I am a health scientist with a particular interest in aging. In my research, psychology, and sports sciences also play a significant role. The aim of my research is to understand the interaction between psychological and physical factors and their connection to functional ability and quality of life throughout the life course. I am interested in why some individuals maintain their functional ability better as they age and what factors underlie our daily choices, for example, regarding health behaviors.
I completed my PhD studies at the University of Jyväskylä, majoring in gerontology and public health in 2019. After my PhD I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä and as a visiting researcher at Florida State University in the US and the University of Münster in Germany. In autumn 2024, I started as a Senior Researcher at Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
X/Twitter: @KekalainenTiia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-0160-727X
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=D1rFjnAAAAAJ&hl=fi