Expertise

Welcome to the Expertise page of the VME Interaction Design Environment!Woman wearing VR headset

The VME is an IXD environment for all; start ups, industry partners, students and researchers alike.

Our operations are based on a multidisciplinary network of experts in various universities and schools. The core team of experts is responsible for leading the teaching, research and project work in the laboratory. To get contact details for the specialists, please click on their profile picture.

 

Abol Basher Profile Photo (1)

Abol Basher

Abol is attending his doctoral program in the Department of Computer Science and is working as a Project Researcher with the Digital Economy Research Platform at the University of Vaasa. His research interests include 3D reconstruction, visual image-based localization, medical image processing, computer vision, and deep learning.

 

Jani Boutellier Profile Photo

Jani Boutellier

Jani is an Associate Professor in Computer Science in the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. Jani’s research interests are in computer vision, machine learning, heterogeneous computing, and models of computation.

 

Laura Havinen Profile Photo

Laura Havinen

Laura is a University Teacher in Information Systems at the School of Technology and Innovations. She is responsible for the course ‘Introduction to Human Computer Interaction’ and supervises master’s theses related to human computer interaction.

 

Suvi Isohella Profile Photo

Suvi Isohella

Suvi is a University Teacher in Communication Studies in the School of Marketing and Communication Studies at the University of Vaasa. Suvi has expertise in user-centred technical communication, technical communication curriculum development, accessibility of textual web content and minimalist document design. Suvi teachers courses in technical communication, usability, accessibility, visualization and methodology. She is involved in multilateral teaching projects with a focus on usability testing.

 

Minna Maarit Profile Photo

Minna-Maarit Jaskari

Minna-Maarit is a University Lecturer in Marketing at the School of Marketing and Communication at the University of Vaasa. Minna-Maarit has expertise in consumer research, service design, Lego serious play, and gamification.

 

Oskar Kenttälä Profile Photo

Oskar Kenttälä

Oskar is a UX Designer at Visma Enterprise and is mainly working on the School Information System Wilma. Oskar specializes in prototyping, UX analysis and practical UX solutions in electrical tools

 

Merja Koskela Profile Photo

Merja Koskela

Merja is a Professor in Communication Studies at the School of Marketing and Communication at the University of Vaasa. Merja’s areas of expertise are related to text analysis, discourse analysis and professional discourse. Her specific research interests are expert communication, organizational communication, financial discourse, and popularization of science and technology.

 

Heidi Kuusniemi Profile Photo

Heidi Kuusniemi

Heidi is the Director of the Digital Economy research platform and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vaasa. Heidi is specialized in positioning technologies and systems with special interest towards self-contained sensors, indoor positioning, smart mobility, IoT, and the role of space-based data and localization in the digital economy.

 

Sebastian Laitila Profile Photo

Sebastian Laitila

Sebastian is a University teacher in Digital communication at the University of Vaasa. Sebastian is specialized in software and game development in XR environments, game research, content creation, and service design. His research interests are in engagement and usability in interactive systems, and games as an art form.

 

Jussi Loukiainen Profile Photo

Jussi Loukiainen

Jussi is the CEO of Platonic Partnership, a Vaasa-heaquartered and award-winning game studio that provides expertise in gamification, applied games, and digital solutions to their partners. Jussi is one of the four founders of Platonic Partnership, a true enthusiast and pioneer in the Ostrobothnia game scene, and has helped numerous start-ups in the West Coast Start Up incubator to succeed with emerging business ideas.

 

Liisa Mäkelä Profile Photo

Liisa Mäkelä

Liisa is a Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Vaasa and is leading the HRM research group. Her expertise area is wellbeing in a modern working life with a special interest towards remote and virtual work, international mobility and the management of work wellbeing.

 

Juho-Pekka Mäkipää Profile Photo

Juho-Pekka Mäkipää

Juho-Pekka is a University Teacher in Information Systems at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. His research interests and areas of expertise are web accessibility, usability, user experience, and user participation (citizen science)

Olli Raatikainen Profile Photo

Olli Raatikainen

Olli is the project manager/product owner responsible for wireless communication systems at ABB. Olli’s area of expertise are managing agile software development according to SCRUM principles, and desktop application eye tracking including the original VME laboratory testing setup design.

 

Satu Profile Photo

Satu Rantakokko

Satu is a PhD Student in Communication Studies at the School of Marketing and Communication at the University of Vaasa. Satu’s research interests relate to extended reality (mixed reality and virtual reality), and extended reality as a medium for technical instructions and affordances of technical instructions.

 

Rebekah Rousi Profile Photo

Rebekah Rousi

Rebekah is an Associate Professor in Communication Studies. Rousi takes an embodied semiotic approach to examining human experience in the context of technology design. She has specialized in user experience ranging from human-robot interaction to user interface design. Key topics central to her studies include emotions, trust and ethics. Rousi also has a background in cultural studies and as a performance artist.

 

Tanja Sihvonen Profile Photo

Tanja Sihvonen

Tanja is a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Vaasa. She is specialized in digital media, games, and participatory cultures on the internet. Her most recent work considers role-playing games, blockchain technologies, and algorithmic agency in social media.

 

Ilona Sochting Profile Photo

Ilona Söchting

Ilona is Founder and CEO of Analytics Pika Oy – a data science expert company focusing on marine situational awareness solutions. Ilona specializes in data fusion, remote sensing and pattern recognition.

 

Rayko Toshev Profile Photo

Rayko Toshev

Rayko is a University Lecturer in Production at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. Rayko is responsible for the 3D workspace at the VME with expertise in 3D and XR environments and production.

 

Maarit Välisuo Profile Photo

Maarit Välisuo

Maarit is a University Teacher in Computer Science at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. Maarit’s expertise relates to web and mobile application development. She also has experience and interests in AI and AR applications, as well as in art history.

 

Meniina Wik Profile Photo

Meniina Wik

Meniina is a doctoral student in Communication studies at the School of Marketing and Communication at the University of Vaasa. Meniina is specialized in graphic design, visual communication, fan communication as well as in practices and media studies.

 

Nannan Xi Profile Photo

Nannan Xi

Nannan is an Assistant Professor at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. Nannan’s areas of expertise are in game-based approaches (e.g. gamification, VR, AR, mixed reality and live streaming) for consumer decision making in different business domains such as retail, finance and online community.