Edition 6 of YRMA Voices introduces us to Ramona Hiltensperger and Johanna Roponen, two researchers working at the intersection of mental health and nutrition. What began as a promising connection at a previous event has grown into a developing collaboration across Germany and Finland—now supported by the YERUN Research Mobility Award.
In this interview, they share how dedicated time together has allowed them to think more clearly, work more deeply, and plan their next steps with intention. From project design to cultural exchange (and traditional Finnish food), their reflections highlight the value of human connection at the core of academic partnerships.
What motivated you to apply for the YERUN Research Mobility Award?
Ramona Hiltensperger: I met my Finnish colleagues last year, and we had a very good connection right from the start. I applied for the YERUN Research Mobility Award because I really wanted to continue and deepen this collaboration. Meeting again in person felt important to keep the momentum going and to work more closely together.
Johanna Roponen: I totally agree with Ramona. Continuing and deepening our collaborations through the YERUN Research Mobility Award was an awesome opportunity.
What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming collaboration and mobility experience?
Johanna Roponen: Now we have already had the privilege to work onsite together in Ulm in Germany focusing and planning our next steps for our YERUN -project, and it has been great! Lots of coffee and laughs!
Ramona Hiltensperger: I am really looking forward to visiting Finland and spending several full days with my colleague Johanna. So far, we have only met during conferences or in short online meetings, which always felt a bit rushed. Now, we will finally have enough time to talk, plan, and work without so
many interruptions.
Are there specific goals you hope to achieve during your research stay?
Ramona Hiltensperger: I hope to continue our good working relationship and build strong trust between us. I am also excited to focus on one specific task for several days in a row, something that is often hard to do in our daily work routines.
Johanna Roponen: Thats true, usually the working days are full of tasks of different focuses, so it is really great to have some time to work a bit longer on a specific task. For me, it is also important to get to know colleagues, and I’m so excited to present the Finnish academic and research culture, as well as
traditional Finnish foods.
Thank you, Ramona and Johanna!
The collaboration between Ramona Hiltensperger and Johanna Roponen is a clear example of how the YERUN Research Mobility Awards support more than just academic output, they foster lasting professional relationships, open up new research perspectives, and create time and space for ideas to take shape.
As they continue to develop joint projects in the area of nutrition and mental health, their story underlines the value of investing in early and mid-career researchers who are committed not only to innovation in their fields, but also to working together across cultures and systems.
Their experience reminds us that the strongest research often begins with something simple: time together, trust, and a shared coffee.
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Short bios:
Ramona Hiltensperger is a psychologist and implementation science researcher focused on integrating non-traditional professional groups into mental health care. She has extensive experience in participatory research and mixed-methods designs. Since 2024, she has co-led initiatives at Ulm University to establish a research group on nutrition and mental health, including collaborative studies and international workshops. Her scientific work is complemented by strong science communication, teaching, and public engagement activities across academic and non-academic audiences.
Johanna Roponen is a registered dietitian and researcher completing her PhD on diet quality and depression at the University of Eastern Finland, with a focus on theory-based counseling and feasibility testing for nutrition interventions in mental health. She has led a dietary intervention for individuals with major depressive disorder and has applied service design methods in healthcare development projects. Her experience includes coordinating Horizon Europe grant applications and contributing to clinical trial protocols, positioning her as a key contributor to future EU-funded collaborations. Additionally, she is an active science communicator and a member of a policy-oriented research group, regularly engaging with international audiences and decision-maker
