All projects involving the use of animals require prior authorisation from a body known as the Project Authorisation Board (formerly the Animal Experiment Board, ELLA).
The composition of the Board changes every five years.
The Project Authorisation Board consists of
- 16 members,
- 16 deputies,
- a chair, and
- a vice-chair.
The members of the Board are experts in
- scientific research,
- animal care and experimental techniques,
- veterinary medicine, and
- practical animal protection work or ethical questions.
Officers from the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland prepare applications for the Board’s consideration. The Board consists of four sections, which take turns to process applications.
A section can also decide to refer an application to the full Board, in which case all four sections take part in the proceedings. This is usually done if
- an application presents an important policy issue,
- the section rejects an application, or
- the members of the section cannot agree on the fate of an application.
(deputies in brackets)
Chairpersons
Chair: Heidi Nieminen, Master of Laws
Vice Chair: Mika Leppinen, Master of Laws
Experts in scientific research
Kari Mäkelä, Research Fellow (Ilona Kareinen, Scientific Officer)
Petteri Piepponen, Adjunct Professor, (Vootele Voikar, Adjunct Professor)
Niina Saarinen-Aaltonen, Adjunct Professor (Esa Koskela, Adjunct Professor)
Hanna Vuorenpää, Research Fellow (Satu Kuure, Adjunct Professori)
Experts in experimental animal care and experimental techniques
Tiina Jalonen, Facility Manager (Marketta Pälsynaho, Laboratory Manager)
Niina Kemppinen, Laboratory Coordinator (Kirsi Vienola, Senior Specialist)
Hanna Miettinen, Service Manager (Nina Juoperi, Chief Laboratory Technician)
Satu Mering, Docent (Anne Kankkunen, Chief Laboratory Technician)
Experts in veterinary medicine
Sakari Laaksonen, Veterinarian (Varpu Laine, Veterinarian)
Anna Meller, Veterinarian (Karoliina Alm, Veterinarian)
Emrah Yatkin, Adjunct Professor (Brian Mphande, Veterinarian)
Kai Õkva, Veterinarian, (Paula Lidauer, Veterinarian)
Experts in practical animal protection work or ethical questions
Tiina Kauppinen, Senior Specialist (Marianna Norring, Adjunct Professor)
Nea Konttinen, Research Technician, (Liisa Silvennoinen, Doctoral Candidate)
Suvi Ponnikas, Academy Research Fellow (Saara Kupsala, Animal Welfare Ombudsman)
Kirsi Swan, Supervising Veterinarian (Auli Kiukkonen, Chief Researcher)