In 2025, 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 (2025)
Matthew Simpson, Allegheny General Hospital, USA
Néstor J. Martínez-Hernández, La Ribera University Hospital, Spain
Sara Degiovanni, The University of Milan, Italy
Maximilian Vorstandlechner, University Hospital of Munich, Germany
Ryo Kozu, The Nagasaki University, Japan
Shohei Mori, The Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Japan
Tamzyn Huisamen, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa
Outstanding Author
Matthew Simpson
Dr. Matthew Simpson is an Internal Medicine physician. His research focuses on pulmonary and critical care medicine, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and strategies to reduce hospital readmissions. He has published multiple studies on COPD management and is passionate about improving patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Beyond research, Dr. Simpson is dedicated to medical education, mentoring underrepresented students through his company, Top MD LLC, which provides academic support for aspiring healthcare professionals. As he prepares to enter a Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship, he remains committed to advancing COPD research, refining risk assessment tools, and optimizing post-discharge management strategies to reduce disease burden. Connect with him on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.
Dr. Simpson thinks a strong academic paper should have a clear research question, a well-defined methodology, and rigorous data analysis. It must provide a logical flow, with a compelling introduction, a robust discussion of findings, and a conclusion that ties back to the original hypothesis. Clarity, conciseness, and coherence are crucial in making complex scientific concepts accessible. High-quality figures and tables should complement the text, enhancing comprehension. Furthermore, proper referencing ensures credibility, and the discussion should acknowledge study limitations while highlighting clinical significance.
To Dr. Simpson, the motivation for academic writing comes from a deep commitment to improving patient care and addressing gaps in medical knowledge. Research allows him to bridge the divide between clinical practice and scientific discovery, ensuring that evidence-based interventions translate into real-world benefits. The challenge of solving complex medical problems, coupled with the opportunity to mentor and inspire future physicians, fuels his dedication. Ultimately, knowing that his work can enhance outcomes for patients with conditions like COPD keeps him driven to contribute meaningfully to the field.
“Academic writing is a marathon, not a sprint. Every manuscript contributes to the collective knowledge that drives medical innovation. While the process can be challenging—filled with revisions, rejections, and reanalysis—each step refines both your research and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Stay persistent, embrace constructive criticism, and remember that your work has the potential to change lives. Science thrives on collaboration, so seek mentorship, support your peers, and remain curious,” says Dr. Simpson.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Néstor J. Martínez-Hernández
Dr. Néstor J. Martínez-Hernández is a consultant thoracic surgeon at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at La Ribera University Hospital (Alzira, Valencia, Spain). His clinical practice focuses on general thoracic surgery, with a special emphasis on minimally invasive lung cancer surgery and advanced airway procedures. He has authored several clinical and experimental papers on tracheal surgery and has led multiple research initiatives. He currently chairs the Spanish ERAS Working Group on Thoracic Surgery and has published extensively on hyperhidrosis surgical treatment. Additionally, he serves on the editorial board of Cirugía Española (Spanish Surgery Journal).
From Dr. Martínez-Hernández’s perspective, academic writing is paramount for scientific progress, ensuring that knowledge is documented, shared, and critically evaluated. In medicine, it enables the dissemination of innovations, refinement of techniques, and development of evidence-based practices. A key aspect is its role in allowing researchers to build upon each other’s work. Science is cumulative; new discoveries rely on previous studies, whether by confirming findings, challenging conclusions, or applying knowledge in new ways. Moreover, academic writing fosters critical dialogue, allowing researchers to refine methodologies and improve clinical outcomes. Without it, medicine would lack the rigorous foundation needed to advance patient care in a safe, evidence-based manner.
Dr. Martínez-Hernández thinks an academic author should possess three fundamental qualities: curiosity, rigor, and clarity. Curiosity drives the research process. A good author constantly questions existing knowledge and seeks to explore new ideas that can lead to innovation. Rigor ensures that research is conducted systematically, ethically, and with attention to detail. It forms the foundation for the accurate and credible transmission of scientific knowledge. Clarity is essential for effective communication. Scientific findings are only as valuable as their ability to be understood and applied by other researchers and clinicians. Writing concisely and precisely, while avoiding unnecessary complexity, ensures that the work reaches a broader audience. Furthermore, a text should not only be rigorous and clear but also engaging, making it easier for readers to follow and absorb the information. Additionally, perseverance is key. The process of writing, facing rejections, revising, and responding to peer reviews requires resilience, as constructive criticism is an integral part of academic publishing.
In addition, Dr. Martínez-Hernández believes data sharing is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and ensuring transparency in research. Sharing data allows for the validation and reproducibility of findings, which strengthens the credibility of scientific literature. Open access to datasets also fosters collaboration between research groups, leading to new discoveries that may not have been possible with isolated efforts. He adds that data sharing not just accelerates the application of new techniques but also helps mitigate biases, as independent researchers can analyze the same data from different perspectives.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Sara Degiovanni
Dr. Sara Degiovanni graduated in 2022 from the University of Novara, where she developed a thesis on evaluating preoperative lung function in patients undergoing major lung resections. She is currently a resident in Thoracic Surgery at the University of Milan, Italy. Her research interests focus on preoperative lung surgery evaluation for pulmonary neoplasms and lung transplantation. Her future projects and research focus on lung transplantation and surgical management of palmar hyperhidrosis.
Dr. Degiovanni reckons the primary outcome of producing scientific articles is the dissemination of research and its findings. In the medical field, this process is focused on enhancing patient care and optimizing clinical practices. Academic writing enables authors to connect with researchers, share discoveries and innovations, critique clinical practices, and lay the foundation for future advancements in medicine. Ultimately, it advances medical science by documenting research, identifying gaps, and improving patient care.
In Dr. Degiovanni’s view, an author should possess several qualities to produce valuable scientific articles. Some of the most important qualities include: critical thinking, clarity in presentation, professional ethics, and the ability to collaborate with other researchers to develop constructive ideas and analyze a subject from multiple perspectives. Besides, she believes that curiosity is an essential quality that cannot be overlooked.
Dr. Degiovanni believes that a researcher's interest and passion for their work are crucial for finding the right time to write articles, even amidst daily demands. Additionally, collaborating with other researchers and colleagues helps maintain motivation. She tries to find time to dedicate to research during the "quieter" moments of clinical practice. Passion for research and enthusiasm often overcome fatigue.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Maximilian Vorstandlechner
Dr. Maximilian Vorstandlechner graduated from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) in 2021. He is currently working as a resident in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the University Hospital of Munich (LMU). His research primarily focuses on lung transplantation, with recent projects investigating the respiratory microbiome, transplantation immunology, histocompatibility, and the mechanisms of acute and chronic allograft dysfunction.
In Dr. Vorstandlechner’s view, academic writing is essential because it upholds the integrity and advancement of medical knowledge by ensuring that clinical decisions and surgical techniques are based on scientific evidence rather than anecdotal experience alone. It serves as a vital platform for disseminating research findings, clinical insights, and surgical innovations to the global medical community. By fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and continuous learning, academic writing not only advances medical practice but also contributes to the development of evidence-based guidelines, ultimately improving patient care and healthcare outcomes.
Dr. Vorstandlechner thinks a key skill of an author is the ability to communicate complex research findings clearly and effectively. A great author can break down intricate topics into accessible language, allowing a broader audience to engage with and understand the significance of the work. Beyond simplification, strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize and present evidence-based conclusions are essential for meaningful scientific contribution.
“Balancing patient care with academic writing can be challenging at times. However, I have found that some of my best research ideas emerge directly from my daily clinical experiences. There have been instances where I encountered particularly complex cases and, in searching for answers, realized that the existing literature did not fully address the issue. This is when academic writing becomes especially meaningful—it provides an opportunity to explore these gaps, contribute to the field, and ultimately improve patient care. Even more rewarding is when research is not only published but also applied by colleagues facing similar challenges, reinforcing the vital connection between clinical practice and scientific advancement,” says Dr. Vorstandlechner.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Ryo Kozu
Dr. Ryo Kozu, PT, BSc, PhD, is a physiotherapist and Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. His clinical area of expertise is cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and rehabilitation for people with chronic respiratory disease, undergoing thoracic and major abdominal surgery, and critical illness in the ICU. His research interests include interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, and critical illness including ARDS. He leads a research program that aims to improve the outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation, and his research group was awarded at several academic conferences, mainly in Japan.
Dr. Kozu asserts that academic writing benefits not only the staff involved in research but also the researchers, clinicians, and ultimately the patients. In his daily work, he constantly sees patients in clinical practice and discusses with staff and colleagues. Throughout this process, he thinks researchers can continue to ask clinical questions and identify problems in the research field.
“I am driven by the progress of my students, as well as young clinicians and researchers. I take pride in the fact that my research findings and published papers are utilized by many of my colleagues and frequently cited in their work,” says Dr. Kozu.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Shohei Mori
Shohei Mori, MD, PhD, graduated from The Jikei University School of Medicine in 2006 and received his PhD degree from The Jikei University School of Medicine in 2017. He is currently the Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Chiba, Japan. His research area is minimally invasive thoracic surgery, thoracic oncology, and basic animal experiments of extracorporeal devices such as ECMO and extracorporeal CO2 removal. Recently, he has been interested and involved in the project of haptic feedback and grasping force data analyses in surgical manipulation using the "Saroa" surgical robot in thoracic surgery.
Dr. Mori thinks a good academic paper should have a simple and clear message. The research topic should arise from the challenge of a question experienced in clinical practice and should be novel, shedding light on areas that have not been clarified, and providing a rationale. He asserts that a good academic paper creates new perspectives and that sharing new clinical questions with the medical community will lead to the further development of medicine.
Dr. Mori believes that fairness and honesty must always be upheld in the interpretation of research data. Analysis should be conducted with minimal preconceived notions and arbitrary interpretations, aiming for reproducible results. Active critique should be encouraged, and the research limitations must be distinctly articulated.
“It is sometimes difficult to stay motivated to do research in a busy clinical practice. However, research can also motivate you to do clinical work. When you get lost, go back to your roots and remember that you are doing research to help others and to give back to patients. By continuing and publishing your research, you are leaving a living legacy in the history of medicine,” says Dr. Mori.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Tamzyn Huisamen
Dr. Tamzyn Huisamen is currently completing her residency in Internal Medicine at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Cape Town in 2017. Her research interest, inspired by the pioneering work of her supervisor, Prof. B. Allwood, focuses on post-tuberculosis lung disease. This is a critically understudied topic that remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa.
Dr. Huisamen thinks the purpose of an academic paper is to contribute meaningfully and expand existing knowledge. A good academic paper should articulate a well-defined research question, supported by a logically structured argument that is coherent to readers. It should also demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of existing literature, effectively integrating relevant research to provide context.
In Dr. Huisamen’s view, avoiding bias in academic writing is crucial for maintaining credibility. It is important to remain open to findings that challenge your expectations and to present a balanced discussion of results. Additionally, acknowledging the limitations of the research helps prevent overgeneralization.
“I believe research has the power to inspire change and transform lives. Stay curious, always seeking new insights and perspectives. Write with integrity, ensuring that your work reflects honesty and dedication to truth. Take pride in your work, knowing that your efforts contribute to a greater understanding and make a meaningful impact on the world,” says Dr. Huisamen.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)