In 2024, many AOB authors make outstanding contributions 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 perspective and insightful view as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2024)

Shaughn R. Nalezinski, Concord Hospital, USA

Guillermo José Ruiz-Argüelles, Centro de Hematología y Medicina Interna de Puebla, Mexico

Konstantine Halkidis, University of Kansas Medical Center, USA

Andrés F. Pacheco-Reyes, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Spain

Sheinei Alan, University of Virginia, USA

Zivile Jacike, Public Institution Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic, Lithuania

Fadi G. Haddad, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Filip Radenkovic, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Australia

Outstanding Author

Shaughn R. Nalezinski

Shaughn Nalezinski is a distinguished Clinical Laboratory Scientist and an emerging leader in the field of immunohematology and patient blood management. With a Master of Science in Health Science from George Washington University and ongoing doctoral studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Shaughn has demonstrated a profound commitment to advancing medical science and patient care. His expertise is backed by certifications from the American Society for Clinical Pathology and American Medical Technologists. Currently leading blood bank operations at Concord Hospital, Shaughn has significantly contributed to ensuring safety and efficiency in transfusion practices. His scholarly work, including pivotal publications in The Annals of Blood and Lab Medicine, highlights his focus on evidence-based transfusion thresholds and patient blood management strategies. His recognition as an "outstanding author" and his active role in shaping future medical laboratory professionals underscore his dedication to excellence and innovation in healthcare. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

A good academic paper, in Shaughn’s view, is one that significantly contributes to the field by providing original insights, advancing our understanding, or challenging existing paradigms. It should be well-structured, with a clear hypothesis, robust methodology, and concise conclusions that underscore its contribution to the discipline. Good papers also maintain high standards of integrity and ethical research, are well-cited to acknowledge existing works, and effectively communicate complex ideas in a manner accessible to experts and informed non-specialists.

To Shaughn, the most commonly encountered difficulties in academic writing include: Articulating a clear and novel research question, navigating the vast amount of existing literature to find a unique angle, and maintaining a coherent argument throughout the paper. Another challenge is ensuring the research methods and results are robust and reproducible, which is critical in fields that impact patient care. Furthermore, the peer-review process can be daunting, requiring resilience to feedback and the ability to revise and defend one’s work against critical scrutiny.

“What fascinates me most about academic writing is its power to foster innovation, inspire change, and contribute to humanity's collective knowledge. It's a process through which we can challenge conventional wisdom, propose new ideas, and provide evidence-based solutions to complex problems. My journey in academic writing, especially within the context of patient blood management and transfusion medicine, has allowed me to share my passion and knowledge with a broader audience, ultimately aiming to improve patient care. The prospect of influencing practices, policies, and future research is incredibly motivating. Moreover, academic writing offers a platform for collaboration and intellectual exchange, which enriches our understanding and opens up new avenues for exploration and discovery,” says Shaughn.

(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)

Guillermo José Ruiz-Argüelles

Guillermo José Ruiz-Argüelles, MD, FRCP (Glasg), MACP, DSc (Hc), FRCP, is currently the Director General, Centro de Hematología y Medicina Interna de Puebla, Clinica RUIZ; Director of the Teaching and Research Division of Laboratorios Clínicos de Puebla, Clinica RUIZ (more info here); and Professor of Hematology in the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine (2025) and Hematology (2025). He was elected “Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumnus” in 2011 and “Master of the American College of Physicians” in 2013. He is a co-receptor of the “2017 Distinguished Service Award”, by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR) in 2017. He was elected Doctor in Sciences (Honoris Causa) by the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí in 2017, and appointed Interinstitutional Advisor of the Minister of Health of the State of Puebla, México, in 2019. He is author of 787 papers in international and domestic journals, with 5,980 citations in Research Gate (score 47.8) and Scopus H-index 38. He is author of 81 chapters in books, editor of seven books and co-editor of four. He is once the editor–in–chief of the Revista de Hematologia (México), member of the editorial board of peer-reviewed journals, both domestic (Revista de Investigación Clínica, Medicina Interna de México, Medicina Universitaria, Revista Médica del IMSS, Gaceta Médica de México and De Medicinis Expertis) and foreign (The Lancet Haematology, International Journal of Hematology, Acta Haematologica, Biología & Clínica Hematológica, Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, Revista de Oncología, Hematology/Oncology Stem Cell Therapy and Hematology). A list of his publications can be found here.

A good academic paper, according to Dr. Ruiz-Argüelles, is one that is widely read and quoted. Speaking of the most commonly encountered difficulty in academic writing, he believes it would be grammar and style difficulties for authors whose native language is not English.

“Being able to interact with scientists from all over the world is the most fascinating thing about academic writing,” says Dr. Ruiz-Argüelles.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Konstantine Halkidis

Konstantine Halkidis is an Assistant Professor who works as a hematologist and researcher in the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics of the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Kansas Medical Center in the USA. His clinical focus is on classical/non-malignant hematology with a particular interest in thrombotic microangiopathy, particularly immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP). His research focuses on the pathophysiology of iTTP, specifically regarding the mechanisms by which antibodies that bind to ADAMTS13 affect von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleavage. His recent work has shown that such antibodies can allosterically alter ADAMTS13 domains that are quite distal to their binding sites. This work has shed new light on how such inhibitory antibodies participate in the disease process of iTTP and may lead to better ways to diagnose and treat these patients in the future.

For an academic paper to be good, Dr. Halkidis indicates that it needs to be easy enough to read that someone outside the field of the author(s) can follow the story. Along those lines, figures and tables need to be well organized and legible. Authors should be careful to limit their conclusions to what is supported by the data, and proper control experiments need to be documented. Generally speaking, a good paper is a good story that convinces readers that what the authors are saying is likely true, or at least gets us closer to the truth.

“The best thing to do when asking any scientific question is to ask that question in such a way that no matter what your data say, you have a way forward,” says Dr. Halkidis. As such, he believes it always behooves an investigator to avoid simple yes-or-no questions when designing an experiment or preparing a paper. This kind of thinking not only allows for generating new hypotheses, but also makes for better papers. To him, science is a conversation, and the goal is to move the conversation forward with every paper.

Since science is a conversation, it is most helpful to be able to communicate with one another based on a common set of facts. Data sharing, in Dr. Halkidis’ opinion, is crucial in this regard. The motto that comes to his mind is trust and verify. He explains, “We should always listen to one another when we communicate, but we also need to be able to see each other’s data, to be able to confirm their reliability and reproducibility. As a community, we are much stronger collectively than we are alone. I am a big believer in being as open with one another as possible when it comes to our efforts to expand the depth and breadth of human knowledge.”

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Andrés F. Pacheco-Reyes

Andrés Francisco Pacheco-Reyes obtained his bachelor’s degree in General Medicine at the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) (2009) and then came to Barcelona, Spain, to complete two medical training programs: Family and Community Medicine (2011-2015) at “Florida Sud” Primary Care Center and Intensive Care Medicine (2016-2021) at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. Currently, he works as a Consultant Physician of the Critical Care Department of the hospital. He is particularly interested in the critically ill patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and the monitoring of Mechanical Ventilation (MV). Thus, from his stage of academic training, he has participated in the Respiratory and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) research groups of his center. Moreover, he now leads investigation studies and projects in the Respiratory field and he is undertaking his doctoral study training (PhD). Connect with Dr. Pacheco-Reyes on Twitter/X and Instagram.

Dr. Pacheco-Reyes considers that a good academic paper is one that responds with scientific rigor to a question in routine clinical practice that has not yet been resolved. It must have a well-established methodological structure to avoid confusing factors and to support the results obtained, which must also be well described so that the readers interpret them correctly. In addition, it must be led by researchers with experience and academic interest in the related field. Finally, a good scientific article must show original data that supports truthful conclusions.

In Dr. Pacheco-Reyes’ opinion, avoiding confounding factors is the main challenge in academic writing and focusing on responding to the main objectives of the study is very important. Thus, it takes a lot of time, and perseverance is the most valuable tool to achieve the final product when the work becomes hard. Furthermore, most of the time, it is difficult to select the actual scientific reference information to support one’s academic article and one must be able to distinguish between all the available literature. Summarizing is very important and asking for some help is necessary. He adds, “From the beginning, we must try to maintain the work schedule to achieve the objectives and take into account that there will be delays for any reason and corrections that have to be resolved. Don’t give up, check for errors at each step and be sure that your effort is very valuable.”

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Sheinei Alan

Sheinei Alan completed her MD/PhD in immunology and cell differentiation at Virginia Commonwealth University, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. Currently, she is the Program Director of the Inova Adult Sickle Cell Program and an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Her career focuses on advancing sickle cell disease (SCD) through patient care, provider education, research, and community outreach. She is committed to educating healthcare providers on best practices for SCD management and enhancing care standards. Her research interests include understanding sickle cell cardiac complications, addressing iron overload, and developing disease-modifying therapies.

In Dr. Alan’s opinion, a good academic paper begins with a clear and concise question or observation that addresses a gap in the existing literature—something that has not been explored before. This unique question sets the stage for the study, guiding the research with a sense of purpose and curiosity. The paper should then systematically and thoughtfully pursue answers, employing a well-considered methodology that demonstrates critical thinking and a deep understanding of the subject. Data should be presented transparently, analyzed rigorously, and interpreted thoughtfully, leading to a discussion that goes beyond the data to explore broader implications. The discussion should challenge existing perspectives, encourage new ways of thinking, and pose further questions, sparking deeper reflection and dialogue within the field. Ultimately, a good academic paper does not just report findings; it invites readers to engage critically with the subject, fostering a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Common difficulties in academic writing, according to Dr. Alan, include clearly understanding the research question and articulating how it contributes to existing knowledge and addresses a gap in the field. Authors often struggle to construct a manuscript while anticipating potential reviewer expectations, which can shift the original focus and intent of the paper. Another challenge is avoiding getting lost in excessive details, which can obscure the core findings. Maintaining a balance between presenting data and fostering critical thinking is crucial, ensuring that the discussion not only explains current results but also generates further questions and avenues for investigation.

“Academic writing is fascinating because it involves a blend of discovery, creativity, and critical analysis, allowing for deep exploration of complex topics. It turns curiosity into a structured inquiry that contributes to the body of knowledge, leaving a lasting footprint on a field. The process of formulating a clear research question, gathering evidence, and constructing an argument requires a unique combination of logic and creativity. There's a thrill in unravelling data, drawing connections, and challenging existing perspectives, all while enjoying the freedom to explore science in a way that is deeply personal and rewarding. This impact can be direct, influencing patient care, or indirect, enriching the understanding of a topic and fostering further inquiry. Academic writing invites dialogue within the scholarly community, enabling authors to engage with other experts, question assumptions, and push the boundaries of knowledge, making the pursuit of discovery both impactful and enduring,” says Dr. Alan.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Zivile Jacike

Zivile Jacike serves as laboratory director and medical biologist at the medical laboratory of Public Institution Kaunas City Outpatient Clinic (Kaunas, Lithuania). She is also a quality manager of Quality Management System (ISO 15189:2014) at the same clinic and at Alytaus City Outpatient Clinic. Her research area covers - quality management, process management of laboratory medicine, transfusiology, and molecular biology. She is currently a PhD student at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. She is working on AI tools which could be implemented in blood banks and plasmapheresis centres, and leading projects of LEAN methodology implementation in laboratory diagnostic fields. Her current focus is on plasmapheresis and its effect on donors’ health. Follow Zivile on LinkedIn.

The most essential element of a good academic paper, in Zivile’s view, is novelty. She highlights it is crucial that researchers use creative approach to cope with the existing problems, and think outside the box. On the other hand, she indicates that summarizing is a key to good paper. “One should take more time than one thinks at first. Nothing happens quickly,” adds she.

“I choose to publish in AOB because of the splendid and quick review process - Good recommendations from colleagues!” says Zivile.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Fadi G. Haddad

Dr. Fadi G. Haddad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He has co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications across various fields of hematology and oncology, presented extensively at national and international conferences, and received multiple awards in recognition of this efforts in the hematology field. He was involved in the conception and execution of numerous phase II clinical trials, with a primary focus on chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Follow him on Instagram, X, YouTube and LinkedIn.

In Dr. Haddad’s opinion, for a research paper, it is important to carefully write each section. Introduction should be concise, moving rapidly from a general topic to the focused idea of the manuscript. Authors should stay away from over-expanding the introduction and transforming it into a literature review. Methods should be clearly described with enough details to allow other authors to understand each step taken during the conception of this work and to duplicate the methodology. Results should be described in detail and summarized in tables and figures. Readers should be able to look at the tables and figures and understand the results of the study. Tables and figures should include detailed values and information, with clear legend and abbreviations. Discussion should start by summarizing the main findings of the text without being a replication of the results, followed by comparing the study results to the literature, then including limitations of the study. Finally, authors should conclude with the take-home message of the study with future directions. To him, each manuscript should be well-reviewed by co-authors and undergo language editing to make sure it is comprehensible.

In addition, Dr. Haddad believes data sharing is important in scientific research. It allows other researchers to replicate the study’s findings and verify the results, which enhance the credibility of the research and the scientific process. By sharing the data, researchers can create and foster collaborations which could lead to new discoveries.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Filip Radenkovic

Filip Radenkovic is a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. His research focuses on using recombinant protein technologies to improve clinical testing for potentially dangerous alloantibodies in donor blood products. This research also extends into elucidating the mechanism by which alloantibodies and other blood storage by-products can cause adverse transfusion reactions in recipients (such as transfusion-related acute lung injury). 

The key skill sets of an author, according to Dr. Radenkovic, include clear communication, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Being able to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner is essential.

Biases are inevitable in academic writing. To avoid biases as much as possible, Dr. Radenkovic believes it starts with self-awareness and a commitment to objectivity. To him, it is important to approach research questions with an open mind and let the data guide the conclusions, rather than fitting results into preconceived notions. Engaging with a diverse range of literature and experts can provide multiple perspectives which is essential to reducing one’s own bias. Ultimately, being transparent about the limitations of one’s work leads to better publications and ultimately a greater impact in the field.

“Knowing that my work might contribute to safer transfusions or better diagnostic tools is incredibly rewarding. The field of transfusion medicine is constantly evolving, and being part of that advancement is both exciting and fulfilling. Additionally, the process of discovery and the challenge of solving complex problems keep me engaged and passionate about my work. Sharing findings through academic writing is a way to contribute to collective knowledge and inspire further research,” says Dr. Radenkovic.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)