Leonardi Matilde

Title(s): Neurologist, Paediatrician, Child Neurologist, Neonatologist

Current Position/Designation: MD Neurologist, Paediatrician, Child Neurologist, Neonatologist

Director Neurology, Public Health, Disability Unit &Coma Research Centre Scientific Department 

Institutional Affiliation: Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta

Active Email Address: matilde.leonardi@istituto-besta.it 

Telephone Number: +39 02 23942511

Matilde Leonardi, M.D., is the Director of Neurology, Public Health, and Disability Unit and Coma Research Centre, and is Director Italian of the WHO Collaborating Centre-Research Branch- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy. Leonardi is also a Neurologist, Pediatrician, Neonatologist, and Child neurologist, and specializes in Bioethics.

Relevant Professional Skills/Experiences

Her activity in the field of disorders of consciousness allows her team to have one of the worldwide largest epidemiological database on this type of patients. She is a WHO expert on disability and ageing, co-chair of the WHO-FIC (Family of International Classifications) Functioning and Disability Reference Group- FDRG and Director of the Italian WHO Collaborating Centre Research Branch. Co-ordinator and partner of several, EU- and non EU-funded research projects. Since 2001 and she has been coordinator of EU Projects in FP6, FP7, Horizon2020: MHADIE, MURINET, COURAGE in EUROPE, PATHWAYS and partner in PARADISE, MARATONE ATHLOS, CHRODIS Plus, EMPOWER. Dr. Leonardi is consultant on public health, UNCRPD monitoring and disability policy development for several European and extra European Governments. Expert for the European Commission on public health, ageing, disability and neurosciences. Professor on annual contracts of Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Disability.

Relevant Career Highlights

Leonardi is a WFNR Presidium member, WFNR Flying Faculty, One Neurology Ambassador, EAN Chair Communication Committee and Board member, FEAN Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology. WFN Board member of Advocacy, EFRR board member, WHO expert on disability and neurology. Co-chair WHO NeuroCovid Forum–essential neurological services Group and member of Neuro Covid Global Research Coalition. Leonardi is a Corresponding member of the Pontificia Academia Pro Vita and sits on the Board of Directors of the Bioethics Centre at the Catholic University of Milan.

Leonardi was nominated by Italian Government as Member of National Bioethics Committee in 2022, was an elected Board Member of the National Neurology Society in October 2023, and was elected by EFRR European Federation Research in Rehabilitation in November 2023.