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Tapani Vuorinen was only 22 years old when he was appointed a full-time teaching assistant at the Helsinki University of Technology in 1980. Sometimes, at the end of a lecture, he would approach his professor, Eero Sjöström, and inform him of the mistakes in his textbook. Sjöström never took offense. 

Now, towards the end of his academic career, Vuorinen has a deeper appreciation of his professor's attitude. “Passion is needed in science. But so is humility,” he says. “I was keen to question, and this eagerness for knowledge was always supported.” 

Feeling respected, regardless of his young age, was a source of self-confidence. Now as a professor himself, he enjoys it when young students question his approach. “It's a sign that we meet on the same level of understanding.” 

“You can, and you will, make mistakes and you need to accept it”

In his dissertation, Vuorinen had been able to show that a fundamental publication in the field was based on completely wrong interpretations of the data. In an act of admirable humility, the author of the paper acted as an opponent at the public examination of Vuorinen’s work.

“I greatly admire that the author of that very same paper agreed to oppose me in the public defense. This still touches me to this day,” Vuorinen says. “You can, and you will, make mistakes and you need to accept it.”

Vuorinen's diligent approach to research subsequently led to several appointments at the Helsinki University of Technology and a postdoctoral research position at the University of Notre Dame in the United States. 

In the early 2000s, Vuorinen was involved in the reform of master's programmes in wood processing technology. They changed the language of instruction from Finnish to English and started recruiting faculty and students internationally.

“I remember realising one day that we had the world's leading specialists in the same building in Otaniemi. The level of our research soared and the presence of diverse, independent thinkers livened up the general atmosphere,” Vuorinen says.

Breaking down silos leads to deeper insights

Soon after Aalto University was founded in 2010, Vuorinen began his collaboration with Pirjo Kääriäinen, Professor of Design and Materialities. It’s a meeting of minds and disciplines that continues to inspire and energise Vuorinen to this day. Their work led to the creation of the current – an innovative joint programme between Chemical Engineering and Arts and Design.

“One instrument and one approach will produce one particular picture. A different instrument and approach will produce a totally different picture. A fuller and more satisfactory understanding is achieved by looking at something from many different angles,” Vuorinen says.

Again, humility is crucial in scientific research. A researcher must remember that their own studies are only a small part of the whole. “And nature, in its rich complexity, is infinitely more intelligent than any one person,” he adds.

Ongoing demand for enquiring minds

Vuorinen, having been a faculty member for 45 years, remains enthusiastic about new developments in the world of forest products technology.

He is most excited about a new approach to chemical nanoimaging that could change our understanding of how water is transported in trees. The approach could lead to more sustainable ways of converting biomass into the materials and chemicals we need.

There is still a huge demand for enquiring new minds and innovations. It is clear that we need to stop polluting the world with plastics, protect biodiversity and change our attitudes towards consumption in general, he says.

“The question is, how can we contribute to solving these problems through our work? Approaches between disciplines are complementary. And we should collaborate to have a greater impact,” he concludes.

- The title of Aalto Distinguished Professor is granted to a professor whose merits are exceptionally significant -