Dr Laura Ross is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and leads the systemic sclerosis clinical and research programs at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. She has a research program that focusses on the causes of physical disability in systemic sclerosis, with particular emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system. She has specific expertise in the development and validation of clinical trial outcome measures. Dr Ross is recognised as an emerging global leader in systemic sclerosis research, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Victorian Premier’s Award for Health & Medical Research.