As touchNEUROLOGY continues its mission to deliver concise, expert-led content for busy clinicians, we’re proud to turn the spotlight toward the future of the field.
In our inaugural touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders 2025 campaign, we celebrate the next generation of neurologists, rising stars shaping the future of clinical practice, research, and education across neurological specialties.
Nominated by our Editorial Board and faculty contributors, these individuals represent a diverse and dynamic cohort of early-career neurologists whose passion, innovation, and leadership are already making an impact. In exclusive interviews, they share their career journeys, inspirations, and the breakthroughs they’re most excited about, from neurogenetics to digital diagnostics, brain health equity, and beyond.
Join us in recognizing these outstanding professionals and exploring what drives them to push the boundaries of neurology.
Congratulations to our touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders, and thank you for inspiring the community with your vision, dedication, and insight.
Hannah Critchlow
Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
“Your brain thrives on connection; meeting people, interacting and sharing ideas is vital for not only your individual brain health but also our species survival.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Critchlow here
Björn Thorarinsson
Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
“I learned from my father that there are no shortcuts, it is a balance of flexibility, persistence and resilience, demanding that one shall be no less comfortable with challenges than with reaching goals.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Thorarinsson here
Antonio Ciacciarelli
Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Rome, Italy
“Beyond clinical care and research, we also have the responsibility, and the privilege, to support and inspire the next generation. And that may be the most meaningful impact of all.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Ciacciarelli here
Bardia Nourbakhsh
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
“Seeing the remarkable progress in MS therapies over the past three decades convinced me that this is a field where rigorous science can rapidly change lives.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Nourbakhsh here
Anna Laure
Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
“I have learned to value meeting patients where they are, listening with empathy, and offering structure, which can build trust, strengthen compliance, and improve outcomes.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Laure here
Bedia Samanci
Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
“I want to help build bridges: between disciplines, between clinic and lab, between human and machine, and between neurologists and society.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Samanci here
Monisha Ravikumar
Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
“My mentors helped me connect clinical practice with broader systems, linking sleep to environmental determinants of health, or considering how cultural and social factors shape research.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Ravikumar here
Sonu Bhaskar
Global Health Neurology Lab and NSW Brain Clot Bank, New South Wales, Australia
“My mission is to educate and empower the next generation of physicians, neurologists and researchers. Reminding them that, regardless of where they come from, they have the power to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Bhaskar here
Ellis van Etten
Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
“The most exciting development for me is the growing potential to find a treatment for cerebral amyloid angiopathy, with several possible treatment targets now being identified.”
Read our Q&A with Dr van Etten here
Alexander Lisinski
Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
“I often think about my most successful interventions with different types of drugs; it is great to find out that some reasoning and a prescription has helped someone turn their life around.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Lisinski here
Antonella Macerollo
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
“One impact of my work is addressing health inequalities by improving access to neuromodulation services and mapping where gaps in care exist.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Macerollo here
Riley Bove
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
“In MS, pioneers have passed scientific batons for me to run with, mentors taught me specific skills, and sponsors guided me forward in my career.”
Read our Q&A with Dr Bove here
Opening soon!
Nominations for touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders 2026
We are excited to announce that nominations for the touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders 2026 will open soon, and we invite the neurology community to share their suggestions for exceptional individuals who are shaping the future of the field through innovation and excellence in patient care.
Register below to hear about nominations as soon as they open!
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