Research leadership: Risto Rautiainen, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Feb. 24 for UNMC's 2021 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.

• Name: Risto Rautiainen, PhD
• Title: Professor, UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, College of Public Health 
• Joined UNMC: 2009 
• Hometown: Born: Lavia, Finland. Currently: Omaha 

Research focus: Health and safety in agriculture 

Why is research important in the world today? Research is needed to create unbiased information that can be used as a foundation for a sustainable development of health and well-being of mankind. 

My research will make a difference because:

Farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers and their family members have high rates of injury and illness that can be prevented with targeted research, intervention and outreach.

The best advice I could give a beginning researcher is: Find the research area that you really care about, build your expertise by training and work experience, network and become a good marketer of your research expertise.

The toughest lesson I’ve learned is: Failing your dissertation defense, being fired, working in some jobs that nobody wants — and turning disappointing experiences to positive fighting energy! — with Finnish “SISU” in my case.

The best part of my job is: Working with a brilliant, enthusiastic multidisciplinary team who all — I think — are smarter than me.

Three things you may not know about me are:

• There may be more people who know me as a musician, rather than researcher.
• My secrets to good health are sauna, cod liver oil and cross country skiing. (Wish we had more good snow.).
• I try not to take life too seriously.