Is your invention protected, or can it be copied? Maarit helps researchers with intellectual property questions

The Innovation Centre offers a wide range of expertise — from commercializing research results and sparring with business ideas to helping with intellectual property rights (IPR). To make our experts more accessible to you, we are introducing them in this blog series.

Do you have an idea or invention with commercial potential? If so, you should get to know our IPR Manager Maarit Jokela, who is featured in this blog post.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I have a PhD in biochemistry and am a science communication professional with a teaching qualification. I’ve worked with IPR-related matters for over 17 years in various settings: at a university, a foundation, and in industry.

I’m a cat person to the core. I often roam through forests and fields with my cat Lumi. Nature is very close to my heart. I enjoy various forms of hiking — by bike, canoe, skis, or on foot. Whenever I’m sitting still, whether in front of the TV, on a bus, or in a waiting room, I’m usually working on a craft project.

What do you do for work?

I help researchers commercialize their findings, especially in matters related to intellectual property and inventions. Intellectual property rights include patents, copyrights, and trademarks, for example. I also manage the university’s patent portfolio and provide IPR-related training.

What have you studied?

I studied biochemistry up to the doctoral level. My interest in IPR was sparked during my PhD research on an enzyme with novel capabilities for replicating and detecting errors in DNA. The research could potentially have led to a commercial product, but at that time, IPR wasn’t actively discussed at the university. The matter was left there, but I started learning more about intellectual property rights on my own. I began working with IPR in 2008 at the Foundation for Finnish Inventions and later moved to the University of Oulu. I’ve also studied science communication.

What’s the best part of your job?

The variety, and being able to use what I’ve learned in the past while constantly learning new things. It’s also rewarding to share information with researchers in trainings and meetings — especially when I can introduce concepts they may not have thought of before.

What would you say to a researcher with a business idea or a new invention?

Contact the Innovation Centre early, before publishing your results!

Keep your eyes open: it’s often hard to recognize your own invention, especially the first time around. An outsider might more easily spot whether your research includes an invention with commercial potential.

Commercialisation and collaboration with companies doesn’t detract from research — it often supports it. For example, it can help secure funding. In any case, it's always worth considering the practical applicability of your research, which doesn’t necessarily mean commercialization.

What’s your favorite innovation?

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for DNA amplification. It allowed biotechnology to make a huge leap forward by enabling DNA replication.

A different kind of favourite innovation is the cat harness. Lumi and I use one on our walks, and sometimes it’s hard to get her back inside!

Tell us something about yourself that others might not know!

I’ve collected quite a number of cat figurines — some bought, some given as gifts. I use a picture of Lumi as the background on my devices.

What do you do in your free time?

I knit socks and mittens and work on other handicrafts. I also enjoy hiking in many forms: paddling, walking, skiing, and cycling.

You can admire Maarit’s knitted socks on Instagram at @sukkatohtori. 

Maarit Jokela

IPR Manager
maarit.jokela@oulu.fi
+358294488066