Since 2016, JCI Insight has published ground-breaking biomedical research that contributes to the understanding of the biology and/or treatment of disease. That focus – befitting a journal owned and published by the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), an honorary scientific society comprised of physician-scientists from all medical specialties – has been championed by its previous editorial hosts, Duke University and, most recently, the University of Michigan, since the journal’s inception.  

And now, the University of Pittsburgh will serve as editorial host for the journal for the next five years following a nationwide search. 

“The ASCI holds, in the field of medicine, around the world but particularly in the U.S., a huge reputation,” said Oliver Eickelberg, MD. “Our constituency is the physician-scientists across the world. We want to serve them by publishing the best science.” 

As the journal’s new editor-in-chief, Eickelberg is confident that the University of Pittsburgh will see the journal’s impact rise. His 20 years of editorial experience, including most recently serving as associate editor of the prestigious American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, coupled with an editorial board of over 30 faculty representing disciplines across the health sciences will ensure the high standards of the journal continue during Pitt’s editorship over the next five years. 

But JCI Insight’s journey to Pittsburgh didn’t start with Eickelberg. Rather, it all began with a simple email from Renal-Electrolyte Division Chief, Thomas Kleyman, MD. Shortly after receiving the ASCI’s call for applications, Kleyman emailed Eickelberg, as well as Mark Geraci, MD, from the Dean’s Office, Alison Morris, MD, MS, from Pulmonary, and Terry Dermody, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics: 

 “Would be great if the journal’s new home was at Pitt.”  

That was all that was needed to get the DOM juggernaut activated. Eickelberg took the reins and, with the support of the Dean’s Office, assembled a powerhouse team of faculty from the Departments of Immunology, Neurobiology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, and–of course–Medicine. After an initial review of applications, the Pitt team was invited to present their vision for the journal at the ASCI’s annual meeting in April. Once the ballots were cast, Pitt emerged victorious.   

Benjamin Humphreys, who served as the chair of the committee, said that Eickelberg “presented a compelling vision for leading JCI Insight” with “a great team to implement it.” 

That vision includes new initiatives including improving the journal’s social media presence; publishing themed issues coordinated with JCI Insight’s sister journal, The Journal of Clinical Investigation; and Short Reports, a new submission category meant to highlight the work of early-stage investigators. Additionally, to better integrate ASCI Early Career awardees and aid in their career development, recipients of recent Young Physician-Scientist Awards (YPSA) and Emerging-Generation Awards (E-Gen) will serve as associate editors.  

In August, JCI Insight’s staff editors, Sarah Jackson, PhD, and Corrine Williams, PhD, visited Pitt and the new editorial board to discuss the transition and Eickelberg’s ambitious goal to elevate the journal’s standing while streamlining the review process. Currently, JCI Insight publishes twice a month with about 20 articles in each issue; the journal typically receives over 2,000 submissions a year. The peer-review process for the journal currently takes roughly 33 days, but Eickelberg hopes to not only reduce that time, but also make the process more transparent.

“We will do our best to enhance the interaction between authors, our board, and the executive team at JCI Insight and strive to make scientific publishing with JCI Insight a seamless and rapid experience,” says Eickelberg. “In simple terms: If you want to publish your excellent research fast to be the first, talk to us.”

>> Read Dr. Eickelberg’s inaugural editorial, “Go, Flight.”