Donatella de Rita’s research and publications focus on volcanology, geology, stratigraphy, and volcano-tectonic evolution of volcanic areas. Recently she has focused on urban development and the associated hazard in volcanic areas, as well as on geoarcheology. The Italian version of her book The Seven Hills of Rome, written in cooperation with colleagues, won the Premio Biblioteche di Roma in 2007. She has received grants from national and international institutions to work as a guest researcher on different aspects of explosive volcanism at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, at University of the Azores, at the Arizona State University, and at the University at Buffalo. De Rita has organized several national and international conferences, workshops, and field trips and has been invited to speak in several international congresses. She received her MA from La Sapienza University of Rome in 1976. In 1993 de Rita moved to Roma Tre University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in volcanology, introduction to volcanology, and volcanic hazards as an associate professor of volcanology and geology of volcanic areas.