SIG Meetings during 30th RiMS Congress
During the 30th RiMS Congress taking place in Barcelona and in parallel, multiple SIG lectures and meetings will be taking place, providing a platform for deep discussion, project development, and peer learning.
Speakers
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Blanca De Dios Perez
Researcher at the University of Nottingham focusing on vocational rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis. Background in psychology and neuropsychology, with expertise in workplace inclusion and job retention. Awarded an Early Career Fellowship by the UK MS Society and leads international projects on MS rehabilitation outcomes. She is also Chair of RIMS SIG Mood & Cognition. -
Carla Kloet
Multiple sclerosis nurse consultant at St. Antonius Hospital in the Netherlands. Provides guidance, education, and support to people living with multiple sclerosis. Brings extensive nursing experience with a strong focus on patient-centered care and quality of life. -
Hans Bogaardt
Associate Professor of Speech Pathology at Monash University, Australia. Specializes in swallowing and communication disorders in neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis. Dedicated to advancing evidence-based interventions that improve rehabilitation and quality of life. He is also Co-Chair of RIMS SIG Communication & Swallowing. -
Inger Grethe Løyning
Research and Development Leader at the MS Center Hakadal in Norway. Experienced occupational therapist with a focus on fatigue management and everyday participation in MS. Chairs the RIMS Special Interest Group on Occupation, contributing internationally to rehabilitation practice. She is also Chair of RIMS SIG Occupation. -
Jalesh Panicker
Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, and Reader in Uro-Neurology at UCL. Internationally recognized expert in bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction in neurological disorders, leading pioneering multidisciplinary services for people with MS and related conditions. -
Jessica Podda
Researcher at the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in Genoa, with a PhD in Bioengineering and Robotics. Her work focuses on cognitive and emotional processes in people with MS, including studies of cognitive fatigue, motor imagery, and patient-reported outcomes. She has co-developed tools such as an app for cognitive assessment and contributed to studies defining cognitive phenotypes in MS. She is also Co-Chair of SIG Mood & Cognition. -
Klaus Krogh
Clinical Professor in Hepatology and Gastroenterology at Aarhus University, Denmark, specializing in neurogastroenterological issues in neurological conditions like MS and spinal cord injury. His research addresses neurogenic bowel dysfunction, fecal incontinence, constipation, and treatment approaches including sacral nerve stimulation. -
Leena Maria Heikkola
Professor (UiT, Norway) & Associate Professor (Åbo Akademi, Finland) in Speech-Language Pathology. Leads work on cognitive fatigue and language skills in MS, with interests in neuro- and psycholinguistics, interfaces between music & language, and how linguistic and cognitive processes are affected in MS. She is also Chair of the SIG Communication & Swallowing. -
Marcia Finlayson
Occupational therapist and researcher based at Queen’s University in Canada, with over two decades of work aimed at improving the daily lives of people with MS and their caregivers. Her research spans self-management programs, access to rehabilitation and wellness services, and evaluating how rehabilitation can reduce disparities in outcomes. -
Noreen Barker
MS Consultant Nurse at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery (NHNN), London, with more than 20 years’ experience. Initially trained in continence and urology, since 2008 has worked in MS care across community and acute settings, leading MS clinical nurse specialist teams. Passionate about improving self-management, multidisciplinary care, and equitable access to services. -
Vicky Leavitt
Clinical neuropsychologist and researcher at Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian, with a focus on cognitive impairment and non-cognitive changes in people with MS. Studies how lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, exercise, social support) influence cognition, and develops new tools for measuring cognitive change. Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer of eSupport Health, offering virtual peer-support groups for people living with MS.