Webinars

Scientific topics

Autoimmune skin diseases involve more than immune dysfunction—they disrupt tissue structure through early and persistent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. This webinar examines the ECM’s central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune conditions affecting both skin and joints, with a focus on systemic sclerosis and lupus.

Systemic sclerosis is characterized by immune dysregulation, vascular abnormalities, and progressive fibrosis, driven by activated fibroblasts and sustained pro-fibrotic signaling that lead to excessive ECM deposition and multi-organ involvement. In lupus, widespread inflammation and immune-mediated tissue damage also intersect with ECM remodeling, contributing to disease heterogeneity and long-term complications.

By exploring shared inflammatory and fibrotic pathways across these diseases, we highlight recent advances in targeted therapies designed to interrupt ECM-driven pathology and improve disease management.

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Prof. Dr. Dinesh Khanna

• Prof. Dr. Dinesh Khanna is a leading expert in scleroderma and related conditions, with an H-index of 107, i10-index of 485, and over 64,000 citations.
• He directs a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, and researchers focused on advancing understanding and treatment of scleroderma.
• His research includes the development of novel patient-reported outcome measures for scleroderma and various joint diseases.
• Dr. Khanna has extensive expertise in clinical trial design for evaluating new treatments in scleroderma.
• He plays a key role in leading international initiatives to establish management guidelines for scleroderma and gout.
• His work bridges patient-centered research with evidence-based clinical practice.
• Dr. Khanna is recognized globally for shaping therapeutic strategies in rare autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
• He is committed to improving quality of life and outcomes for patients through innovative research and clinical care.
• His leadership fosters strong collaborations between academia, clinical medicine, and patient advocacy groups.
• Dr. Khanna’s contributions have positioned him as a driving force in rheumatology and systemic autoimmune disease research.

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Prof. Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg

• Prof. Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg is a physician-scientist and Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan.
• She has an H-index of 47, i10-index of 103, and over 8,600 citations.
• Her clinical expertise focuses on managing complex lupus cases, particularly those with refractory skin disease.
• Dr. Kahlenberg’s research investigates pathogenic mechanisms in cutaneous lupus, drivers of photosensitivity, and the links between skin inflammation and systemic lupus activity.
• She integrates clinical insight with laboratory research to advance understanding and treatment of lupus.
• Her work has earned recognition from the Arthritis National Research Foundation, the Rheumatology Research Foundation, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Lupus Foundation of America.
• She is committed to developing targeted therapeutic strategies for lupus patients with challenging skin manifestations.
• Dr. Kahlenberg’s research contributes to a deeper understanding of how localized skin disease can impact systemic autoimmune activity.
• She is a leader in translational lupus research, bridging patient care and mechanistic discovery.
• Her work continues to shape the future of precision medicine in lupus care.

Dr. Christina Merz-Stoeckle

• Dr. Christina Merz-Stöckle is a Senior Principal Scientist at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) with over 25 years of experience in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

• She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford and a PhD from the University of Tübingen, specializing in autoimmune diseases.

• During her academic training, she served as Speaker of the Graduate School, highlighting her leadership and communication skills.

• At Novartis, she is Head of Lab and Project Team Lead in Autoimmunity, Transplantation, and Inflammation.

• Her work focuses on identifying and validating drug targets in pre-clinical and early-stage drug development.

• Dr. Merz-Stöckle is known for effectively bridging discovery research with translational applications in drug development.

• She has authored numerous scientific publications, with an H-index of 20 and more than 1,000 citations.

• She is widely recognized for her expertise, leadership, and contributions to advancing therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.