World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Miia Kivipelto, MD, PhD is joining the Yale School of Nursing (YSN) faculty as the Rodman Family endowed professor of gerontology. She will also be leading YSN’s innovative new Center for Aging Well, set to open its doors later this year.
“The launch of the Center for Aging Well and Dr. Kivipelto’s appointment are a milestone for YSN and the broader research community involved in cognitive health and aging,” said YSN Dean Azita Emami. “Her pioneering research, organizational acumen, and commitment to global collaboration align perfectly with our mission of enhancing health and wellness across the lifespan. With her at the helm of the Center for Aging Well, we are poised to become a global leader for research on cognitive health.”
Among her numerous achievements, Dr. Kivipelto was the principal investigator on the first randomized controlled study to show the possibility of reducing cognitive decline among older, at-risk adults using a combination of lifestyle interventions including diet, exercise, cognitive training, social stimulation, and vascular risk management.
Dr. Kivipelto’s landmark research has resulted in more than 400 publications in the leading global journals of neurology and related areas of scientific inquiry. She now oversees a growing 70-nation collaboration of researchers who are replicating and extending her initial dementia prevention research globally—this research will now have a center at YSN.
“In addition to my extensive background in geriatrics and dementia research, I have recently begun partnering with the YSN team to develop courses in precision wellness and longevity,” said Dr. Kivipelto. “These courses will lay the foundation for a future YSN precision wellness certificate program, leveraging my expertise to create innovative educational offerings that benefit the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
As an unrivaled hub dedicated to optimal aging, the Center for Aging Well will bring together the brightest minds in interdisciplinary research–from nursing to biology, psychology, genetics, and public health–to transcend traditional healthcare silos. The Center will work closely with organizations in New Haven and surrounding communities to bring knowledge about prevention to those living with and at-risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to her role at YSN, Dr. Kivipelto will hold a secondary appointment as professor of geriatric medicine at Yale School of Medicine.