Hal M. Hoffman, M.D., is Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Hoffman obtained his M.D. degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1990, his residency in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, and fellowship in allergy and immunology at the UCSD. His current clinical practice is at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Hoffman’s main research interests are genetics and inflammation. He has identified five genes involved in rare diseases. One of these, cryopyrin associated periodic syndrome is characterized by rash, fever, and joint and bone findings. The identification of the gene that codes for cryopyrin for has led to a better understanding of normal regulation of inflammation. These studies have also led to the discovery of novel treatments and other rare inherited autoinflammatory disorders with implications for more common inflammatory diseases.