Research director
Pia Siljander, PhD Associate professor, is an internationally recognized leader in platelet biology and extracellular vesicle (EV) research. Her early work advanced the understanding of platelet–collagen interactions, elucidating how collagen receptor engagement regulates platelet activation, integrin function, and procoagulant responses during thrombus formation laying the mechanistic foundation to the subsequent pioneering research on platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs).
Siljander was among the first to demonstrate that activated platelets release heterogeneous, biologically active extracellular vesicles, establishing PEVs as mediators of intercellular communication. Her research has defined the heterogeneity, composition (incl. pioneering work on molecular corona), and functional roles of EVs in haemostasis, immunity, and different diseases, incl. cancer.
She has been a central contributor to conceptual advances in EVs roles as mediators of physiology and pathology, including the shared first author landmark paper “Biological properties of extracellular vesicles and their physiological functions” (Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 2015), originating from the European COST Action ME-HaD (2012–2016), where she served as a work group leader.
She has played a leading role in shaping the EV field globally. She is an active contributor to international standardization efforts, including the highly cited MISEV and MIBlood EV guidelines and collaborative initiatives such as the Blood Extracellular Vesicle Task Force, promoting harmonization of EV measurements and clinical translation. She has also contributed to building research networks and infrastructure such as the world’s first dedicated EV core facility at the University of Helsinki.
She has an extensive publication record with over 34,000 citations and an h-index of 46 (Google Scholar 6/2026), reflecting her research contributions.
At the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, she continues to redefine the central role of platelets in blood as multifunctional regulators and to advance the theranostic potential of extracellular vesicles. She is also the director of the serum eye drop research consortium.
