JYU for YOU (S01 E04): Reaching new scientific heights with Henna Kokkonen

In this episode of the JYU for YOU podcast, host Irfan interviews Finland’s top young physicist, Henna Kokkonen, who gained international recognition after discovering a new isotope while working on her master’s thesis. Now a successful doctoral researcher at JYU’s Nuclear Spectroscopy Group, Henna’s academic journey began with a love for sports and a curiosity about history, until a passionate physics teacher ignited her interest in physics. Despite some initial concerns, through hard work and dedication, as well as some good friends, Henna managed to find a place for herself. She credits her success to the support from her friends, family, and the Physics Department at JYU. Breaking the physicist stereotype, she balances her research with traveling, playing on a local volleyball team, Vehniän Wartti, and socializing. Henna represents the new generation of Finnish researchers, highlighted by her invitation to Linnan juhlat, Finland’s Independence Day reception organized by the President of the Republic, in December 2023. International Master’s Degree Programmes: www.jyu.fi/en/study-with-us/masters-degree-programmes Physics at JYU: https://www.jyu.fi/en/study-with-us/masters-degree-programmes/masters-degree-programme-in-physics The discussed paper: https://journals.aps.org/prc/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevC.107.064312 Henna’s master’s thesis: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87126 JYU for YOU podcast: https://linktr.ee/jyuforyou #jyu #physics #doctoraleducation #thesis #jkl #vehnianwartti #jyvaskyla #phd #stem #volleyball #nuclearphysics #isotopes