The next stage of our journey
A decade has passed since Porto Biomedical Journal (PBJ) was launched under the guiding principle “Where Science Meets Knowledge.”1 From the inaugural issue in 2016 to its indexing in PubMed Central in 2020,2 each milestone has confirmed our belief that persistent work leads to a meaningful impact.
We are now pleased to announce the beginning of a new chapter as PBJ becomes RISE Health Research Journal. This new designation reflects our strategic partnership with RISE-Health, an interdisciplinary research unit dedicated to advancing clinical and translational research. This marks an evolution that supports long-term sustainability, while preserving the journal's editorial independence and keeping editorial decision-making clearly insulated from any present and future partnerships, whether institutional or commercial. The updated visual identity, with a new logo and website, underscores our drive for innovation and wider engagement, building on the rigorous standards of quality and integrity that continue to guide the journal.
The journal also enters this new phase with renewed leadership. Fernando Schmitt, Director of RISE-Health, is stepping in as the new Editor-in-Chief, reflecting the commitment of Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) and RISE-Health to the journal's continued success.
Commitment to scientific excellence
Our immediate goals include indexing the journal in the Web of Science and securing its first impact factor. While these milestones are important for visibility and credibility, we are aware that journal metrics, particularly the impact factor, have inherent limitations and should not outweigh the intrinsic quality and rigor of the research we publish.
Achieving this will require attracting and publishing high-quality studies that advance human health. To meet these ambitious goals, we are implementing a carefully planned strategy, beginning with the expansion of the Editorial Board. The newly appointed Associate Editors, whose expertise spans major biomedical disciplines, will contribute to the journal's strategic direction and guide it toward greater impact and recognition.
In parallel, the scientific scope has been revised to include emerging thematic areas that reflect the evolving landscape of health research. Each submission will undergo a thorough, fair, and transparent peer-review process. Our editorial approach is guided by recognized best practice in publication ethics (including COPE principles), with a clear commitment to transparency, integrity, and responsible authorship. These measures will build trust among authors, reviewers, and readers, and encourage wider citation of published work.
Dissemination is another key component of our strategy. In addition to broader indexing, content will be promoted through targeted outreach, social media, and collaboration with international research networks. By expanding our reach, we anticipate attracting diverse contributions that address pressing questions in translational and clinical sciences.
Moving forward together
This rebranding is more than just a name change; it celebrates PBJ's legacy and reaffirms our commitment to its original mission of providing a free and accessible platform where robust and innovative research finds a global audience. Open access will remain at the heart of our policy, ensuring the free circulation of knowledge and fostering collaboration across borders.
We wish to acknowledge the dedication and leadership of the former Editors-in-Chief of PBJ, whose efforts were fundamental in establishing the editorial foundations on which this new phase is built.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated authors, reviewers, and readers whose contributions have made our progress possible. Your support has helped us build a strong editorial platform that is now ready to rise even higher. We also welcome new voices whose work demonstrates curiosity, rigor, and dedication to improving health. Together, we will ensure that RISE Health Research Journal becomes a trusted home for meaningful discoveries.
We invite you to help write this next chapter by submitting your best work, volunteering as reviewers, and sharing our articles with your networks. In doing so, you will help us prove that persistent effort has indeed an impact and that PBJ's spirit continues to thrive under its new title.
Acknowledgements
Fernando Schmitt is the current Editor-in-Chief of RISE Health Research Journal, and Director at RISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Pedro Gomes is the former Executive Director of Porto Biomedical Journal, and current Deputy Editor of RISE Health Research Journal. André Moreira was the first Editor-in-Chief of Porto Biomedical Journal. Altamiro da Costa-Pereira is the Dean at Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Contributor Information
Fernando Schmitt, Email: fschmitt@med.up.pt.
Pedro Gomes, Email: pgomes@med.up.pt.
André Moreira, Email: amasm@med.up.pt.
Altamiro da Costa-Pereira, Email: altamiro@med.up.pt.
References
- [1].Moreira A. PBJ: where science meets knowledge. Porto Biomed J. 2016;1(1):1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- [2].Moreira A, Araújo F, Pereira AdC. Every persistence must have an impact: PBJ is now indexed in PubMed central. Porto Biomed J. 2020;5(2):e69. [Google Scholar]