PhD (cognitive science) | MSc (technology)
[email protected] | +358 50 327 5154
My unique combination of neuroscience expertise and analytics skill set positions me at the forefront of the evolving field of decision science. This combination ensures a deep understanding of novel data analytics and tools, with a particular focus on how cognitive and statistical biases can influence decision-making processes.
As a data professional, I possess a deep comprehension of the latest in data analytics and tools, reflecting the holistic, decision-centric focus that characterizes decision science. My background in engineering and psychology enriches my approach, allowing me to evaluate and apply various methodologies effectively.
In academia, my focus on digital health and risk management over the past decade has broadened my perspective. This experience has not only sharpened my capabilities in international collaboration and independent project management but also in driving projects that require a multifaceted understanding of data and human behaviour.
I have been involved in a variety of research projects, focusing on topics like sleep research, circadian rhythms, psychophysics, executive functions, situational awareness, multimodal perception, burn-out, safety, and risk avoidance. These projects, detailed in the Skills section, reflect my ability to apply analytical techniques in varied contexts, a key aspect of decision science.
My experience in cutting-edge R&D teams has provided me with extensive practical knowledge of current data tools, methods, and technologies. My tenure in fast-paced business environments has honed my agility and adaptability, skills critical for successful decision-making in the ever-evolving data landscape. Working in small, dynamic companies has further cultivated my resilience and ability to thrive amidst constant change.
As an analytical thinker, I value the big-picture perspective that is central to decision science. Identifying what is relevant and focusing on those aspects is crucial. The importance of utilizing state-of-the-art tools in this context cannot be overstated, as they enable the holistic approach to decision-making that is at the heart of decision science.
brief listing of relevant skills
R, Python, UNIX, Tidymodels, Tensorflow, Tableau, SQL, git, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Data Fusion, Feature Extraction, Bayesian Analysis, Classification Techniques, Graph-theory, Signal Processing, Computational Neuroscience, Health Technology, IoT, Academic Communications, MATLAB, EEG, MEG, ECG, PPG, Actigraphy, EDA, experience sampling, Presenting, Teaching, Project Management, AI, Cognitive Psychology, and decision-making
diplomas and theses
- Doctor of Philosophy
- University of Helsinki
- Major: Cognitive science
- Thesis: Quantifying Cognition: Applications for Ubiquitous Data
- Master of Science in Technology
- Aalto University
- Major: Cognitive technology
- Thesis: a Computational Approach to Estimation of Crowding in Natural Images
certificates and international experience
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- University of Helsinki (Finland) 2021 -
- High Performance Cognition Laboratory
- Project researcher and consulting laboratory infra development
- NordForsk GUESSED project
- University of Helsinki (Finland) 2021 -
- Visiting Researcher
- McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) 2013
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Computer Science
- Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) 2012
- BRAMS – International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research
- McGill University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) 2013
- Other Certificates
- Product Development (Specialist Qualification) 2012
- Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI)
- Product Development (Specialist Qualification) 2012
latest employments
- Senior Data Science Consultant (Audiodraft Ltd.) 2022
- Main project: Consulting statistical methodology in product testing and customer satisfaction measures. Also leading the development of in-house data processing flows and various other data engineering responsibilities.
- Postdoctoral Researcher (University of Helsinki) 2021
- Main project: improve decision-making and education in avalanche terrain mainly for back-country recreationalists. Our team develops a structure or decision making approach based on expert decision making in avalanche terrain and test the approach on scenarios among users and experts and validate this in the field. I'm also taking care of technical consulting for setting up and developing High Performance Cognition Group's laboratory.
- Senior Data Scientist (Nightingale Health Ltd.) 2018
- Main projects: development of development environment and processes (DevOps), platform and process development for biomarker extraction (DS), development of risk models and predictions from biobank population data (DS)
- My main role was leading and supporting scientific analyses for internal R&D and external dissemination. I was involved in development of data science environment and processes with DevOps team. However, my main contributions are in process and analysis development of the biomarker extraction product and product development for predicting risk scores in population models.
- Research Engineer (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health) 2009
- Projects: Seamless patient care (Tekes), Burnout in the brain at work (Academy of Finland), Revolution of Knowledge Work (Tekes)
I prepared my PhD. I took part in research funding applications, and presented results in international forums. I was responsible in setting up research paradigms and analysis of results. I gave lectures and planned the projects with collaborators and customers. I was also leading projects.
- Projects: Seamless patient care (Tekes), Burnout in the brain at work (Academy of Finland), Revolution of Knowledge Work (Tekes)
- Laboratory Engineer (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health) 2008
- Projects: SalWe -- enabling research for health and well-being (Tekes/EU), Supporting situation awareness in demanding operating conditions through wearable multimodal user interfaces (Tekes)
Supporting research paradigm development, conducting measurements, supporting laboratory maintenance and development, preparing literature reviews.
- Projects: SalWe -- enabling research for health and well-being (Tekes/EU), Supporting situation awareness in demanding operating conditions through wearable multimodal user interfaces (Tekes)
- Research Assistant (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health) 2007
- Projects: Brain & Work: multi-tasking at work (Tekes)
I was hired to conduct a literature reviews and ended up preparing my master’s thesis. I was also supporting the measurements, and maintaining laboratories.
- Projects: Brain & Work: multi-tasking at work (Tekes)
publications extracted from google scholar
- Diminished brain responses to second-language words are linked with native-language literacy skills in dyslexia; S Ylinen, K Junttila, M Laasonen, P Iverson, L Ahonen, T Kujala; Neuropsychologia 122, 105-115; 2019
- Biosignals reflect pair-dynamics in collaborative work: EDA and ECG study of pair-programming in a classroom environment; L Ahonen, BU Cowley, A Hellas, K Puolamäki; Scientific reports 8 (1), 3138; 2018
- The psychophysiology primer: a guide to methods and a broad review with a focus on human–computer interaction; B Cowley, M Filetti, K Lukander, J Torniainen, A Henelius, L Ahonen, ...; Foundations and Trends® in Human–Computer Interaction 9 (3-4), 151-308; 2016
- A short review and primer on electroencephalography in human computer interaction applications; L Ahonen, B Cowley; arXiv preprint arXiv:1609.00183; 2016
- Using regression makes extraction of shared variation in multiple datasets easy; J Korpela, A Henelius, L Ahonen, A Klami, K Puolamäki; Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery 30, 1112-1133; 2016
- A short review and primer on event-related potentials in human computer interaction applications; M Huotilainen, B Cowley, L Ahonen; arXiv preprint arXiv:1608.08353; 2016
- Cognitive collaboration found in cardiac physiology: Study in classroom environment; L Ahonen, B Cowley, J Torniainen, A Ukkonen, A Vihavainen, ...; PloS one 11 (7), e0159178; 2016
- Within-and between-session replicability of cognitive brain processes: An MEG study with an N-back task; L Ahonen, M Huotilainen, E Brattico; Physiology & behavior 158, 43-53; 2016
- Job burnout is associated with dysfunctions in brain mechanisms of voluntary and involuntary attention; L Sokka, M Leinikka, J Korpela, A Henelius, L Ahonen, C Alain, K Alho, ...; Biological Psychology 117, 56-66; 2016
- Comparing Auditory Stimuli for Sleep Enhancement: Mimicking a Sleeping Situation; M Leminen, L Ahonen, M Gröhn, M Huotilainen, T Paunio, J Virkkala; Georgia Institute of Technology; 2014
- DECREASE OF PROCESSING SPEED DUE TO SWITCHING BETWEEN TASKS: MEG EVIDENCE; M Huotilainen, L Ahonen; PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY 50, S85-S85; 2013
- Designing auditory stimulus for sleep enhancement; L Ahonen, M Gröhn, M Huotilainen, S Jagadeesan, T Paunio, J Virkkala; Proc. of the 19th Int. Conf. of Auditory Display (ICAD 2013); 2013
- Effects of pleasant and unpleasant auditory mood induction on the performance and in brain activity in cognitive tasks; M Gröhn, L Ahonen, M Huotilainen; Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Auditory Display …; 2012
- Some Effects of Continous Tempo and Pitch Transformations in Perceived Pleasantness of Listening to a Musical Sound File; M Grohn, L Ahonen, M Huotilainen; International Community for Auditory Display; 2011
- Cueing spatial visual attention by symbolic and directional auditory stimuli; R Nasanen, L Ahonen, S Jagadeesan, K Muller; PERCEPTION 37, 98-98; 2008
stuff from my freetime
- Slackline Finland
- Member of Board
- Finnish Alpine Club
- Alppikerho.fi
- ex-Member of Board
React
Typescript
Django
Laravel
Facebook
Microsoft
Google
Alibaba
D3
Tencent