Pauliina Damdimopoulou

About me

I’m a research group leader with training in biochemistry, cell biology and toxicology, with a keen interest in the effects of chemicals on reproductive health in women. My research group is located at CLINTEC (Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology).

I obtained my PhD education in Finland. In my thesis work I studied how dietary lignans (fiber associated polyphenolic compounds) and cadmium (toxic metal) affect estrogen signalling. I carried out my first postdoc in a small biotech company in Paris developing a transgenic fish model for the detection of androgenic activity of chemicals. For my second postdoc I moved my focus from chemicals to early development and spent three years studying development of pre-implantation embryos and maturation of ovarian follicles at Karolinska Institutet.

Since 2014 I am an independent principal investigator.

Research description

I’m interested in the impact of pharmaceuticals and environmental chemicals on fertility in women with a special focus on the ovary. Research in my group can be divided under four main topics:

1) Identification of chemicals and their mixtures that associate to decreased fertility in women

2) Detailed cellular and molecular characterization of human ovaries from birth to menopause

3) Identification of mechanisms by which chemicals adversely affect ovaries and development of better test systems for reproductive toxicity

4) Development of in vitro models that mimic ovaries

Teaching portfolio

I’m a docent in endocrine physiology (2015, University of Turku, Finland) and in toxicology (2021, Karolinska Institutet) with teaching experience from various MSc and PhD courses at different universities in Sweden and Finland.

I have supervised several undergraduate students through their practical laboratory training, as well as M.Sc. thesis projects and PhD students. 

I have formal training in higher education pedagogics and supervision of doctoral students. 

Education

2005 MSc in Biochemistry and Food chemistry, University of Turku, Finland

2008 PhD in Cell biology, University of Turku, Finland. Thesis title "Modulation of estrogen signaling by enterolactone and its dietary sources"

2015 Docent in Endocrine physiology, University of Turku, Finland

2021 Docent in Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet

Academic honours, awards and prizes

2018- Sustainable development ombudsman at CLINTEC

2021- Member of the European Society of Endocrinology EDC Working Group

2021- Member of Swedish Academic Consortium on Chemical Safety steering group

2022- Co-leader of network for female researchers and teachers at Karolinska Institutet