To further thank and recognise the support from our excellent reviewer community, we are highlighting reviewers who have provided exceptional support to the journal over the past year.
This month, we’ll be highlighting Professor Hiroshi Imahori, Professor Davide Ravelli, Dr. Andrea Fermi and Dr Ming Xian. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.
Professor Hiroshi Imahori, Kyoto University. I am interested in molecular electron donor-acceptor interactions, including in energy conversion such as photosynthesis and organic solar cells.
Dr. Andrea Fermi, Università di Bologna. My research is focused on the design and synthesis of photoactive materials and supramolecular systems, and their application in optoelectronics and in photocatalytic processes.
Professor Davide Ravelli, Universita de Pavia. I work in the field of radical chemistry applied to organic synthesis and is highly interested in the development of methodologies for the functionalization of aliphatic C–H bonds under photocatalytic conditions.
Dr Ming Xian, Brown University. We are interested in developing chemical tools for the regulation of signaling molecules (such as nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfane sulfurs, etc.) in redox biology. These tools include donors, prodrugs, scavengers, and imaging sensors.
What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?
Dr Ming Xian: Chemical Science is one of my favourite journals. I like to publish the most exciting discoveries from my lab in this journal. I enjoy seeing high quality papers and am willing to contribute to the review process.
Professor Hiroshi Imahori: It partially arises from a sense of responsibility to make Chemical Science better as a member of chemistry community. It also comes from my scientific curiosity about something new.
Professor Davide Ravelli: I enjoy reading articles published in Chemical Science, because I can find top-level reports distributed under open-access conditions; acting as a reviewer is my contribution to the further development of the journal.
Dr Andrea Fermi: Chemical Science publishes high-quality research articles that encompass a broad range of disciplines in Chemistry. What I really like about this journal is its hetereogeneity and the avarage quality of the published papers.
What do you enjoy the most about reviewing?
Dr Ming Xian: Getting to know first-hand what my peers are working on and what the most pressing problems are in my research field.
Professor Hiroshi Imahori: I enjoy finding the originality and creativity of papers in terms of science. I also enjoy confidential communication with authors through comments and responses.
Professor Davide Ravelli: As a reviewer, I have the possibility to share my viewpoint with the authors; this is essential towards improving the quality of the published science through a constructive exchange of ideas.
Dr Andrea Fermi: One thing I appreciate about reviewing is the chance to deal with cutting-edge research in many scientific fields. It also allows me to provide a constructive feedback that can help improve the quality and the impact of the research being published.
What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?
Professor Hiroshi Imahori: I am looking for significant scientific advance and/or improvement in either an area of chemistry. At the same time the quality of a paper is essential to ensure author’s claim.
Professor Davide Ravelli: My research area mostly deals with the development of methodologies to be applied in organic chemistry. I am convinced, however, that the synthetic aspects must be accompanied by an adequate understanding of the mechanistic features as well, since only a balanced combination of both can foster a true advancement of the field.
What advice would you give a first-time author looking to maximise their chances of successful peer review?
Dr Ming Xian: Find one or two papers published in this journal that you feel are most similar to your work. Draft your paper in a way that you believe is similar or even at a higher quality than those papers.
What makes a paper truly stand out for you when reviewing a paper?
Dr Andrea Fermi: I think that the attention to details tells a lot about the quality of an article and is at the core of the research displayed in it.
Tune in next month to meet our next group of #ChemSciReviewers!
If you want to learn more about how we support our reviewers, check out our Reviewer Hub.
Interested in joining our ever-growing reviewer community? Apply here now!
