Applied math rubs up against biology

In place of protractors and slide rules, Karttunen uses a laptop and the written word to express his ideas. And instead of deciphering proofs and equations, he strives to contribute knowledge to the fields of medicine, physiology, biology and physics.

"Computer simulation and theory are our tools," he says in reference to his research.

Karttunen arrived at Western in January. Though he is studying many things, one big goal is to understand the basic physiological functioning of the cell membrane. He is trying to understand by what methods substances - both beneficial and harmful - enter and exit cells.

Though Karttunen's work sounds like biology, there is a distinction between his research and that of a biologist. The major difference is that Karttunen's experiments are run through intricate computer simulations, rather than on Petri dishes in a laboratory. He works with other researchers, often in the medical field, trying to find practical applications for his discoveries.

Karttunen says the opportunity to work with a wide range of other motivated researchers is one reason he chose to come to Western.

"It's a big enough university, having lots of things going on," he says. "It seemed like an appropriate fit for me. The spirit here was an important thing."

He also was no stranger to Canada, having moved here in 1993 to take a PhD at McGill University.

Karttunen also likes the setup of his new department at Western.

"It's very interdisciplinary," he says. "And there's diversity here. It creates a nice atmosphere."

The enthusiastic, productive environment matches Karttunen's own strong work ethic. He says his work consumes most of his time - but he is so engaged in what he is doing that the long hours are not a drawback.

Colin Denniston, a friend and colleague in the math department, describes Karttunen as hard-working.

"You can't produce 25 papers a year without working really hard," he says. "And it's not just focused on himself. He's already helped us update the web page of the department. It looks a lot better than it did before."

Karttunen has a talent for design, and aside from helping with the website, often designs the detailed computer simulations he uses in his work.
He also enjoys photography, having learned the craft working as a freelance photojournalist in his youth. In a crossover of work and play, Karttunen often uses original photos to illustrate and liven up the websites he maintains.
He also makes time for physical activity of all kinds and is an avid cyclist. "In Europe I often take a week every year and go biking around," he says.
His next cycling trip to Europe will be a homecoming of sorts for Karttunen. The 38-year-old was born in Siilinjarvi, Finland, to father Erkki and mother Eeva.

He also has a younger brother named Petteri back home. Karttunen's 10-year-old son is also living there.

Karttunen spent most of his growing-up years in Finland. Before launching into his academic career, he was side-tracked briefly by the country's mandatory military service when he was 18 years old. He did not find it particularly stimulating.

"It was simply boring," he says with a smile. "Most of the time you wait for something to happen."

After leaving the military, Karttunen was not sure what he wanted to do. He considered journalism as well as history, but ultimately decided on another direction. Realizing that math and science were strong interests, he enrolled in a Finnish university and completed an M.Sc. in engineering physics. That decision set him on the path to Western, and a career he is finding compelling.

Karttunen hopes to maintain that interest and enthusiasm for his work for many more years. When considering what the next 10 or 15 years might hold, Karttunen says the most important thing is feeling satisfied with what he's involved in. Down the line, he says, "I want to still be enjoying what I'm doing."

The writer is a graduate student in Journalism.

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Biography

* Came to Canada in 1993 to attend McGill University

* PhD in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics.

* Post-doctoral work in Germany at the Max Planck Institute

* Academic-related trips to Switzerland, the former Czechoslovakia, Chile, Japan and China

* Has a German pinscher named Brandy.

* Has co-authored two books dealing with aspects of his research