Steering Committee
Professor Francesco Del Galdo
Professor of Experimental Medicine
University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Professor Francesco Del Galdo is a Professor of Experimental Medicine at the University of Leeds and a Consultant Rheumatologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Renowned for his expertise in systemic sclerosis, he founded the Scleroderma Research Programme within the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine in 2009, emphasizing patient-centered, multidisciplinary research.
Professor Del Galdo earned his medical degree in Italy in 1999, specializing in Immunology with a focus on autoimmune and connective tissue diseases in 2003. He later completed a PhD and postdoctoral fellowship at the Scleroderma Center of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he also served as Associate Director. His early work contributed to understanding systemic sclerosis pathogenesis, including identifying Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 and creating a novel fibrosis model.
In Leeds, he has secured over £3 million in research funding and pioneered Optical Coherence Tomography as a virtual skin biopsy. He is also recognized for advancing serum biomarkers for early diagnosis in scleroderma and leading a national cohort for scleroderma prevention.
Professor Del Galdo is a member of key organizations, including EUSTAR and the World Scleroderma Congress, and has published over a hundred scientific articles. His research focuses on immunopathogenesis, biomarkers, outcome measures, and clinical trial design.
Professor Yannick Allanore
Professor of Rheumatology
Université Paris Descartes, France
Professor Yannick Allanore is a leading expert in rheumatology, specializing in systemic sclerosis and connective tissue diseases. He serves as a Professor of Rheumatology at Université Paris Descartes and is a permanent researcher at Institut Cochin, a collaborative research centre affiliated with CNRS and Inserm.
Professor Allanore earned his medical degree and completed his specialization in rheumatology in France. He has been instrumental in advancing research on systemic sclerosis, focusing on its pathogenesis and the development of innovative therapies. His work includes genetic and genomic studies aimed at identifying new therapeutic targets for this complex autoimmune disease. His research interests encompass the immunopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, identification and validation of biomarkers, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. He has authored numerous publications in esteemed scientific journals, contributing significantly to the understanding and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Professor Allanore is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the French Society of Rheumatology. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field, reflecting his commitment to advancing rheumatology both nationally and internationally.
Professor Shervin Assassi
Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Rheumatology
McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Dr. Shervin Assassi is a Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Division of Rheumatology at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). He also co-directs the Scleroderma Program at McGovern Medical School, which includes one of the largest specialized scleroderma clinics in the United States.
Dr. Assassi earned his medical degree from Albert Ludwig Medical School in Freiburg, Germany. He completed his internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at UTHealth Houston, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and received a Clinical Investigator Fellowship Award from the American College of Rheumatology.
His research focuses on the correlation of clinical features of systemic sclerosis with genetic and gene expression data to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop clinically useful biomarkers. His laboratory works with mouse fibrosis models and primary human samples to elucidate the molecular basis of systemic sclerosis. He has co-authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications in this area.
Dr. Assassi is actively involved in several professional organizations. He has served on the Committee on Research and the Annual Meeting Planning Committee of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). In 2019, he was appointed Chair of the ACR Committee on Journal Publications.
Professor Christopher Denton
Professor of Experimental Rheumatology
UCL Medical School, London, UK
Professor Christopher Denton is a leading expert in experimental rheumatology, specializing in systemic sclerosis and related connective tissue diseases. He serves as a Professor of Experimental Rheumatology at University College London (UCL) Medical School and as a Consultant Rheumatologist and Head of the Centre for Rheumatology at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
Professor Denton earned his medical degree from Guy’s Hospital in London and completed his PhD at UCL. He trained in rheumatology and connective tissue diseases at the Royal Free Hospital, where he now leads a comprehensive clinical program in scleroderma, coordinating multidisciplinary care for over 1,400 patients.
His research focuses on the pathogenesis and treatment of systemic sclerosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and pulmonary hypertension. He has published extensively on laboratory and clinical aspects of these conditions and has co-edited a major textbook on scleroderma.
Professor Denton holds several prominent positions, including leadership roles in the UK Scleroderma Study Group (UKSSG) and the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR). He has also chaired the Heberden Scientific Committee of the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR).
In recognition of his contributions to medical science, Professor Denton was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in May 2024.
Professor Oliver Distler
Professor of Rheumatology
University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Professor Oliver Distler is a leading expert in rheumatology, serving as the Director of the Department of Rheumatology at the University Hospital Zurich and as a Professor at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. His clinical and research expertise focuses on systemic sclerosis, fibrosis, and interstitial lung diseases associated with connective tissue disorders.
Professor Distler earned his medical degree from the University of Erlangen in Germany in 1997. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Bamberg Hospital and his residency and fellowship at the University Hospital of Regensburg, both in Germany. He then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center of Experimental Rheumatology at the University of Zurich, where he later became a senior attending physician and director of the Scleroderma Program.
His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, the validation of biomarkers, the identification and characterization of animal models, and the design of proof-of-concept and phase 2/3 clinical trials. He has authored over 250 scientific publications in these areas.
Professor Distler has held several prominent positions, including Chair of the Executive Committee of the Foundation for Research in Rheumatology (FOREUM) and Co-Chair of the European Respiratory Society (ERS)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) guidelines. He is also a member of the scientific evaluation board of the Pfizer Research Foundation and the Foundation Board of the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases (SCQM).
His contributions to rheumatology have been recognized with numerous awards, and he is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Walter-Siegenthaler Society for Advances in Internal Medicine and the Swiss Society of Rheumatology.
Professor Monique Hinchcliff
Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology)
The Yale Rheumatology Clinical & Translational Research Laboratory, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conneticut
Dr. Monique Hinchcliff is an Associate Professor of Medicine specializing in Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology at Yale School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, and leads the Yale Scleroderma Program.
Dr. Hinchcliff earned her medical degree from Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School in 2001. She completed her residency at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut, followed by a rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, where she also obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation in 2010.
Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications. She leads clinical, interventional, and observational studies to better understand systemic sclerosis and to identify new and repurposed treatments for patients with this condition.
Dr. Hinchcliff has been recognized for her contributions to medicine, being named a "Top Doctor" by Connecticut Magazine from 2019 through 2024. She also received the Scleroderma Center of Excellence designation from the Scleroderma Foundation in 2019.
Professor Dinesh Khanna
Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Professor Dinesh Khanna is a distinguished rheumatologist specializing in systemic sclerosis and related connective tissue diseases. He holds the Frederick G. L. Huetwell Professorship in Rheumatology and serves as a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. Additionally, he directs the University of Michigan Scleroderma Program, a multidisciplinary group dedicated to advancing research and improving patient care for scleroderma and its complications.
Dr. Khanna earned his medical degree from the University College of Medical Sciences in Delhi, India, in 1996. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Wright State University and a fellowship in rheumatology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Research from UCLA.
His research focuses on developing patient-reported outcome measures for scleroderma and other joint diseases, as well as designing clinical trials to evaluate new treatments for scleroderma. He leads international efforts to develop guidelines for managing scleroderma and gout.
Dr. Khanna has authored over 400 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American College of Rheumatology and the Scleroderma Foundation. His contributions to rheumatology have been recognized with numerous awards, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field.
Professor Masataka Kuwana
Professor of Allergy and Rheumatology
Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
Professor Masataka Kuwana is a distinguished expert in allergy and rheumatology, serving as a Professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan. He also leads the Department of Allergy and Rheumatology at the university's Graduate School of Medicine. His clinical and research expertise encompasses systemic sclerosis, interstitial lung disease, and autoimmune disorders.
Professor Kuwana earned his medical degree from Keio University School of Medicine in 1988 and completed his Ph.D. in 1992. He has held various academic positions, including roles at Keio University and Nippon Medical School, where he has been instrumental in advancing research and clinical practice in rheumatology.
His research focuses on the immunopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, identification and validation of biomarkers, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. He has authored numerous publications in esteemed scientific journals, contributing significantly to the understanding and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Professor Kuwana is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and the Japanese Society of Rheumatology. He has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field, reflecting his commitment to advancing rheumatology both nationally and internationally.
Professor Eun Bong Lee
Professor of Medicine
Seoul National University College of Medicine, South Korea
Professor Eun Bong Lee is a distinguished expert in rheumatology, serving as a Professor of Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine and as a Consultant Rheumatologist at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea. His clinical and research expertise encompasses rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, systemic sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases.
Professor Lee earned his M.D. in 1990 and his Ph.D. in 2000, both from Seoul National University College of Medicine.
He has significantly contributed to the field of rheumatology, with research interests focusing on the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, identification and validation of biomarkers, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Professor Marco Matucci-Cerinic
Professor of Rheumatology
University of Florence, Italy
Professor Marco Matucci-Cerinic is a distinguished rheumatologist specializing in systemic sclerosis and connective tissue diseases. He serves as a Full Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Florence and is the Director of the Division of Rheumatology at Careggi University Hospital in Florence, Italy.
Professor Matucci-Cerinic earned his medical degree from the University of Florence in 1980, followed by specialization in Rheumatology at the University of Genoa in 1984. He completed his PhD in Experimental Rheumatology at the University of Siena in 1987.
His research focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of systemic sclerosis, spondyloarthritis, and osteoarthritis. He has authored over 1,000 scientific publications in these areas.
Professor Matucci-Cerinic has held several prominent positions, including General Secretary of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and Chairman of the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR). He currently serves as Chairman of the World Scleroderma Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Scleroderma & Related Disorders.
His contributions to rheumatology have been recognized with numerous awards, and he is a member of several professional organizations, including the Royal College of Physicians, the American College of Rheumatology, and the Italian Society of Rheumatology.
Professor Zsuzsannah McMahan
Associate Professor of Medicine
McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Dr. Zsuzsanna H. McMahan is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). She co-directs the Scleroderma Program, one of the largest scleroderma clinical and research programs globally.
Dr. McMahan earned her medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in 2006. She completed her internal medicine residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and a rheumatology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In 2011, she obtained a Master of Health Science from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and was on faculty at Johns Hopkins in the Scleroderma Center from 2012-2023.
Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, particularly its gastrointestinal complications. She has led studies to define distinct gastrointestinal subsets among scleroderma patients and identified novel autoantibodies associated with these subsets. Her work is funded by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.
Dr. McMahan co-leads the Gastrointestinal Working Group for the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium and the GI ad hoc committee for the World Scleroderma Foundation. She has been actively involved with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for over a decade, serving on several committees and the Board of Directors. She currently chairs the ACR Committee on Finance.
Professor Janet Pope
Professor of Medicine
University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada
Professor Janet Pope is a distinguished rheumatologist specializing in systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She serves as a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Western Ontario's Schulich School of Medicine in London, Ontario, Canada. Additionally, she is the Division Head of Rheumatology at St. Joseph's Health Centre in London.
Dr. Pope earned her medical degree and completed her Fellowship in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of Western Ontario. She also holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.
Her research focuses on clinical trials, epidemiology, and outcome measurements in rheumatic diseases, with a particular emphasis on systemic sclerosis and SLE. She has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles, 15 book chapters, and more than 700 abstracts.
Dr. Pope is actively involved in several professional organizations. She is the Vice Chair of the Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes in SLE (CaNIOS), a founding member of the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG), and a member of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium (SCTC).
Her contributions to rheumatology have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Canadian Rheumatology Association, the Rheumatologist of the Year from the Ontario Rheumatology Association, and the Dean’s Award of Excellence in Research. She has also been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Professor Vanessa Smith
Professor of Rheumatology
Ghent University, Belgium
Professor Vanessa Smith is a Professor of Rheumatology at Ghent University and Head of Clinics at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium. She leads the Scleroderma Unit and is Chair of the Flemish network on rare connective tissue diseases.
Professor Smith earned her medical degree and PhD from Ghent University. In 2011, she became Head of Clinics at Ghent University Hospital, and in 2024, she was appointed full Professor of Rheumatology at Ghent University. Her research centres on systemic sclerosis, microcirculation, and capillaroscopy. She has significantly contributed to understanding these areas, co-authoring numerous publications and book chapters.
Professor Smith is actively involved in several professional organizations. Since 2016, she has been a member of the Steering Committee of the European Reference Network on Rare Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) and serves as the coordinator for systemic sclerosis within the network. Within ReCONNET she is national contact point for health authorities. She also chairs the EULAR Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases and is an organizing and scientific board member of the EULAR courses on capillaroscopy.
Her contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the Belgian Cristina Pivetta Prize in 2011 for her work on treatment strategies and diagnostic algorithms for systemic sclerosis. She has also received grants from the Research Foundation – Flanders for her research on capillaroscopy and systemic sclerosis
Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles, California
Dr. Elizabeth R. Volkmann is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in rheumatology with a focus on systemic sclerosis and interstitial lung disease. She serves as the Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Program and is the founder and Co-Director of the UCLA Connective Tissue Disease-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Program.
Dr. Volkmann earned her medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in 2008. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Rheumatology at UCLA, participating in the Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program, through which she obtained a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research.
Her research focuses on developing personalized treatment approaches for patients through the discovery of novel biomarkers. She led the first study to investigate the gut microbiome in patients with systemic sclerosis and now leads an international consortium of investigators dedicated to understanding how the gut microbiome contributes to inflammation and clinical symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Dr. Volkmann is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Rheumatology and the Scleroderma Foundation. She has authored numerous publications in esteemed scientific journals and has been recognized for her contributions to the field, including being named Doctor of the Year by the National Scleroderma Foundation in 2022.
