Meet new Fuse Manager Agata Robertson

We are marking International Women's Day by welcoming new Fuse Manager Agata Robertson and saying thank you and farewell to Laura Ritson, who helped to establish Fuse in 2008 and has been integral to the Centre's success.

Here Agata tells us about herself, her interest in public health, and what attracted her to working with Fuse.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I am a linguist by background and have a degree in business studies. Over the last 11 years I worked across Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in different roles within a multidisciplinary team supporting translational research in neuromuscular diseases. I am passionate about anything health related and the impact of research on people and their lives.

How did you first hear about Fuse and what attracted you to role?

The first time I heard about Fuse was years ago, not long after it was launched. I was at the time working for one of the local authorities in the North East as a policy officer. One of my areas of work was health and wellbeing and I was involved in the first stages of public health integration into the local authority. The impact of public health on people is something that particularly attracted me to this role. In my previous roles, I particularly loved the translational aspect of my work where you could see the impact of the research on people’s lives. Public health is all about people and this is important to me.

When the vacancy of Fuse Centre Manager came about, I saw this as a great opportunity to put my project management skills and experience of working in research into practice and at the same time gain further knowledge about public health.

What areas of public health research are you particularly interested in?

I was involved in public health work in the past from the practitioner point of view. What I am really excited about being part of Fuse, is that I believe that it will enable me to get a more indepth understanding of various public health research aspects. From a personal perspective, I am particularly interested in early years and healthy ageing as well physical activity and prevention as a life course approach.  

Have you been involved in research before?

Yes, I have been involved in research before but not directly in a public health setting. Over the last decade, I worked in clinical research in rare neuromuscular diseases. Through my different roles, I supported translational research and its infrastructures locally, nationally and internationally. I am really looking forward to bringing what I learned in my previous roles to Fuse.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love spending time with my family and reading books. I love walking in the great outdoors.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I am delighted to have joined Fuse and I am really looking forward to meeting and working with all the people that are part of the Centre and other associated networks.

I have only started in my role this week but I have already learned a lot, which is fantastic!

I would like to thank Laura Ritson for all her guidance so far, as she is a font of knowledge when it comes to anything Fuse related. I would love to wish her all the best in her new role.

Read Laura Ritson's farewell Fuse blog post as she leaves for pastures new.

Last modified: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:45:48 GMT