Dr. Mikuls is the Stokes-Shackleford Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha where he also serves as a rheumatologist and clinician investigator at the VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System. Dr. Mikuls’ research interests are focused on disease epidemiology, pathogenesis and outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis and gout. His work has been funded through research support from the NIH, VA, US Department of Defense, and industry. He is Director of the Professional Development Core for the NIGMS-funded Great Plains IDeA CTR and founded and has directed the national VA Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry (VARA) since its inception in 2003.