Professor Volker Dietz is a world-renowned neuroscientist and pioneering authority in spinal cord injury research and neurorehabilitation. He currently serves as Senior Scientist at the Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, a position he has held since 2009. Dr. Dietz completed his medical training and specialization in neurology and neurophysiology at the University of Freiburg, Germany, where he established the foundation for his distinguished research career. From 1992 to 2009, he served as Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Center and Chair of Paraplegiology at the University of Zurich, establishing the first chair in Paraplegiology in Europe and shaping the field's academic framework. His earlier career included significant contributions as a Senior Neurologist at the University of Freiburg from 1975 to 1992, where he began his investigations into motor control mechanisms.
Professor Dietz's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of human motor control and movement disorders, particularly in spinal cord injury patients. He established a novel pathophysiological basis for spastic movement disorders, revealing critical discrepancies between clinical presentations of spasticity and actual movement disorders with profound therapeutic implications. His collaborative work with Martin Schwab from the Brain Research Institute and Novartis successfully translated basic research on Nogo A antibodies from animal studies to human clinical applications, pioneering new approaches to spinal cord injury treatment. Together with engineer Gery Colombo, he developed innovative robotic devices for neurorehabilitation, most notably the 'Lokomat', which has revolutionized gait training for patients with neurological impairments. With over 286 peer-reviewed publications, his work has provided the scientific foundation for numerous clinical interventions and rehabilitation technologies used worldwide.
Professor Dietz has been instrumental in building international research infrastructure through founding the European Network of Paraplegic Centers (EMSCI), which has established standardized assessments for spinal cord injury research across Europe. His leadership extends to editorial roles, including co-editing the seminal Handbook on Neurorehabilitation Technology published in 2012, which has become a key reference in the field. As a dedicated mentor, he has advised numerous students and researchers, shaping the next generation of neuroscientists and rehabilitation specialists. His work continues to influence both clinical practice and research directions, with ongoing investigations into neuronal function following spinal cord injury and the development of regeneration-inducing therapies. Professor Dietz's legacy as a translational scientist bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, ensuring that scientific advances directly benefit patients with movement disorders.
