Scleroderma
The Columbia Scleroderma Center maintains a rigorous, investigator-initiated research program at the forefront of systemic sclerosis science. Our faculty lead a comprehensive portfolio of clinical and translational studies aimed at unraveling disease mechanisms, identifying novel therapeutic targets, and transforming how scleroderma is assessed and treated.
Research at the Center spans basic science, translational investigation, and advanced imaging, with active studies examining immune dysregulation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction central to systemic sclerosis pathogenesis. Faculty-led projects encompass interventional clinical trials, observational studies including longitudinal patient registries, and biomarker discovery – together building a detailed picture of disease progression and treatment response over time.
Beyond our own walls, Columbia Scleroderma Center faculty lead multicenter national and international collaborations, extending the reach and impact of our findings across the broader scleroderma community.
A defining strength of our research program is its seamless integration with our multidisciplinary clinical care model. Patients seen at the Columbia Scleroderma Center have direct access to cutting-edge research studies, creating a powerful cycle in which scientific discovery accelerates better care – and patient outcomes inform the next generation of research.
The Center is equally committed to cultivating future leaders in the field, providing mentorship and research opportunities for trainees and junior faculty who will carry this work forward.
Faculty Active in this Area
Elana Bernstein, MD, MSc
- Director, Columbia Scleroderma Center
- Director of Research, Columbia Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology
Elana J. Bernstein MD, MSc, is the founder and Director of the Columbia Scleroderma Center. Dr. Bernstein's clinical and research interests focus on systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), as well as on the detection and treatment of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension in patients with autoimmune diseases. She is the Florence Irving Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Bernstein graduated summa cum laude from Amherst College and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society while a medical student at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She was the recipient of the American College of Rheumatology Distinguished Fellow Award and the Charles L. Christian Award for Excellence in Musculoskeletal Research while a rheumatology fellow at Hospital for Special Surgery. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to systemic sclerosis research, Dr. Bernstein received the Edith Busch Prize for Young Investigators at the 2024 Systemic Sclerosis World Congress. Dr. Bernstein has received grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, Arthritis Foundation, and Rheumatology Research Foundation to study lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Her ongoing research projects focus on interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis and on lung transplantation in patients with autoimmune diseases. Dr. Bernstein is the Principal Investigator of several scleroderma clinical trials and NIH-funded studies here in the Columbia Scleroderma Center.
Yiming Luo, MD, MSc
- Assistant Professor of Medicine
Yiming Luo, MD, MSc is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a key faculty member in the Columbia Scleroderma Center. After completing his fellowship training at the National Institutes of Health, he joined Columbia's Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, where he has dedicated himself to both patient care and research. He provides comprehensive care for patients with systemic sclerosis, focusing on each individual's unique needs. Dr. Luo's research focuses on uncovering the genetic underpinnings of systemic sclerosis. He also leads and participates in observational studies and clinical trials. Through these efforts, he aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop more personalized treatment approaches for this challenging condition.
Aradhna Agarwal, MD, MPH
- Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr. Aradhna Agarwal is a rheumatology fellow specializing in systemic sclerosis, with a particular focus on the impact of body composition on autoimmunity and disease outcomes. Recognizing the significant unmet need in scleroderma care, her research explores how muscle and fat distribution relate to disease progression, organ involvement, and treatment response. Her work is supported by an NIH T32 award, reflecting her commitment to advancing the understanding of systemic sclerosis.
Aradhna Agarwal, MD, MPH earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University, where she majored in Biology and Community Health, before obtaining her medical degree from The Ohio State University. She then earned her Master of Public Health degree at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Agarwal completed her internal medicine residency at UT Southwestern before specializing in rheumatology, with a focus on scleroderma and its complex systemic manifestations.
