I had the honour of attending the Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium in Stockholm as part of the Young Researcher Challenge. The prize, awarded by The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, aims to recognize, inspire, and promote groundbreaking scientific achievements that significantly contribute to fields essential for forestry and forest industries. This year, the prize honoured Drs. Darius Adams, Joseph Buongiorno, and Richard Haynes for “their original and groundbreaking development of the forest sector economic models TAMM and PAPYRUS and its extension to the global forest products model GFPM”.
The Young Researcher Challenge spanned three days, beginning with a get-together seminar, where we had the opportunity to interact and learn from Joseph Buongiorno and Richard Haynes, who were in Stockholm to receive the award. Additionally, we engaged in a poster session and a group dinner, encouraging better connections.
The following day provided an opportunity to present my research in a 3-minute pitch competition. I shared outcome from the SUSBINCO project, where I developed bio-based surfactants as stabilizers for aqueous dispersion coatings. The pitch format was a new experience for me, providing a valuable learning experience. The day concluded with a gala dinner where King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the prize to the laureates.
On the final day, we attended seminars featuring current research from the Wallenberg Foundation and collaborators, along with a panel discussion. The day concluded with a diploma ceremony and the announcement of pitch competition winners.
It was a great pleasure to meet other young researchers and attendees at the MWP symposium. I extend my gratitude to Puunjalostusinsinöörit ry, Business Finland, and CLIC Innovation Oy for making this experience possible. I also want to thank my supervisors, Prof. Chunlin Xu and Prof. Martti Toivakka, for their support for this event.
(Link for the pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wFmQHEFxg)
Minette Kvikant (minette.kvikant@abo.fi)