Dr Sumelahti obtained her neurology specialist degree at Tampere University, Finland, in 1998. Her research interest in MS has been focused on epidemiology, genetics and health economics. She defended her doctoral thesis, ‘Occurrence and natural course of multiple sclerosis in Finland’, in 2002, and her research work in MS epidemiology has continued since.

She worked as a senior clinical lecturer at Tampere University from 2008 to 2010, after which she has continued to pursue research and additionally supervises doctoral theses. She has completed a degree in cognitive therapy and has a Special Competence in medical education.

Clinically, Dr Sumelahti’s interests have focused on MS treatments and rehabilitation. She has been a principal investigator in several randomized medical trials in MS, has been active as a medical advisor in advisory groups, and is an educator and lecturer in her field. She is a board member of the Finnish MS Foundation.