Contact us at pdp@aalto.fi
Tua Björklund
Course Professor
tua.bjorklund@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 50 511 3182
Tua is a professor of product development and the teacher-in-charge of PdP. She is also the director of the Design Factory and responsible for the interdisciplinary product development major and minor. Tua teaches human-centered product design and design thinking, and her research focuses on effective development collaboration practices and advancing new ideas in organizations.
Senni Kirjavainen
Coordinating teacher
senni.kirjavainen@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 50 521 5964
Senni is a researcher and teacher focusing on users, product development, design processes, and ways of supporting creativity. Senni draws from a MA degree in industrial and strategic design from Aalto University, and doctoral degree in product development. In PDP her role is to coordinate the teaching team and help students in their learning journey.
Eerika Hietaniemi
Course Assistant
eerika.hietaniemi@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 50 320 8850
TG @eerikahietaniemi
Eerika is a Master’s student in the Creative Sustainability program and studies in the Chemical Engineering track. She was the project manager of Team Kemira during the 2024–2025 PdP course. Outside of her studies, she enjoys playing board games with friends, staying active through sports, and baking. Eerika enjoys supporting others and is always happy to hear new ideas, questions or thoughts.
Sophia Lee Teatini
Course assistant
sophia.leeteatini@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 45 783 13715
Sophia is a Masters Student in Automation and Electrical Engineering school, with a major in Electronics and Digital Systems. After participating as a PdP student 2024-2025, she is back to guide students in their PdP journey and help out other teaching staff. Other than school and work, Sophia enjoys cooking, exercising, and social media content creation.
Tuomo Eloranta
Teacher
tuomo.eloranta@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 50 524 2794
Tuomo is a lecturer of interdisciplinary product development, with extensive experience in project-based learning, design thinking and student-team coaching from Aalto University and St. Gallen University, Switzerland. His research examines the dynamics of organisational change and information system adoption processes, especially in the context of R&D work.
Sanni Nisula
Course Assistant
sanni.nisula@aalto.fi
+358 50 599 9676
Sanni is a Master’s student in the Advanced Energy Solutions programme majoring in Conversion Processes. She completed PdP in 2025-2026 in Team Torggler developing more sustainable construction materials. During PdP this academic year she is joining Tuomo’s coaching team and will gladly help with any stages of your product development process and support with any team dynamic related issues. Outside of Aalto Sanni enjoys attending jams with groovy music and loads of improvisation.
Kalevi “Eetu” Ekman
PDP Founding Father
kalevi.ekman@aalto.fi
+358 (0) 50 555 3566
Eetu is a Senior Advisor at Aalto University School of Engineering and the founding father of PdP. Spending time with students is time well spent in Eetu’s books. He advances integrated product development, conceptual design phase, prototyping, and interdisciplinary co-creation between engineers, designers, and business professionals.