Turun Yliopistojen dosenttiyhdistys ry. (Docent association of Turku universities) has chosen University Lecturer in Biochemistry Jarmo Käpylä from the University of Turku as the Docent of the Year 2026. The recognition was awarded at the Academic Day organised jointly by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University on 19 March 2026.
The universities in Turku celebrate their collaboration and shared academic roots by organising an annual Academic Day. This year, the event was held in the new Astra building of Åbo Akademi University. As part of the Academic Day, Turun Yliopistojen dosenttiyhdistys ry. (Docent association of Turku universities) has traditionally awarded the Docent of the Year recognition.
Jarmo Käpylä was awarded the Docent of the Year recognition based on a proposal made by the Faculty of Technology. The docent association emphasises both scientific merit and societal impact in its selection process.
The most important factor cited in the award justifications is Käpylä's long-standing and proactive work in developing collaboration between the University of Turku and upper secondary schools in the region. Käpylä has also made a significant contribution to the planning, establishment and implementation of the master's degree programme in molecular cell biology offered jointly by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, particularly with regard to its biochemistry track.
“The docent association values Käpylä’s collaboration with upper secondary schools and its importance in passing on the value of scientific knowledge and academic education to younger generations. Each year, approximately 150 students from upper secondary schools in Turku and the surrounding area visit the Department of Biochemistry and conduct a hands-on laboratory exercise related to the isolation and analysis of DNA,” says University Lecturer Tiina Mahlamäki from the University of Turku.
The Docent of the Year confirms that the laboratory collaboration is rewarding for both sides.
“Biochemistry is firmly rooted in experimentation, so offering upper secondary school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the tools and methods of the field will certainly help them to better understand its fundamentals and may also spark their interest in the field. I also believe that academic education and critical thinking skills are becoming increasingly important in navigating the ever-expanding world of social media,” says Käpylä.
Käpylä is also a highly regarded teacher among university students and has been chosen as the teacher of the year at the Department of Life Technologies three times. He emphasises that integrating research findings and methods into teaching is a particularly important means of transferring expertise.
“Teaching and sharing knowledge with students is extremely rewarding work. This is particularly evident during laboratory work, where there is a great deal of one-on-one interaction with students and feedback is immediate.
Docent of the Year Jarmo Käpylä
- Jarmo Käpylä (b. 1962) is an accomplished researcher with a list of approximately 50 publications. Käpylä has served as a senior research associate and university lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry (currently the Department of Life Technologies) at the University of Turku since 2005.
- Käpylä earned his master’s degree from the Department and went on to complete a dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania (1989–1992). After returning to Finland, he has continued his career at the Universities of Turku and Jyväskylä.
- Käpylä has supervised four completed dissertations and is currently supervising one dissertation that is in its final stages.
Explore his publications.
