Mr. Zvezdan Pirtošek (Slovenia) assumed his role as Independent Expert in May 2026. He is a Professor of Neurology, senior clinical neurologist, and head of clinical and academic activities in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ljubljana. A Doctor of Medicine and certified neurologist – with more than four decades of experience specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive disorders, and dementia – his professional work spans neurology, neuroethics, and cognitive neuroscience, and is grounded in multidisciplinary clinical practice integrating medical, psychological, and social dimensions of ageing.

Mr. Pirtošek is widely engaged in national and international initiatives on ageing, long-term care, and brain health, and is an active contributor to the professional education of healthcare workers, as well as scientific conferences and public discourse in these areas. His work addresses ageism, stigma, dignity, autonomy, and ethical questions related to ageing and neurodegenerative conditions. He holds leadership roles in both academic and civil society institutions, including as President of Slovenska matica, the oldest cultural and scientific association in Slovenia, and President of Trepetlika, Slovenia’s Parkinson’s disease association. His working languages include English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Slovenian, and Serbo-Croatian.