Reviewers hold a pivotal role in the scientific publishing ecosystem, ensuring the integrity and quality of scholarly journals. They dedicate extensive time and expertise to meticulously evaluate manuscripts, providing authors with timely, insightful feedback and constructive criticism. Despite their critical contributions, reviewers often remain behind the scenes due to the anonymity of the peer review process. At the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) journals, these reviewers are the backbone, and their invaluable contributions are receiving well-deserved recognition.
The ASBMB journals, including the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC), the Journal of Lipid Research (JLR), and Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, are committed to fostering a robust community of reviewers. They place immense value on the irreplaceable contributions reviewers make. This commitment is reflected in initiatives like the Early Career Reviewers program at JBC and the Junior Associate Editor Program at JLR, aimed at nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders.
Recognizing Excellence During Peer Review Week
This Peer Review Week, the chief editors of ASBMB journals are shining a spotlight on the dedicated scientists whose efforts uphold the high standards of scientific excellence. Alex Toker, associate director of the Cancer Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School, has been serving as editor-in-chief of JBC since 2021.
“On behalf of the entire JBC editorial team, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our reviewers,” Toker said. “Your generosity, expertise, and thoughtful feedback are the foundation of rigorous peer review and make it possible for us to publish science of the highest quality. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to the scientific community and to advancing discovery.”
JLR Co-Editors-in-Chief Kerry-Anne Rye, a research professor at the University of New South Wales, and Nicholas O. Davidson, professor at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasize the importance of maintaining rigorous and timely evaluations.
“We are deeply grateful to our exceptional reviewers for their commitment to timely, thorough, and fair-minded reviews,” Rye said.
Davidson added,
“Submissions to the Journal of Lipid Research for 2025 are on track for an all-time high, in large part because of the breadth of expertise across our reviewers.”
Spotlight on Outstanding Reviewers
Below, we highlight several reviewers whose dedication has significantly enhanced the quality of published research. While these individuals are singled out for their exemplary efforts, the editors extend their sincere appreciation to all reviewers who help ensure that ASBMB journals maintain the highest standards of scientific excellence.
Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Gaetano Santulli is a physician-scientist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. His research spans metabolism and cardiovascular medicine, focusing on translational discoveries. Santulli has been a JBC editorial board member since 2019.
- Susan L. Bellis is a professor and chair of cell, developmental, and integrative biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her lab studies the role of cell surface glycans in cancer cell behavior. Bellis joined the JBC Editorial Board in 2021.
- Birte Svensson is a professor at the Technical University of Denmark, researching carbohydrate active enzymes and their applications in food and biotechnology. Svensson has been a JBC Editorial Board member since 2014.
Journal of Lipid Research
- William “Bill” Griffiths, chair of mass spectrometry at Swansea University Medical School, focuses on cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism. He has been a JLR Editorial Board member since 2011.
- John S. Parks, a professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, investigates plasma lipoprotein and lipid metabolism. Parks has been on the JLR Editorial Board since 2007.
- Robert “Nate” Helsley, assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, studies lipid-signaling mechanisms in various disorders. Helsley has served as a Junior Associate Editor at JLR since 2024.
Looking Forward
The recognition of these reviewers comes at a time when the scientific community is increasingly focused on transparency and rigor in research. The ASBMB journals’ commitment to acknowledging the contributions of reviewers not only highlights their importance but also encourages a culture of excellence and collaboration in scientific research.
As the ASBMB continues to invest in young investigators and guide them through the peer review process, the future of scientific publishing looks promising. The dedication of reviewers like those highlighted here ensures that the journals remain at the forefront of scientific discovery, setting a benchmark for quality and integrity in research publications.
