Katja Pahkala profile picture
Katja
Pahkala
Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC)
Professor, Head of Paavo Nurmi Centre

Contact

+358 40 578 6122
Kiinamyllynkatu 10
20520
Turku

Areas of expertise

Cardiovascular health
prevention
childhood
physical activity
diet
epidemiology
longitudinal studies

Biography

I have devoted my research career to examining early life determinants of cardiometabolic health with the ultimate aim to improve primordial prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.

Teaching

I have supervised 15 undergraduate studies and six doctoral studies. Currently I supervise six doctoral students and one undergraduate student.

Research

I am a long-standing senior researcher and the vice director of the Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine (CAPC), and a member of the executive committee of the Centre for Population Health Research. I am also the vice principal investigator of the globally unique atherosclerosis prevention trial, the STRIP study (Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project), which commenced in 1989 and has extensively studied the 1062 participants since age 7 months to 26 years with repeated assessment of diet, lifestyle and versatile cardiometabolic health markers. I am also an active member of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, started in the late 1970´s. The study involves originally 3596 participants from different parts of Finland. As highlights of my career, in 2014 I received the Academy of Finland’s Postdoctoral Researcher grant, and in 2019 I was invited to receive A/Professorship in Preventive Medicine (tenure track), and I was also awarded the Academy of Finland’s Research Fellowship. In 2023, I achieved full-Professorship in Preventive Medicine. In 2024, I began as a Head of the Paavo Nurmi Centre, a centre of expertise in sports & exercise medicine.

Publications

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The Associations of Childhood Psychosocial Factors With Cognitive Function in Midlife-The Young Finns Study (2022)

Neuropsychology
Nurmi Amanda, Pulkki-Råback Laura, Salo Pia, Pahkala Katja, Juonala Markus, Hutri-Kähönen Nina, Kähönen Mika, Lehtimäki Terho, Jokinen Eero, Keltikangas-Järvinen Liisa, Laitinen Tomi P., Tossavainen Päivi, Taittonen Leena, Viikari Jorma S. A., Raitakari Olli T., Rovio Suvi P.
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))

Validity of fatty liver disease indices in the presence of alcohol consumption (2022)

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
Danielsson Oscar, Nano Jana, Pahkala Katja, Rospleszcz Susanne, Lehtimäki Terho, Schlett Christopher L., Kähönen Mika, Bamberg Fabian, Raitakari Olli, Peters Annette, Nissinen Markku J., Åberg Fredrik O.
(Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tai data-artikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä (A1))