Our Trainees – The Heart of Boreal Bioproducts’ Laboratory
At Boreal Bioproducts, our daily laboratory operations wouldn’t run smoothly without the help of our talented trainees. From polymer synthesis and barrier coatings to analytical measurements and lignin research, their work supports the backbone of our R&D activities and drives our mission to develop sustainable, bio-based alternatives for fossil-based materials.
Building Confidence in the Lab – Elena’s Story
Alexander Henn & Elena Tencheva
For Elena Tencheva, joining Boreal Bioproducts has been a major step in developing her confidence as a laboratory professional.
“The biggest change I’ve felt since working here has been the boost in my confidence when it comes to working in the lab,” she shares. “At school, it was scary — I never felt like I knew what I was doing or why. But now, lab work feels natural and even exciting.”
With the trust and guidance of her supervisor Alexander Henn, D.Sc., Elena has learned to believe in her skills.
“Alexander has shown so much trust in me that I eventually had to start trusting myself too,” she says.
Elena’s workdays vary widely — some filled with experiments and tests, others with problem-solving and reflection. And sometimes, a little creativity and music find their way into the mix.
Her motivation comes from continuous learning and sustainability:
“It’s exciting to try and replace products with greener alternatives. Helping Alex and making his work easier is also very rewarding.”
Patience and Precision – Anastasija’s Perspective
Anastasija Mironova
Anastasija Mironova describes her time at Boreal Bioproducts as a journey of professional growth and self-discipline.
“I’ve definitely developed more patience and a thoughtful approach to problem-solving. Taking the time to clearly understand what I’m doing and why often leads to valuable insights,” she explains.
Balancing her internship with her studies has also helped her refine her time-management and organizational skills.
“A typical day involves analyzing results from previous tests, discussing observations with my research manager, and identifying ways to optimize processes before moving on to new experiments.”
What she enjoys most is seeing theory come to life:
“Applying what I’ve learned in real-world lab work — and seeing things happen in real time — is incredibly rewarding.”
Hands-On Experience and Trust – Dawn’s Experience
Tainise Lourençon & Dawn Feng
For Xiaojiao (Dawn) Feng, who has been part of Boreal Bioproducts for nine months, working on paper surface coating projects with Tainise Lourençon has been both educational and inspiring.
“This experience feels like a paid learning opportunity enriched with an industrial perspective,” she says. “I’ve gained valuable hands-on experience in barrier property testing, explored various coating additives, and learned to adapt to a dynamic startup environment.”
She has also had the opportunity to expand her skills through short-term cooperation with Tony TIainen on polymerization research — knowledge she believes will be valuable for her career ahead.
“Working here has given me a strong sense of trust and autonomy,” Dawn adds. “I’m encouraged to take responsibility for my work and manage my schedule, which fits perfectly with my studies.”
Dawn emphasizes the supportive and balanced culture at Boreal Bioproducts:
“Even though the pace of a startup can be fast, the company truly values our well-being. The people here make it a great place to grow.”
Empowering the Next Generation of Bioproduct Innovators
Our trainees bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and energy to Boreal Bioproducts every day. Their work helps drive forward our innovation in polymer synthesis, barrier coatings, and lignin-based materials — and their growth reflects our commitment to developing future experts in sustainable materials.
As R&D Manager Tainise Lourençon, PhD, puts it:
“The work of our research assistants is truly valuable and deeply appreciated at Boreal Bioproducts. While they help keep our laboratory activities running seamlessly and efficiently, having these bright young minds around has an even greater impact on me. Their presence motivates me to communicate more clearly, strengthen my management skills, and beyond that, inspires me to become a source of encouragement and leadership for them.”
At Boreal Bioproducts, we’re proud to be a place where aspiring researchers can build confidence, gain practical experience, and contribute to a greener future — one experiment at a time.
Boreal Bioproducts is a Finland-based biorefinery startup. It’s mission is to convert forest industry side-streams into valuable ingredients for the personal care and chemical industries. It enables the transition towards bioeconomy. The growing offering of ingredients consists of SpruceSugar™ polysaccharides, SpruceLigno™ lignins, SpruceFiber™ specialty fibers, SpruceMix™ phenolic oligosaccharides and SpruceTannin™ polyphenols rich in tannin.