Oliver Distler is Professor of Rheumatology and Chairman of the Department of Rheumatology at the University of Zurich. He is also heading the Center of Experimental Rheumatology of the University of Zurich. The Department of Rheumatology has been awarded a EULAR Center of Excellence in 2020 due to its scientific achievements. He has published’ over 488 primary research papers, over 41`00’0 citations and an H-Factor of 101. His research activities span from a preclinical program focusing on the characterization of key molecules and intracellular signaling cascades driving the disease process to a translational and clinical program with emphasis on precision medicine and phase 2/3 clinical trial design.