In 2024, many authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspectives and insightful views as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2024)

Dhiren Patel, Saint Louis University, USA

Ramona Rajapakse, Zucker School of Medicine, USA

Keith Sultan, Northshore/Hofstra Zucker School of Medicine, USA

Peter C. Ambe, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany

Livia Guadagnoli, Northwestern University, USA

Mohamed G Shiha, The University Hospitals of Leicester, UK

Diogo Turiani Hourneaux de Moura, Sociedade Brasileira de Endoscopia Digestiva, Brazil

Alexandra Fuss, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

Meredith R. Craven, Stanford University, USA

Sara H. Marchese, Northwestern University, USA

Outstanding Author

Dhiren Patel

Dr. Dhiren Patel, MBBS, MD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He also serves as the medical director of GI motility in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital at Saint Louis University. He has expertise in taking care of patients with dysmotility of GI tract for various reasons. He has started a gastrointestinal motility program from inception and is now serving a large population of children with the GI motility disorders in the Midwest. Dr. Patel is one of the few gastroenterologists interested in CF-related GI manifestations and has received many grant awards from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to continue research in the area of gut motility. He serves on the Neurogastro and Motility Committee of the NASPGHAN (North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) and the planning committee of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. Dr. Patel’s bibliography can be found here. Connect with him on X @DPatelMotility.

In Dr. Patel’s view, academic writing plays several crucial roles in science – communication of research findings, peer-review process, documentation, and reproducibility of results, building a platform of existing knowledge base, establishing authority and research excellence, education, and training for future learners. Overall, academic writing is integral to the scientific process as it facilitates the exchange of ideas, ensures the quality and validity of research, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in various fields of science.

Dr. Patel points out that by implementing several strategies, one can minimize biases in his/her academic writing and produce research papers that are objective, credible, and intellectually rigorous. These include awareness of personal bias and acknowledgment/reflection in own writing; use of impartial language and description of evidence-based factual points; critical evaluation of source material and citations; transparency in methodology; peer review and incorporation of feedback; and consultation with experts in the field as well as samples from the broad audience/readership.

At last, Dr. Patel would like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers, “Through your research, writing, and commitment to excellence, you are pushing the boundaries of human understanding and contributing to the collective advancement of society. Your work not only expands the frontiers of science but also has the potential to address pressing challenges and improve the lives of people around the world. Keep writing, keep exploring, and keep pushing the boundaries of what we know in the field of your interest and expertise. Your work is invaluable, and your impact is immeasurable!”

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Ramona Rajapakse

Ramona Rajapakse, MD, FRCP(UK), FACG, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) specialist. She obtained her medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and did her residency and fellowship at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, England, and Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC. She was director of the IBD Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, New York, before joining Mather Hospital, Port Jefferson, New York. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra, Northwell, and Program Director of the Gastroenterology fellowship training program at Mather Hospital. Her research is focused on all aspects of clinical IBD. In addition to research, invited lectures, and teaching, she has edited a book on IBD for Physicians (Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management. Springer Nature, 2021) and written a book for patients (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: A complete guide for patients. Springer, 2024). Connect with Dr. Rajapakse on X @RORajapakse.

In Dr. Rajapakse’s view, every academic paper should attempt to enhance our understanding of the subject. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the existing literature is paramount in order to understand gaps and grey areas in knowledge. This allows a more astute question to be posed. As such, there should be clearly defined sections: Introduction, Aim, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion. The question to be answered by the paper should be very clearly defined. The study should be well-designed with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria. It should be well executed with a descriptive Methods section. The type of study should be stated (e.g., retrospective, prospective, etc.). The number of subjects included should be appropriate for a convincing statistical analysis. Results should be presented in a format that is unambiguous and easy to understand using tables, charts, graphs, and figures where applicable. There should also be a comprehensive discussion that refers to existing knowledge on the subject and provides explanations for the limitations of the study. A convincing case should be made for the validity of the findings, positive or negative. The conclusion should summarize the findings and define the usefulness of the findings and what work still needs to be done. Lastly, for a review paper, the authors need to do a thorough literature review and have a deep understanding of the material. The review should be presented in a clear and concise manner.

Dr. Rajapakse further points out that, during preparation of a paper, authors should consider what question they want to answer, the audience, the best forum for presentation (oral presentation, poster, which journal), and the most expedient way to perform and get the work published.

“I choose to publish in TGH for the following reasons. It is open access and therefore has a wide audience; it is peer-reviewed - internal plus external experts with double blinding and transparency; it is a member of COPE; it has clearly stated guidelines for authors; and it is indexed in PubMed/PMC, which allows maximum exposure of the work,” says Dr. Rajapakse.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Keith Sultan

Keith Sultan completed his training in Gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, New York. Currently, he holds an appointment as Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, along with serving as the Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He maintains broad clinical research interests within the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including recent publications on disparities of presentation and outcomes of IBD patients based on race and ethnicity, the role of pharmacologic anticoagulation for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism for patients receiving treatment with Janus kinase inhibitors, as well as the first major published results of the SAPHIRE registry, examining outcomes of IBD patients with a history of cancer.

A good academic paper, in Prof. Sultan’s opinion, should have either one or both of these qualities: It should at the very least make some new observation that adds to the body of knowledge regarding the topic studied. While this may be sufficient in some cases, it is even better if the new observation has some future impact, either by pointing the way to future research or by directly changing an approach to patient care.

To Prof. Sultan, the challenges of academic writing are numerous. He explains, “Of course, you need to begin with a good idea and novel hypothesis for your work. This is not enough unless you also have access to the time and resources to carry out your project. In almost all cases, it is essential to have partners in the work who share your commitment and vision for the project. Finally, I cannot overstate the importance of maintaining the momentum. The longer a project lays idle, the more likely it will not be successfully completed.”

“Academic writing allows one to develop real expertise and advanced level knowledge of whatever topic you are writing about,” says Prof. Sultan.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Peter C. Ambe

Prof. Dr. Peter C. Ambe, M.D, MBA, FEBS, currently serves at the Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany. His areas of research include General Surgery, GI Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Surgery. His profile can be accessed here, and you may connect with him on Instagram.

Academic writing often involves evidence synthesis. On selecting the appropriate evidence for synthesis and analysis, Prof. Dr. Ambe indicates that one needs to be familiar with the literature prior to formulating a research question. Systematic literature research across the most common databases is always a good start. To him, authors need to bear in mind that no single database contains all the literature they need. Therefore, it should be a routine to query many different databases. In his own practice, discussing his research with a trusted peer or a mentor has always been helpful.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Livia Guadagnoli

Livia Guadagnoli, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research focuses on identifying the role of psychological processes, namely hypervigilance and symptom-specific anxiety, in esophageal symptom perception. She obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern in 2020 while on an NIH T32 training grant in GI Physiology and Psychology. She completed her post-doctoral training in the Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS) in Leuven, Belgium, and was awarded a Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) Junior Postdoctoral Fellowship to experimentally investigate the mechanisms involved in esophageal hypervigilance and their impact on esophageal symptom perception. Clinically, she is trained in administering evidence-based behavioral interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy, to patients with gastrointestinal disorders. She values the synergy between research and clinical work and hopes to continue pursuing research focused on identifying and refining psychological targets for future behavioral interventions.

Dr. Guadagnoli expresses that academic writing is crucial to science because it is the primary way for researchers to share their findings with the world. It is how discoveries get out of the lab and into the hands of those who can learn from them or use them to make a difference. Academic writing spreads knowledge, helps educate people, and sparks new ideas. When scientists publish their work, it not only informs authors on an individual and systemic level about the current state of research but also inspires future research, which can lead to innovation and growth.

Dr. Guadagnoli always begins her writing process with a comprehensive literature review to ensure her work remains current and relevant. This helps her stay aware of the latest research, including studies that both support and challenge her findings. She also thinks collaboration is key—working with a team means authors can get to draw on everyone’s knowledge and insights, ensuring the paper reflects a broader, more informed perspective. By combining the collective expertise and staying on top of new developments, authors can produce research that is fresh and accurate, and adds valuable insights to the field.

“While academic writing does take a lot of time and effort, I genuinely enjoy it. It is rewarding to see all the months or even years of hard work come together in a finished product. When preparing to write, I find it helpful to break the manuscript into its sections—like the introduction, methods, results, and discussion—and work on whichever part I am feeling most inspired by at the moment. I have learned over the years that it is not helpful to force myself to write a method section when I am not feeling motivated, instead, I will pivot to something like an introduction or discussion. If I am not in the mood to write anything, I will focus on creating figures or tables, which taps into more visual skills. This balance keeps me motivated and helps the process feel less overwhelming,” saysDr. Guadagnoli.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Mohamed G Shiha

Dr. Mohamed Shiha, MBBCh, MRCP, is a senior Gastroenterology registrar at the University Hospitals of Leicester and a PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield in England. His research focuses on optimizing the diagnosis of coeliac disease and improving the quality of gastrointestinal endoscopy. He was recently awarded the Coeliac UK Sponsored Dissertation Award and Guts UK/BSG Trainee Award. He is also a member of the British Society of Gastroenterology Trainees and Research Committees.

Dr. Shiha thinks a good academic paper should address a novel subject or provide new insights into an existing topic. It should be well-structured and logically sound. The paper should adhere to a robust methodology and data analyses with a clear and concise presentation of the results. The discussion section should summarize the main findings of the study, critically discuss the results, and address the strengths and limitations of the work.

In Dr. Shiha’s view, it is also very important to keep up-to-date with the latest papers published in the field by regularly reading high-impact journals, attending conferences, and engaging with online academic communities.

“Academic writing can be challenging, but it often comes with rewarding moments. The process of refining ideas and presenting them clearly and concisely brings a sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, seeing your work contribute to the broader academic conversation is incredibly satisfying,” says Dr. Shiha.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Diogo Turiani Hourneaux de Moura

Dr. Diogo T. H. de Moura is an associate professor at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and the President of the Bariatric Endoscopy division of the Sociedade Brasileira de Endoscopia Digestiva (SOBED). His research and clinical practice are focused on therapeutic endoscopy, mainly bariatric endoscopy, and the management of transmural gastrointestinal defects, especially endoscopic vacuum therapy.

Dr. de Moura believes academic writing is key for education and the improvement of clinical practice. There is no improvement without research. Writing and reading papers is pivotal for healthcare.

Dr. de Moura thinks an author not only needs knowledge about what he/she is writing, but also needs to have the ability to write it in a way that is easily understood by the readers. Sharing knowledge is a unique and precious ability. He adds that all doctors need to have a very well-organized schedule, including time for research and not only clinical practice. Setting aside time for research is crucial.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Alexandra Fuss

Alexandra Fuss, PhD, serves as the Director of Behavioral Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Much of her time is currently spent providing clinical care and program development for patients in the Crohn’s Colitis Center at MGH. As a counseling psychologist, she is trained to consider a multitude of theoretical lenses to conceptualize the unique presentations of her patients and is trained in providing evidence-based interventions. Her research focuses are largely driven by her clinical work and are broadly centered on psychological aspects of the experience of and coping with inflammatory bowel disease more specifically medical trauma, post-traumatic growth, and aspects of disease acceptance. She earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis in 2020 and has previously served as the Director of Behavioral Health in Digestive Diseases and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University. She currently serves on the National Scientific Advisory Committee in the Professional Education Committee of the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation, is an associate editor of the Crohn’s Colitis 360 Journal, and is the co-chair of the Early Career Committee of ROME Gastopsych. She has been previously awarded Humanitarian of the Year by the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation Connecticut chapter and has also been an invited speaker for Girls with Guts.

TGH: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?

Dr. Fuss: A good academic paper of course has core elements of being based upon relevant literature, utilizing strong methodology, summarizing the findings, and addressing strengths and areas for ongoing work. Beyond that though, a good paper is relatable and understandable; it leaves the reader feeling engaged, curious, and inspired to continue the work while also leaving the reader with new information they can use to better their work within the population they serve whether that be in research or clinically. A good paper stays in our minds, generating new thoughts, perspectives, and ideas, and arises as we see what we have learned play out in front of us inviting us to change our approach to the situations we may otherwise see as routine, or leaving us with new questions that need answers.

TGH: What do authors have to bear in mind while preparing of a paper?

Dr. Fuss: While considering the research question, ask yourself about the purpose of what you are studying. What can be done with the information gained? There are so many interesting questions out there, but a paper should be both interesting and have a purpose. Discuss the actionable steps or the key points you want people to take away from reading the work. Collaboration is also essential; the people I have worked with on different projects always bring in new perspectives, strengths, and feedback that not only make the work higher-quality but also more enjoyable. Knowing your strength and who can support your areas of growth is key. I’ve learned and grown so much from the collaborators who have supported and worked with me.

TGH: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Meredith R. Craven

Meredith Craven, PhD, MPH, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of GI Health Psychology in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine while on an NIH T32 training grant in GI Physiology and Psychology. She completed her MPH at Emory University. Dr. Craven is the co-chair of Rome Early Career GastroPsych. Her background in clinical psychology and public health, and interest in positive psychology inform her interests. She provides brain-gut behavior therapies to improve symptoms and coping for patients with gastrointestinal conditions while integrating patient strengths and cultural considerations. From a research perspective, she has collaborated on projects across the spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. She is passionate about investigating the role of patient strengths, complementary integrative health approaches, methods to decrease health disparities, and ways to improve access to brain-gut behavior therapies.

Dr. Craven thinks academic writing allows for knowledge and ideas to propagate and grow. It is important not just for clinicians and researchers but also for patients, and the public. Through increasing access to information and thoughtful viewpoints, academic writing empowers researchers to create positive change in the lab, in the clinic, and in the world.

In Dr. Craven’s view, important qualities for an academic author include curiosity, patience, perseverance, the ability to collaborate, and most importantly, self-compassion. Rejections and revisions are hard, especially after working for many months on a manuscript that may reflect years of work. It is important to not take feedback personally. Practicing self-kindness and shifting to a positive mindset to view feedback as an opportunity for growth and as a chance to learn from colleagues can help make authors more resilient to the stress associated with academic writing.

“I am lucky to have worked at an institution with incredible resources, including mentors and colleagues who value and prioritize research. Working with passionate and inquisitive colleagues helps maintain my energy and involvement in research and academic writing. I also love being in the field of psychogastroenterology. Researchers in this field are very collaborative, and it is helpful to work with people who hold me accountable and encourage my engagement. When you are excited and passionate about a field or topic, it feels easier to find the time for writing,” says Dr. Craven.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Sara H. Marchese

Dr. Sara Hoffman Marchese is an Assistant Professor and licensed clinical psychologist in the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern in 2021, and completed internship and fellowship training in Health Psychology at Rush University Medical Center. Clinically, she provides behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, and gut-directed hypnotherapy) for patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal conditions. She also provides pre-surgical psychological evaluations for patients pursuing bariatric surgery and supports patients in making lifestyle changes for weight management. Her research is at the intersection of gastroenterology and weight management, focusing on improving psychosocial outcomes and quality of life for patients with digestive disease and those seeking sustainable behavior changes. She also has expertise in technology-supported interventions, optimization methodology, and social support. Her recent projects have investigated the role of medical trauma in gastrointestinal disorders, and the role of cognitive behavioral skills in GERD symptom management.

TGH: Why do we need academic writing?

Dr. Marchese: Academic writing is essential to help communicate our science to not only the scientific community but also the public at large. I think of academic writing as an important responsibility to the patient communities we serve, as well; if our work truly seeks to help patients and improve patient care, then we have a duty to share our findings with those who will benefit from our work and the results of our studies and trials.

TGH: Data sharing has been prevalent in scientific writing in recent years. Do you think authors must share their research data?

Dr. Marchese: I think that de-identified data sharing is a research best practice and should be considered within reasonable request. Data sharing promotes open research methods and allows for greater transparency in data analytics and replicability of research findings. It also allows for increased collaboration between researchers/institutions across the globe.

TGH: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?

Dr. Marchese: First of all, keep going! Academic writing is no easy feat. Also, I would remind other writers that their science matters. Lastly, I would encourage other academic writers to continue brainstorming novel ideas and treatments. Some of the most impactful findings in my research career have resulted from following a clinical hunch.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)