In 2024, TGH reviewers continue to make outstanding contributions to the peer review process. They demonstrated professional effort and enthusiasm in their reviews and provided comments that genuinely help the authors to enhance their work.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding reviewers, with a brief interview of their thoughts and insights as a reviewer. Allow us to express our heartfelt gratitude for their tremendous effort and valuable contributions to the scientific process.
February, 2024
Javier Arredondo Montero, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Spain
February, 2024
Javier Arredondo Montero
Dr. Javier Arredondo Montero, MD, PhD, obtained his medical degree in 2015 at the University of Alcalá and completed his specialty in Pediatric Surgery at the Hospital Universitario de Navarra. He obtained his doctorate with qualification Cum Laude in 2023 (University of Navarra). He was awarded the SANITAS end-of-residency national prize in 2023. He has more than 80 publications in international indexed journals, many of which in first quartile, and has participated as peer reviewer in more than 100 publications. He is currently editorial board member of the World Journal of Pediatric Surgery and Review Editor of Frontiers in Surgery and Frontiers in Pediatrics (Pediatric Surgery section). He is currently leading a multicenter research group related to pediatric acute appendicitis (BIDIAP 2).
TGH: Why do we need peer review? What is so important about it?
Dr. Arredondo: The foundations of quality scientific communications are undergoing drastic changes in recent years. The vertiginous pace at which new advances are being developed and the unhealthy competitiveness that is being fostered in academic environments, together with the emergence of multiple predatory journals, are compromising the quality and integrity of scientific production. Peer review logically presents areas for improvement, but in my opinion, it is the invisible guardian that watches over authentic and quality science in a supportive and global manner.
TGH: What are the qualities a reviewer should possess?
Dr. Arredondo: There are many virtues that can be demanded of a reviewer, but they are all based on the same two pillars: humility and altruism. A reviewer must be a generous person who devotes quality time to the work he/she evaluates without expecting anything in return and must be able to ask for help or inform sincerely when he/she is not qualified.
TGH: Why is it important for a research to apply for institutional review board (IRB) approval? What would happen if this process is omitted?
Dr. Arredondo: The basis of sound scientific work in humans or animals is ethics. Nowadays there is a huge rush to publish, and the evaluation of these committees is perceived in many cases a "funnel" which slows down the studies. This erroneous perception can lead to non-compliance with current ethical requirements. IRBs are essential non-profit multidisciplinary boards which constitute an essential element in the research chain, providing comprehensive oversight of the rights and duties of research participants and ensuring that the research does not violate any ethical or regulatory framework in force. I believe that an important area for improvement is the creation of fluid and simple communication channels between researchers and IRBs, as well as specific training concerning their functions and researcher-IRBs work flows.
(by Lareina Lim, Brad Li)
