Rate My Professor Ilkka Laakso

Ilkka Laakso is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation at Aalto University, where he leads the Electromagnetics in Health Technology research group. Specializing in Electromagnetics in Health Technologies, he develops computational methods for multi-physics modelling of the human body, combining numerical analysis of electromagnetic fields with anatomical and functional modelling. His research addresses multidisciplinary applications in biomedical engineering for device development, clinical practice for diagnosis and rehabilitation, and neurosciences for brain research. A primary focus is on computational tools for non-invasive brain stimulation, including transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation, to enhance safety, efficacy, and individualized treatments. The group also investigates electromagnetic safety of emerging technologies and supports novel healthcare applications. Laakso earned his Master's degree in electromagnetics and circuit theory from Helsinki University of Technology in 2007, Licentiate degree from the same institution in 2009, and Doctoral degree in Engineering and Technology from Aalto University in 2011. Post-doctorate, he served four years at Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan as postdoctoral researcher, Research Assistant Professor, and Research Associate Professor before joining Aalto as Assistant Professor in 2015, advancing to Associate Professor.

Laakso's key publications include "Inter-subject variability in electric fields of motor cortical tDCS" (Brain Stimulation, 2015), "Effects of coil orientation on the electric field induced by TMS over the hand motor area" (Physics in Medicine and Biology, 2014), "Can electric fields explain inter-individual variability in transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex?" (Scientific Reports, 2019), "Fast multigrid-based computation of the induced electric field for transcranial magnetic stimulation" (Physics in Medicine and Biology, 2012), and "Assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields: Review and future directions" (IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 2021). He has received the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Technical Achievement Award in 2021 for contributions to computational dosimetry, URSI Young Scientist Award in 2017, IEICE Transactions Best Paper Award in 2014, Ericsson Young Scientist Award in 2011, and several other excellence and young scientist awards. Professionally, he is secretary of the IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety Subcommittee on EMF Dosimetry Modeling, member of the ICNIRP Main Commission since 2024, and former editor of IEICE Transactions on Electronics (2015-2016). His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 7, and 13.