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

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)