June 11, 2025

Meet Debora Rizzuto, New Director of NEAR

Effective May 2025, Debora Rizzuto took over the Directorship following Laura Fratiglioni. In addition to being an Associate Professor in Geriatric Epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet (KI), Debora has also been the Vice Director and Scientific Coordinator of NEAR since 2018. 

New NEAR Director, Debora Rizzuto. Photo: Stefan Zimmerman.

Hello Debora, and congratulations on your new position! How does it feel?
Thank you so much! It feels both exciting and a great honor to take on this role. Having been part of NEAR since 2018 as the Scientific Coordinator and Vice Director, I have had the privilege of witnessing its growth and contributing to its development. It is a natural next step to take on the Directorship, and I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation that Laura Fratiglioni established.

How do you envision your first 90 days in this role?
The first 90 days will be about continuity and transition. While I’m already familiar with the workings of NEAR, I plan to focus on deepening relationships within the organization. This means working closely with the NEAR team to ensure that we are aligned on our current priorities and long-term goals. Additionally, I will focus on enhancing collaborations with external partners, including funding agencies, research institutions, and other key stakeholders. A key area of focus will be strengthening our collaborations with Nordic research infrastructures, which will be crucial for expanding NEAR’s impact and advancing aging research in the Nordic region and internationally.

What are your long-term goals and vision for NEAR?
My long-term vision for NEAR is to continue fostering world-class research in aging, focusing on integrating new technologies, data sources, and interdisciplinary approaches. I also want NEAR to actively be part of developing statistical methods, which can be used when working with multi-center data, and when encountering common issues such as data missingness. I aim to strengthen NEAR’s position as a leading infrastructure in Nordic aging research by expanding collaborations within the Nordic region and globally. This includes improving access to the data and resources available through NEAR, so that researchers can make meaningful contributions to our understanding of aging and age-related diseases.

What do you believe are the essential qualities of a successful Director of NEAR?
A successful Director of NEAR needs to be visionary and collaborative, able to see the bigger picture while focusing on the organization’s day-to-day needs. Effective communication, the ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and an understanding of the strategic importance of aging research are key. Also, having a strong scientific background, as well as a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, is essential for driving NEAR’s continued success.

Being active both as a researcher, supervisor, course-leader, and Director, how do you wind down from work?
Maintaining balance is important to me. One of the ways I unwind is through CrossFit, which is a real passion of mine. It provides both a mental and physical reset, allowing me to push my limits and clear my mind. Besides CrossFit, I enjoy spending time outdoors and relaxing with family and friends. Taking time for myself is essential to staying grounded and maintaining the energy needed for my professional responsibilities.