In 2024, many authors bring new findings, practical information on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to thoracic disease 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)

Ryaan El-Andari, The University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada

Gengyi Zou, MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Brian Mitzman, University of Utah, USA

Keisei Tachibana, Kyorin University, Japan

David C. Rotzinger, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Anthony Yii, Changi General Hospital, Singapore

Takashi Makino, Tokyo Rosai Hospital, Japan

Cristian Deana, Academic Hospital of Udine, Italy 

Outstanding Author

Ryaan El-Andari

Ryaan El-Andari obtained his MD in 2022 from the University of Alberta and is currently a second-year cardiac surgery resident at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He plans to start a Ph.D. in experimental surgery in the summer of 2024 with Dr. Jayan Nagendran on a project seeking to refine and improve ex-situ lung perfusion technologies. He has worked closely with Dr. Jayan Nagendran on numerous projects including investigations into outcomes following heart valve surgery, coronary artery revascularization, and tissue engineering heart valve replacement options. Most recently, Dr. El-Andari and Dr. Nagendran have been investigating the impact of resource allocation on surgical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. They hope to identify trends in how resources were allocated during the pandemic, and how this impacted patients waiting for surgery and hope to identify optimal strategies for future resource allocation during times of resource restrictions.

Dr. El-Andari thinks that the following things are the elements a good academic paper should include. First and foremost, it must have a good question, which is key in ensuring that an academic paper is impactful and important. With a good question, a researcher can build an excellent paper that can provide valuable information and may even result in a significant impact on the literature and practice. Strong data is essential in answering the proposed question and providing accurate results. Planning ahead to determine required sample sizes will help to organize a project and anticipate the time and resources required to collect robust data. Finally, the writing of the manuscript requires considerable time and effort. A good academic paper often tells a story. Structuring the introduction to provide background into what is known about the field, what questions are unanswered, and how the manuscript being written will look to address the problem helps to engage the reader and increases the chances they will retain what they have read. The methods should be clear and concise while providing enough details that the project could be feasibly replicated by the reader. The discussion should then summarize the findings, put them into the context of the previous literature, and should review the key takeaway points as well as the future directions of the field. Combining all of the above results in a strong and impactful paper.

According to Dr. El-Andari, planning is the key step for preparing a paper. From the initial development of the research question, planning ahead for the conduct of the investigation or experimental design keeping in mind the question will help to ensure the result answers the initial question. Organization is paramount, especially when analyzing data. Having a systematic approach to analyzing and interpreting data will help to keep the project organized and on track.

“Perseverance is necessary in research. Research requires a significant dedication of time and effort. The process can be long and arduous, and the reward of a completed and published manuscript is often delayed. The process can be discouraging with setbacks expected as part of the research process. I encourage other scientists and researchers to persist in the face of challenges, and to consistently consider the broader context while focusing on individual tasks. Continuing to work towards the overall goal of the research project and taking small steps in the right direction will eventually get the project to the finish line. The importance of research cannot be understated, and additions to the literature help us advance our understanding of the world. In medicine and surgery, we are especially fortunate as researchers, as our contributions to the literature help to improve the care of patients. When we publish impactful works that influence patient care, we can improve the lives of many more people than we would have otherwise been able to on our own working in a clinical setting. Patient care should be a driving force in medical research and I hope that goal will help to motivate others, helping them persevere in their research ventures,” says Dr. Dr. El-Andari.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Gengyi Zou

Gengyi Zou is a Postdoc Fellow at the Department of GI Medical Oncology of MD Anderson Cancer Center. As an oncology scientist, cancer biology has been the primary focus of her entire research career. She has immersed herself in gastric cancer research, establishing a groundbreaking gastric organoid model to mimic gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) tumorigenesis. Simultaneously, she contributed to research on mammary tumorigenesis, liver disease signaling, and esophageal neoplasia genetics, co-authoring several manuscripts. In the long run, she aims to decipher the underlying biology of advanced GAC tumorigenesis. This deeper understanding will inform advanced GAC patient stratification and facilitate the development of effective therapeutic strategies, which will contribute greatly to gastric cancer patients in America and worldwide.

From Dr. Zou’s perspective, a good academic paper needs to be authentic and innovative. In constructing a paper, authors should ensure their story flows smoothly and is easy for readers to follow along. To her, sharing published resources is crucial for collaborative science, too. “Let's stay open-minded and support each other in advancing from bench to bedside,” adds she.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Brian Mitzman

Dr. Brian Mitzman is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute, focusing on non-cardiac General Thoracic Surgery. His clinical interests concentrate on Thoracic Surgical Oncology, specifically the application of robotics for complex tumors. He serves as the Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery and chairs the University Robotic Steering Committee. As a Huntsman Cancer Institute Investigator, Dr. Mitzman’s research interests focus on clinical outcomes and optimizing treatment approaches for lung and esophageal cancer. He has specific expertise in cost-effectiveness and determining the appropriate balance of cost and innovation in surgical technology. He currently serves as a Senior Editor for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery and an editorial board member for the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Learn more about him here.

From Dr. Mitzman’s perspective, a strong academic paper provides a meaningful conclusion, even if it is with a negative outcome. It leads to a real impact on how physicians treat patients or on the overall understanding of a disease process. To achieve this, authors must start with a hypothesis that can be answered with the data being evaluated. Limitations of the data must be understood just as well as the question being asked, and conclusions must be tempered and based on what the data show instead of an author’s preconceived assumptions.

Dr. Mitzman adds that academic writing allows surgeons to impact more than just their local patients. A well-done project can influence how physicians around the world treat patients and directly change care pathways at an international level.

“All authors come with biases, and we must make a conscious effort to evaluate the data and our hypotheses for what they are. Often, we have such personal investment in our work that becomes hard to see the flaws with a manuscript and trust peer review as actual constructive criticism. Finally, staying up to date with a field such as lung cancer can be a struggle, as a treatment paradigm may change prior to completion of a novel project,” says Dr. Mitzman.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Keisei Tachibana

Keisei Tachibana is an associate professor at the Department of Thoracic and Thyroid Surgery, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from the Kyorin University School of Medicine in 1999 and obtained a PhD degree from the same University in 2011. From 2005 to 2007, he served as a resident in the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan. In 2009, he conducted research on multistage carcinogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma in the Department of Diagnostic Pathology at Tsukuba University, Ibaraki, Japan. His research fields are minimally invasive surgery such as thoracoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, bronchial intervention, metastatic pulmonary tumor, lung pathology and cytology.

Dr. Tachibana thinks the most important thing to do, in academic writing, is to go with the trend of science which advances rapidly, and always collect new information. Further, he states it is crucial to pursue daily clinical questions, participate in academic conferences positively and read the latest research papers to keep one’s knowledge current.

From Dr. Tachibana’s perspective, having his research results cited in other papers and sharing and discussing information with other researchers in daily clinical practice and at academic conferences are important for ensuring his writing is critical.

Lastly, Dr. Tachibana shares a few words to encourage other academic writers, “We doctors spend our days busy with clinical work, research, and education. I feel that it is important to diligently pursue academic writing even if it takes time.”

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

David C. Rotzinger

David C. Rotzinger, MD, PhD, is a cardiothoracic and vascular radiologist at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL). He received his MD in 2017 and a PhD in life sciences at the UNIL in 2021. He serves as an attending physician in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology - Cardiothoracic and Vascular Division at CHUV and has been the head thereof since 2022. Since 2023, he has been a senior lecturer with teaching authorization "PD-MER". His main research areas are evaluating and optimizing image quality and diagnostic performance in computed tomography (CT), including the more recent dual-energy (DECT) and photon-counting (PCCT) systems. His research projects include the assessment of novel non-invasive atherosclerotic inflammation markers derived from post-mortem CT studies. He is also a committee member of the Swiss Medical Board of Radiology. Learn more about Dr. Rotzinger here, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Dr. Rotzinger regards a paper that tackles a timely subject that needs either a deeper understanding or a clarified decision-making process as a good academic paper. He points out that the methodology should be replicable by other study groups and described in a structured way so that readers not only understand the involved scientific process but ideally should enjoy the read. A catchy title helps gather the potential reader’s attention. He adds, “Needless to say, it is not always possible to conduct large international, multicentric randomized controlled trials to address each and every scientific question we stumble upon during our medical career, however, the authors should do their very best to deliver a high-impact assessment of the hypothesis that is being tested.”

Academic papers are often authored not by one but by several individuals. In Dr. Rotzinger’s view, authors often face numerous challenges when attempting to write and publish a manuscript. Constructing a clear and coherent narrative that relies on facts and logical thinking can be daunting, requiring skills that are gathered over years of experience and feedback from co-authors, senior researchers, reviewers, and editors. Throughout this process, sustaining motivation can be difficult, finding time to write amidst busy schedules is a constant struggle, and co-authors may not always be available when their input is needed. Editing a draft for submission to a particular journal entails employing a general academic style and tone, often necessitating adherence to very specific author guidelines, which can be a time-consuming labor. However, he indicates that some publishers are making strides to accommodate researchers in this regard by allowing flexibility in manuscript structure and style.

“In many ways, writing a manuscript is one of the most exciting parts of research. However, it can also be a challenging phase for junior authors who may struggle to grasp the key issues, lose confidence, or feel demotivated, leading them to give up. The excitement lies in not just presenting scientific results but also putting them in perspective by considering what is already known and what questions remain unanswered. Overall, the blend of contributing to knowledge, critical thinking, and collaborating globally with the aim of making a real-world impact is what makes academic writing fascinating,” says Dr. Rotzinger.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Anthony Yii

Dr. Anthony Yii is a Consultant in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Changi General Hospital in Singapore and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School. He also serves as a Clinical Instructor and Content Expert at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cambridge and obtained specialist accreditation in Respiratory Medicine in 2017. His research focuses on Airway Diseases such as asthma and COPD, particularly pheno-endotyping, risk stratification, and population health aspects. Recent projects include investigating blood eosinophil count as a biomarker for guiding systemic corticosteroid treatment in hospitalized asthma exacerbations and developing an artificial intelligence model for teaching and evaluating inhaler technique. Dr. Yii is recognized for his outstanding contributions, receiving accolades such as the Singhealth Publish! Award and the National COVID-19 Award.

In Dr. Yii’s opinion, when preparing a paper, authors must maintain faith in their work's significance and uphold high standards of scientific integrity. They should ensure their research addresses important issues and utilize appropriate analytic approaches, with appropriate control for confounders and ensuring valid inferences are made based on the data. He thinks it is essential that study participants represent real-world target populations with complex comorbidities and may experience barriers to healthcare, reflecting real-world complexity.

“I chose to publish in the Journal of Thoracic Diseases due to its inclusive nature, in that it welcomes studies from various countries and cultures. This inclusivity ensures a global perspective, enriching the discourse on thoracic diseases with diverse insights and experiences. The journal's commitment to publishing research from different regions fosters collaboration and understanding across borders, promoting the exchange of ideas and methodologies,” says Dr. Yii.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Takashi Makino

Takashi Makino, MD, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory Surgery at Tokyo Rosai Hospital, Japan. He earned his MD and PhD degrees from Toho University, Tokyo, Japan. He was a resident in the Division of Thoracic Oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo from 2009-2013 and worked in the Division of Chest Surgery at Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo from 2013-2019. His research areas include minimally invasive thoracic surgery, surgical pathology, and work-life balance support.

A difficult aspect of academic writing, in Dr. Makino’s opinion, is logically considering the difference between the result and prediction. It is challenging to eliminate personal assumptions and examine the results scientifically without interpreting personal convenience.

Academic writing often involves evidence synthesis. To select the appropriate evidence for synthesis and analysis, Dr. Makino would review the history of previous studies. Particularly, he would read through the papers used in the Introduction and determine whether they are reliable. He would also comprehensively search and verify papers and incorporate the opinions and ideas of researchers, including those in other fields, through academic conferences and research meetings. He believes academic writers should be cautious about any potential bias while selecting evidence.

In addition, disclosing the conflict of interest (COI) is important, too, from Dr. Makino’s perspective. Involvement with companies and other entities that have assumed COI can affect research methods and results to the detriment of the patients and society.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Cristian Deana

Cristian Deana obtained his Medical School Degree in 2010 and completed his residency in Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation, Critical Care and Pain Therapy in 2016. Both were carried out at the University of Udine under the guidance of Professor Giorgio Della Rocca (Full Professor), where he gained expertise in the hemodynamic management of high-risk patients in non-cardiac surgery as well as the critical care setting. Since 2016, he has been working at the Anesthesia and Intensive Care 1 Unit in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care of the Academic Hospital of Udine – a tertiary-level Hub Hospital providing 1095 beds, where all surgical specialties are carried out. His specific fields of interests and research are ultrasound in ICU, nutrition in critically ill patients, neuro-intensive care and the perioperative care of high-risk non-cardiac surgical patients, especially the ones undergoing esophagectomy. Learn more about Dr. Deana on ResearchGate and Orcid, and connect with him on X @DeanaCristian85.

From Dr. Deana’s perspective, authors should be enthusiastic and curious to dedicate passion and time to research. To avoid biases in one’s writing, he believes native authors should be supervised by expert authors for the first time they construct a paper.

“I strongly believe that the only way to deliver the best treatment available to patients is to produce literature. In fact, in doing so, every day is an opportunity to stay up to date!” says Dr. Deana.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)