Textbook of Pediatric Rheumatology, 9th Edition

Ross E. Petty

Canadian pediatric rheumatologist. Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and a pediatric rheumatologist at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. Established Canada’s first formal pediatric rheumatology program at the University of Manitoba in 1976, and founded a similar program at the University of British Columbia three years later. In 2006, appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for contributions to improving the lives of children and youth with rheumatic diseases. Awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Contributed more than 225 original research papers and book chapters.

Ronald Laxer

Active staff physician in the Division of Rheumatology and inaugural Division Head at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Internationally recognized in autoinflammatory disease, contributing to genetic discoveries of several new autoinflammatory diseases. Co-editor of the Textbook of Pediatric Rheumatology and the Textbook of Autoinflammation. Received the American College of Rheumatology Master Designation Award and the CRA Master Award. Appointed to the Covid-19 Government of Canada Task Force in 2020.

Lucy Wedderburn

Professor in Paediatric Rheumatology at UCL (Institute of Child Health), Director of Arthritis Research UK Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology at UCL, and UCL Hospitals/GOSH consultant. Research interests include T cell immunology, immune regulation, and muscle biology, focusing on human T cell responses and immune regulation in childhood autoimmune conditions such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM). Trained in Cambridge and London in Immunology and Rheumatology, with further scientific training at the University of Stanford, USA.

Elizabeth Mellins

Graduated from Cornell University, completed a post-bachelor year at MIT, and received an MD from Harvard Medical School. Trained in Pediatrics at the University of Colorado and in Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Washington. Focused on immunology and immunogenetics research during postdoctoral work at the University of Washington. Began her independent laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania and later moved to Stanford, where she is a Professor of Pediatrics and a member of the Interdisciplinary Program in Immunology. Served on the Cellular and Molecular Immunology NIH study section and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association of Immunologists. Founder and first chairperson of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance.

Robert Fuhlbrigge

Professor and Section Head for the division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Earned a medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, completed residency at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital/St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at Children’s Hospital (Boston). Member of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (Vice President) and the American College of Rheumatology. Received the Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professor Award.

Jonathan Akikusa

Head of the Pediatric Rheumatology unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Areas of expertise include Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), Psoriatic Arthritis, Arthritis, and Adult Still’s Disease. Co-authored approximately 40 peer-reviewed articles.

- Brunner

Leads the Division of Rheumatology at Cincinnati Children’s, integrating clinical and translational research. Research focuses on developing clinical trial endpoints, surrogate measures, and biomarkers for pediatric rheumatic diseases, particularly lupus. Conducts clinical trials in pediatric rheumatic disease, drug development, and biomarker discovery for lupus nephritis and neurological lupus. Has led multinational studies to develop criteria for lupus flare, improvement, remission, and inactive disease in children. Serves as the scientific director of the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group. Recipient of various awards including Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor and Exceptional Women in Medicine, the Halsted R. Holman Award for Excellence in Clinical Research, and the Above & Beyond Doctor of the Year award.