Professor Olga Ciccarelli succeeds Professor Bruno Stankoff as President, while Professor Cristina Granziera transitions to Vice-President, alongside new appointments to the Executive Committee.
BASEL, Switzerland, 3 November 2026 – The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) has announced changes to its Executive Committee following the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting (MSToronto2026), held in Toronto, Canada, from 20–23 October 2026.
Professor Olga Ciccarelli has been elected President of ECTRIMS for the 2026–2028 term, succeeding Professor Bruno Stankoff, who transitions to the role of Past President. Professor Cristina Granziera, who previously served as Treasurer, has assumed the role of Vice-President.
The leadership transitions coincide with the appointment of new Executive Committee members and changes to existing roles, bringing together continuity of experience and fresh perspectives to guide the organisation over the next two years.
Professor Olga Ciccarelli Takes Office as ECTRIMS President
Professor Olga Ciccarelli, of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, takes on the presidency at an important time for ECTRIMS, as the organisation continues to expand its scientific, educational and collaborative activities across the international multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuroimmunology communities.
In her remarks at the closing ceremony of MSToronto2026, Professor Ciccarelli acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor and reflected on the organisation’s future.
“Our organisation was built to advance research, treatment and collaboration in multiple sclerosis. For decades, our Annual Congress has been one of the clearest expressions of that mission — the place where the global MS community comes together to exchange science, challenge ideas and build the collaborations that move our field forward.”
Professor Ciccarelli also highlighted the importance of international collaboration, connecting expertise across borders and bringing together scientific research, clinical practice and the experiences of people living with MS.
Joining her in the leadership team is Professor Cristina Granziera, of University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, who moves from her previous role as Treasurer to Vice-President for the 2026–2028 term.
Together, they will help guide ECTRIMS’ strategic priorities, supporting its mission to advance scientific discovery, education and international collaboration in MS and related disorders.
Recognising the Leadership of Professor Bruno Stankoff
Professor Bruno Stankoff, of Sorbonne University, Paris, concludes his two-year presidency and continues to serve ECTRIMS as Past President.
During his 2024–2026 term, ECTRIMS broadened its year-round activities, strengthened its engagement with related neuroimmunological diseases, expanded support and training opportunities for early-career researchers, and developed partnerships with sister societies and organisations internationally.
An important focus of his presidency was also strengthening the role of people living with MS and ensuring that patient perspectives remain central to the organisation’s work.
Reflecting on his presidency during the MSToronto2026 closing ceremony, Professor Stankoff expressed his appreciation for the ECTRIMS community and the progress achieved together.
“For the past two years, it has been the greatest privilege to serve as President of ECTRIMS. I have seen first-hand the extraordinary commitment of the people who make up this organisation — and the ambition of a community never satisfied to accept MS as it is today.”
He also expressed his confidence in the organisation’s future under Professor Ciccarelli’s leadership, highlighting the importance of strengthening international partnerships, advancing science and bringing the community closer to its shared ambition of a world free from MS.
New Appointments to the Executive Committee
The ECTRIMS Council of Members has appointed three new members to the Executive Committee:
- Professor Laura Airas – Turku University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Finland.
- Professor Fredrik Piehl – Karolinska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Department of Neurology, Sweden.
- Professor Aksel Siva – Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit and MS Clinic, Türkiye.
In addition, Professor Frauke Zipp, of the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, and Professor Jaume Sastre-Garriga, of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and the Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat), Spain, have taken up new roles within the Executive Committee.
These appointments bring together a broad range of scientific expertise, clinical experience and international perspectives to support the continued development of ECTRIMS and its activities.
ECTRIMS Thanks Outgoing Executive Committee Members
ECTRIMS extends its sincere appreciation to Professor Matilde Inglese, of the University of Genoa, Italy, and Professor Gabriel Bsteh, of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, as they conclude their terms on the Executive Committee.
Both have made important contributions to ECTRIMS through their expertise, commitment and active involvement in supporting the organisation’s scientific, educational and strategic activities.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening ECTRIMS’ Global Mission
The new leadership term begins as ECTRIMS continues to strengthen its role as an international platform for scientific exchange, education and collaboration.
Building on the progress of recent years, the organisation will continue to connect clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals and the wider MS community, creating opportunities to share knowledge and advance research and care.
An important part of this next chapter will be ECTRIMS Global 2027, taking place in Vienna, Austria, from 5–8 October 2027. Bringing together the Annual Congress, a dedicated Pre-Day programme addressing NMOSD, MOGAD and wider neuroimmunology, and Patient Community Day, ECTRIMS Global reflects the organisation’s commitment to connecting scientific progress with clinical practice and lived experience.
Under its new leadership, ECTRIMS will continue to build international partnerships, support the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals, and advance its shared mission of improving outcomes for people affected by MS and related disorders.
About ECTRIMS
The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related disorders. Through scientific exchange, education and international collaboration, ECTRIMS brings together researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals to improve the lives of people affected by MS.
