People
Dr Joni Kemppainen | Business owner
- Formal education in physics (BSc) and sensory neuroscience (PhD)
- Experience working in the academia as a postgraduate researcher
- Experience in programming, 3D CAD modelling and more
Joni earned his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Oulu, Finland, with a speciliasation in biophysics, which applies physics and engineering principles to understand biological systems. The Oulu biophysics group, lead by Professor Matti Weckström, investigated the nervous system of insects (cockroaches, bumblebees, beetles, ...) using techniques such as patch-clamping, intracellular sharp-electrode recordings and behavioural assays. Joni was particularly struck by the do-it-yourself approach developing the research equipment and software needed to study the intricate workings of insect brains.
After completing a six-month ERASMUS exchange at the Univeristy of Tuebingen, Germany, Joni moved to Sheffield, UK, to join the neuroscience lab of Professor Mikko Juusola. The Juusola Lab focuses on understanding the nervous systems of insects, particularly Drosophila, using advanced techniques such as intracellular sharp-electrode recordings, behavioural assays, and 2-photon calcium imaging.
In Sheffield, Joni's initial project was to study information processing and hyperacuity in honeybee photoreceptors. This work contributed to the Brains on Board project, which aimed to reverse-engineer parts of the honeybee brain to develop autonomously flying drones. Joni also prototyped a high-speed imaging system to capture recently discovered local retinal micro-movements, known as photoreceptor microsaccades, in the insect compound eyes. This research led to two first-author and first-co-author publications in prestigious journals.
After earning his doctoral degree in sensory neuroscience in mid-2022, Joni founded his consulting business, DEV Joni in January 2023. He continues to run its daily operations and drive its vision forward.
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