As part of EFNA’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we launched the BrainTalks Competition 2026, inviting patients, caregivers, and patient advocates from across Europe to share inspiring TEDx-style talks on the future of neurology.

We were delighted by the creativity, passion, and quality of submissions covering topics including patient empowerment, innovation, AI and digital health, equitable access to care, collaboration, and policy.

Congratulations to our winners, whose compelling ideas and personal stories showcase the strength of the neurological community and the power of patient voices to drive meaningful change. The winning speakers will present their BrainTalks live at the EFNA Conference 2026, taking place on 25–26 September, where they will share their vision with the wider European neurology community. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and thank everyone who participated in making the competition a success.

Learn more about the EFNA Conference 2026 and register to attend via this link.

 

Anastasia Pekarskaya, Belgium: “The Hidden Power of the Human Voice“

For more than 20 years, Anastasia Pekarskaya has worked at the intersection of marketing, change management and people development, leading strategic initiatives, product management, and building high-performing teams in international environments. Along the way, she has gained first-hand insight into workplace pressures and the growing impact of stress, burnout, and mental health challenges on both individual and organizational well-being.

Driven by a desire to better understand human behavior and support people more effectively, Anastasia began with leadership coaching training, which soon evolved into a deeper academic path. She is currently studying Clinical Psychology at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels.

Through her studies, Anastasia has developed a strong interest in voice-based health technologies and the potential of vocal biomarkers to support the early detection, monitoring, and treatment of mental and physical health conditions. She advocates for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, digital health, artificial intelligence, and voice science, and also supports a health-tech startup developing voice-enabled solutions for more accessible, personalized, and preventive care.

 

Carmina Amalia Crainic, Romania: “The Power of Being Seen”

Crainic Carmina Amalia is 21 years old and currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences. Since 2023, she has been an official volunteer with Children’s Joy Romania, contributing to advocacy and awareness initiatives that support individuals living with dystonia and other rare neurological conditions.

Her connection to the organization began much earlier, as she has participated in numerous activities and events organized by the association since childhood. Growing up alongside a mother diagnosed with dystonia has given her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by this condition, motivating her to actively support awareness, inclusion, and fundraising efforts.

During high school, she helped organize the “Captiv în Corpul Meu – Teen Edition” art exhibition, held to mark Rare Disease Day. She has also organized the charitable event “ART for Dystonia” and coordinated various artistic workshops and fundraising activities to support people living with dystonia.

 

Eamonn McPartlin, Ireland: “When Common Doesn’t Mean Equal: The Fight for FND Care”

Eamon McPartlin is Founder and chair of FND Ireland and Patient Advocate.

Eamon lives with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and another neurological condition Dystonia. He founded the first Irish FND charity in late 2023. Eamon has a passion for patient advocacy, education and research. He is the lived experience board member at the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

Eamon is an active Health Service Executive (HSE) patient partner and is a member of several HSE Steering and Working Groups, including the National Neurorehabilitation Workstream Groups. He is also a member of The Centre for Ireland of Clinical Evidence Reviews (CICER) PPI panel and the FND Society Patient Liaison Committee. Eamon is an experienced PPI collaborator on research projects.

 

Natalie Diana Busari, UK: “Understanding Is Power: How AI Can Give Patients Back Control”

Natalie Diana Busari is the Founder of The Nerve of My Multiple Sclerosis CIC, a UK based patient organisation dedicated to improving the lives of Black people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), NMOSD, and MOGAD.

Living with MS herself, Natalie combines lived experience, advocacy, research, and artificial intelligence to develop innovative tools that improve health literacy, patient empowerment, and health equity. Through her work, she is helping to ensure that patients are better informed, better supported, and more actively involved in their healthcare decisions.