It is with great pleasure that I begin my term as Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Endocrinology. This journal has played an important role in my career, serving as a home base for my work as an author, an editorial board member, an associate editor, and now as an Editor-in-Chief. Considering the significant work done by those Editors-in-Chief who served before me—John Cidlowski, John Nilson, Tony Means, and Brad Thompson, as well as the journal’s founder, Bert O'Malley—I know that I am inheriting a journal that has earned a reputation for publishing high-quality, high-impact science.
What is possibly my most important contribution as Editor-in-Chief occurred several months ago when I selected an outstanding team of Associate Editors who will influence the future of the journal for the next 5 years. Most readers will recognize the names of Franco DeMayo, Arthur Gutierrez-Hartmann, László Hunyady, Steve Kliewer, Chris Newgard, and Nancy Weigel. These eminent scientists have been strong supporters of both Molecular Endocrinology and The Endocrine Society, and I am grateful for their willingness to devote the next 5 years to continued service to our community.
Several changes have been introduced to Molecular Endocrinology. First, we have a fresh new design for both the cover and interior. Our imaginative covers will continue to be designed by Ron Smith, a scientist who has worked directly with our authors for years to produce exciting and thought-provoking scientific art.
Second, collaborations with other Endocrine Society journals will be initiated that will highlight the translational aspect of work published in Society journals. Specifically, relevant clinical articles that appear in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism will be listed in the Molecular Endocrinology Table of Contents with the titles, authors, and abstracts published in the back of the journal. The Society journal, Endocrinology, under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Blaustein, will follow the same policy. Paul Ladenson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, will likewise highlight Molecular Endocrinology and Endocrinology basic science articles of interest to readers of the Society’s clinical journal.
Third, Molecular Endocrinology will support the development of young scientists using various mechanisms such as increasing solicitations to young investigators to submit minireview articles and increasing appointments to the journal’s editorial board. I encourage young scientists in the various areas of molecular endocrinology to consider making this journal their home for submission of high-quality manuscripts of broad relevance to the field of endocrinology. Furthermore, if you, as a young scientist, feel that you can contribute as a reviewer and are not yet serving in this capacity, please contact the editorial office for information on how you can become involved in this important professional activity.
I’ve had the pleasure of serving you for the past 5 years with a dedicated team of senior editors including Editor-in-Chief John Cidlowski and Associate Editors Mariel Birnbaumer, Mary Hunzicker-Dunn, Donald McDonnell, Ming-Jer Tsai, and Paul Pilch. I have learned much from their scientific insight, fairness, and professionalism and promise to continue to maintain the high scientific and ethical standards set by my colleagues and previous editorial teams. I look forward to serving you for the next 5 years and welcome any suggestions that would help us serve you better.
Donald B. DeFranco
Editor-in-Chief
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Donald B. DeFranco