Leaders from throughout Colorado State University met with a delegation of researchers and business leaders from Finland on Wednesday as a part of a broad effort to strengthen relationships between the Nordic country and the state of Colorado.
Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Finnish ambassador to the U.S., led the go to, which aimed to construct results-oriented partnerships that promote industrial, commerce and coverage cooperation. To that finish, the Finnish group met with researchers from the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences to focus on frequent curiosity in advancing cutting-edge applied sciences. The go to additionally included conferences between the ambassador, CSU President Amy Parsons and Vice President for Research Cassandra Moseley to discover how the college and nation might higher companion on matters akin to quantum and aerospace.
One focus in the course of the go to was round clear power and local weather resilience at each the scientific and industrial ranges. The group heard shows about research at CSU to improve energy-intensive operations at data centers and about work to develop new battery systems for use in electric vehicles and beyond. The go to additionally included a tour of the Advanced Beam Laboratory on the Foothills Campus, the place researchers are growing the know-how wanted to enable clean fusion energy through a unique public-private partnership.
Mikkola mentioned CSU’s real enthusiasm for collaboration stood out to her in the course of the go to.
“At CSU, we see the same commitment to excellence and innovation that defines Finland’s approach to science and technology. Together, we work on joint research projects in fields such as meteorology, atmospheric science and environmental studies, connecting Finnish expertise and infrastructure with CSU’s strong research capabilities,” she mentioned.
CSU and Finland share a longstanding and wealthy historical past of research collaboration. Between 2021 and 2025 alone, University and Finnish researchers co-authored greater than 170 scientific publications – a lot of that are constructed round key interdisciplinary matters of world curiosity.
University Distinguished Professor V. “Chandra” Chandrasekar’s work within the nation, relationship again to 2010, is only one instance of these high-impact partnerships. Chandrasekar is an professional in climate radar science and know-how and labored with Finnish firm Vaisala to develop environmental measurement merchandise. The electrical and pc engineering school member has additionally led work with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and University of Helsinki and was awarded the Insignia of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 2016 for his research efforts in the country.
Moseley mentioned the go to was extraordinarily productive and mentioned she appears ahead to new collaborations that can quickly come from these preliminary conferences.
“This visit provided a wonderful opportunity to not only highlight the impressive work that has already been done but to continue to strengthen the foundations that support those efforts,” Moseley mentioned. “It was a pleasure to meet so many talented research leaders from Finland and be able to speak directly with the ambassador about ways we can partner further on key topics, like sustainability, that CSU is leading across departments and programs. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together as partners in the future.”