Young Clinical Researcher of the Year 2026 Markus Haapanen aims to improve care for older patients

Associate Professor Markus Haapanen has been named Finland’s Young Clinical Researcher of the Year 2026 in recognition of his work promoting the use of research evidence in everyday healthcare practice. He received the award at the NuoriLääkäriPäivät gala on 8 October 2026.

According to Haapanen, who specialises in geriatrics, research on ageing and the health of older adults is particularly important because older people represent the largest and fastest-growing patient group in healthcare.

However, much more evidence is still needed to support their care.

“Without research, treatment can easily be guided by habit rather than evidence. The care of older people is still largely based on studies conducted in younger and healthier populations. For example, clinical drug trials often exclude the very people who use these medications most: frail older adults and those living with multiple health conditions.”

Haapanen is an Associate Professor of Implementation Medicine in the University of Oulu’s Health Dimensions research programme. His research is inspired by challenges encountered in everyday clinical practice and focuses on improving patient care by helping evidence-based treatments and practices become part of routine healthcare.

The Young Clinical Researcher of the Year award is presented annually to a medical professional who has made a significant contribution to clinical research and obtained their medical degree less than ten years ago. The recipient is selected by an award committee representing the Young Doctors’ Association of the Finnish Medical Association, the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and Finska Läkaresällskapet. The award is funded by the Pharmaceutical Research Foundation.

The original news release (in Finnish) about the award is available on the website of Pharma Industry Finland.