome
  • 19 Feb 2026: Arto Mannermaa, Professor (University of Eastern Finland)
    Towards Personalized Cancer Medicine
  • 26 Mar 2026: Jouni Härkönen, Hospital Cell Biology Specialist (trainee) & Doctoral Researcher (Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland)
    Title: Clinical significance of NRF2 signaling pathway in lung cancer
  • 23 Apr 2026: Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen, Senior University Lecturer, PhD (University of Eastern Finland)
    Macrophage-driven inflammation in cancer
  • 28 May 2026: Juha Väyrynen, Professor (University of Oulu)
    Morphology meets molecular profiling in colorectal cancer

Past seminars

See also