In 2024, TGH reviewers continue to make outstanding contributions to the peer review process. They demonstrated professional effort and enthusiasm in their reviews and provided comments that genuinely help the authors to enhance their work.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding reviewers, with a brief interview of their thoughts and insights as a reviewer. Allow us to express our heartfelt gratitude for their tremendous effort and valuable contributions to the scientific process.
February, 2024
Javier Arredondo Montero, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Spain
May, 2024
John Leung, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
February, 2024
Javier Arredondo Montero
Dr. Javier Arredondo Montero, MD, PhD, obtained his medical degree in 2015 at the University of Alcalá and completed his specialty in Pediatric Surgery at the Hospital Universitario de Navarra. He obtained his doctorate with qualification Cum Laude in 2023 (University of Navarra). He was awarded the SANITAS end-of-residency national prize in 2023. He has more than 80 publications in international indexed journals, many of which in first quartile, and has participated as peer reviewer in more than 100 publications. He is currently editorial board member of the World Journal of Pediatric Surgery and Review Editor of Frontiers in Surgery and Frontiers in Pediatrics (Pediatric Surgery section). He is currently leading a multicenter research group related to pediatric acute appendicitis (BIDIAP 2).
TGH: Why do we need peer review? What is so important about it?
Dr. Arredondo: The foundations of quality scientific communications are undergoing drastic changes in recent years. The vertiginous pace at which new advances are being developed and the unhealthy competitiveness that is being fostered in academic environments, together with the emergence of multiple predatory journals, are compromising the quality and integrity of scientific production. Peer review logically presents areas for improvement, but in my opinion, it is the invisible guardian that watches over authentic and quality science in a supportive and global manner.
TGH: What are the qualities a reviewer should possess?
Dr. Arredondo: There are many virtues that can be demanded of a reviewer, but they are all based on the same two pillars: humility and altruism. A reviewer must be a generous person who devotes quality time to the work he/she evaluates without expecting anything in return and must be able to ask for help or inform sincerely when he/she is not qualified.
TGH: Why is it important for a research to apply for institutional review board (IRB) approval? What would happen if this process is omitted?
Dr. Arredondo: The basis of sound scientific work in humans or animals is ethics. Nowadays there is a huge rush to publish, and the evaluation of these committees is perceived in many cases a "funnel" which slows down the studies. This erroneous perception can lead to non-compliance with current ethical requirements. IRBs are essential non-profit multidisciplinary boards which constitute an essential element in the research chain, providing comprehensive oversight of the rights and duties of research participants and ensuring that the research does not violate any ethical or regulatory framework in force. I believe that an important area for improvement is the creation of fluid and simple communication channels between researchers and IRBs, as well as specific training concerning their functions and researcher-IRBs work flows.
(by Lareina Lim, Brad Li)
May, 2024
John Leung
Dr. John Leung, MD, AGAF, FACAAI, is the sole US physician dual board-certified in Allergy/Immunology and Gastroenterology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He has pursued fellowships at Tufts Medical Center for Gastroenterology and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School for Allergy/Immunology. He founded Boston Specialists in 2015, a prominent independent clinical and research center in New England. Dr. Leung serves as an adjunct assistant professor at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and adjunct faculty at Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, mast cell GI disorders, and food allergy/intolerance. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, including articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, and has presented at esteemed institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital and the American Gastroenterology Association.
Dr. Leung believes reviewers must consider several key factors to ensure the quality and integrity of academic publications. First and foremost, as reviewers, they must assess the relevance of the research to the scope and audience of the journal or conference. Additionally, reviewers should look for originality in the research, evaluating whether it presents novel findings, ideas, or methodologies that contribute to advancing knowledge in the field. Methodological rigor is also a crucial aspect of the review process, as reviewers should examine the appropriateness and soundness of the research methods. Clarity and organization are essential for effective communication of the research findings, so reviewers should scrutinize the paper's clarity, structure, and use of figures and tables. The validity of results is another key consideration, assessing the reliability of the data analysis and the support for the conclusions drawn, while verifying the accuracy and appropriateness of references and citation and ensuring that relevant literature is properly acknowledged. Ethical considerations, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, and conflicts of interest (COIs), should be carefully examined to ensure adherence to ethical standards. Reviewers should evaluate the paper's contribution to the field, assessing the significance of the findings and their implications for advancing knowledge. Lastly, and most importantly, reviewers should strive to provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work, offering suggestions for clarifying points, strengthening arguments, or addressing limitations. Throughout the review process, the reviewer’s confidentiality and objectivity shoule be maintained, focusing solely on the quality of the research and avoiding personal biases or COIs. In considering these factors, all reviewers should know they are playing a vital role in maintaining the quality and integrity of academic publications and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.
In Dr. Leung’s opinion, all reviewers play a vital role in the advancement of scientific progress, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the quality and integrity of research publications. Therefore, he would like to say a few words to them, “Your dedication and commitment to rigorously evaluating manuscripts contribute immensely to the dissemination of reliable knowledge and the growth of academic disciplines. Your attention to detail, constructive feedback, and adherence to ethical standards are invaluable in maintaining the credibility of scholarly literature. Your efforts help shape the future of scientific inquiry and inspire confidence in the research community. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to advancing scientific progress, and know that your contributions are deeply appreciated and make a significant difference in the world of academia. Keep up the excellent work!”
(by Lareina Lim, Brad Li)
