Our core team consists of experienced professionals in science and media, talented across multiple fields.
Permanent staff

Helena Telkänranta
Founder and CEO
Helena's work in public communication of animal behaviour, cognition and other biological sciences spans decades and has been recognised with multiple awards. She has a PhD in applied animal behaviour science and has worked at the universities of Helsinki, Finland and Bristol, UK. At Arador Productions and Arador Health Science, Helena leads the projects, participates in planning, co-writes scripts and coordinates cooperation with partner organisations.

Maija Karala
Science writer and illustrator
Maija is a biologist with a multi-faceted career in public communication of science: writing, illustrating and lecturing. At Arador Productions, Maija gathers and organises information from scientific publications and other sources, in addition to planning and drawing comics and other illustrations. Maija belongs to the development teams of our games, comics and the documentary film.

Ville Sinkkonen
Concept artist and 3D artist
Ville is a versatile artist with skills in drawing, painting, game development, virtual reality production and more. At Arador Productions, Ville participates in concept development for virtual reality, games and comics, in addition to creating 3D models and other assets. Ville belongs to the development teams of our, games, comics and virtual reality.
Project staff of Arador Productions
Taru Tornikoski, volunteer in documentary film development
Karolina Beirad, intern in public communication of science
Project staff of Arador Health Science
In the research project carried out at Helsinki Zoo in collaboration with the University of Helsinki and funded by Kone Foundation, comprising infrared thermography and studies on zoo visitors, the core team consists of the following:
Research leads:
Sonja Koski
Emma Vitikainen
Helena Telkänranta
Doctoral student:
Laura Hiisivuori
Shorter-term staff consists of the following:
Current Master's students:
Pirjo Matero
Pinja Nivalainen
Janita Ikonen
Karoliina Kinnari
Mirko Pomatti
Current research interns:
Anssi Vainio
Karolina Beirad
In the research project on infrared thermography and emotions in horses, the team consists of the following:
Project lead:
Helena Telkänranta
Additional student supervision:
Emma Vitikainen
Master's student:
Krista Koppelomäki
Research interns:
Mirko Riekkinen
Anita Bognomini