Roberto Gerli trained in Internal Medicine at University of Perugia and in Rheumatology at University of Pisa. Since 1994, Chairman of the Centre for the Study of Rheumatic Diseases at University of Perugia. Associate Professor of Rheumatology (2001-2006) and now he is full Professor of Rheumatology and Chief of Rheumatology Unit of the Department of Medicine & Surgery at the University of Perugia. Currently, he is President of the FIRMA Group (Interdisciplinary Forum on Research in Autoimmune Diseases), formal Italian branch of EASI (European Autoimmunity Standardisation Initiative) and Past President of the Italian Society of Rheumatology. He devoted his scientific activity to depicting the pathogenic aspects of immuno-mediated diseases, in particular focusing on cardiovascular diseases in rheumatic diseases and on clinical/pathogenic aspects of primary Sjögren’s syndrome.