Eija Heikkilä received her master’s degree (Biochemistry) from the University of Oulu and PhD degree from the University of Helsinki, Finland.  In her PhD work she investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and disruption kidney filtration barrier by focusing on kidney podocyte cells and their special cell-cell contact, the slit diaphragm.

She is working in B.Thorens’ group since September 1st, 2010.