Heinz Wiendl

Heinz Wiendl is Professor of Neurology and Chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg (since October 2024). His work focuses on neuroimmunology, addressing immune regulation in multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders of the nervous system, as well as inflammatory mechanisms driving neurodegeneration.

His key research interests include: (i) development and optimization of neurological immune therapies, (ii) identification of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers and biosignatures, and (iii) mechanistic understanding of disease progression driven by immune-mediated processes 

He studied medicine in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, followed by research training at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology. He completed his clinical and academic training in neurology at the University of Tübingen. He subsequently held professorships in Würzburg and Münster, where he served as Chair of Neurology from 2013 to 2024.

Prof. Wiendl is a leading figure in national and international neuroimmunology. He was a longstanding speaker of the German Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis (KKNMS) and the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center TR128 “Multiple Sclerosis. He currently serves as President of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (ISNI). He is serving in various steering committees for clinical trials in neuroimmunology and contributed to the development of therapeutics in neuroimmunology (e.g. Teriflunomide, Ofatumumab, Daclizumab, btk inhibitors). 

His work is reflected in more than 800 peer-reviewed publications and major contributions also to clinical guidelines in neuroimmunological diseases.