Archive for the ‘Reviewer Spotlight’ Category

Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – February 2024

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 Dr William Unsworth, Professor Kara Bren, Professor Grace Han and Professor David Harding. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Picture of Dr William Unsworth

Dr William Unsworth, University of York. Dr William Unsworth focused on the development of new method in organic synthesis, with a particular focus on ring expansion reactions, large ring synthesis, spirocycle synthesis and biocatalysis.

 

Picture of Professor Kara Bren

Professor Kara Bren, University of Rochester. Professor Kara Bren’s group is developing systems for artificial photosynthesis. In particular, we focus on creating and studying biomolecular and bioinspired fuel-forming catalysts as well as biological modules for charge transfer.

 

Picture of Professor Grace Han

Professor Grace Han, Brandeis University. Professor Grace Han’s research centers on the interaction of light with organic molecules including photoswitches in condensed phases with the goal of promoting sustainable solar energy storage and efficient industrial chemical recycling.

 

Picture of Professor David Harding

Professor David Harding, Suranaree University of Technology. Professor David Harding’s research is concerned with the design and discovery of molecular magnetic switches with applications in sensing and next generation data storage.

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Professor Grace Han: First off, I enjoy reading and publishing papers in Chemical Science because of its interdisciplinary nature and strong emphasis on novelty, so I also value contributing to the review process as a member of the community.

Professor Kara Bren: When I receive a paper well within my expertise, I am motivated to provide comments that I hope will yield the best possible final publication. I appreciate it when I get constructive comments on my manuscripts from reviewers, and I hope to provide the same to others.

Professor David Harding: Chemical Science publishes insightful studies and has a great reputation for robust, but fair peer review. As it’s Diamond Open Access this really helps those of us who work in developing countries to showcase our work.

Dr William Unsworth: I do my best to review papers for as many journals as I am able, as good peer review is so important across the sciences. Also, as a long term RSC member and elected member of the RSC Organic Community Committee, I always am especially happy to be invited to review for the RSC’s flagship journal!

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Professor Grace Han: Many times I get inspired by the cool ideas and techniques that are illustrated in the manuscripts, and I also have learned a lot by observing how professionally authors respond to the reviewers’ requests by improving the quality of their work.

Dr William Unsworth: Taking the time to read a paper in detail – something I find I have frustrating little time to do outside of reviewing. Having an early preview of exciting new results before they are published is nice too, and it can be very satisfying to see first hand the improvements made to papers as a result of the peer review process.

Professor David Harding: This might sound odd, but I’d say being helpful. I often read papers where there’s a good story there, but it’s hidden. I see it as my job to help the authors tell it, even if I end up recommending against publication in Chemical Science.

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Professor Grace Han: I consider two main factors. (i) Novelty of the research work. (ii) Quality of the research work.

Dr William Unsworth: A good idea, that has been well executed and is well described. I also really value balance in a paper – I am far more likely to accept a paper in which the strengths AND limitations of the research are explained in a clear and open manner.

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Professor Grace Han: I believe that a good paper tells a story that is not only technically rigorous but also inspirational to readers from various backgrounds.

What makes a paper truly stand out for you when reviewing a paper?

Professor Kara Bren: My favorite papers report results that make me say, wow, how did we not think of that before? I especially appreciate work that yields important fundamental advances by taking a creative new approach.

Professor David Harding: The best papers are those that provide new directions in chemistry telling the story of the work in a clear and accessible manner. All too often authors, and reviewers, get lost in the technical details of the study, such that the key findings are lost.

How do you balance reviewing with your other activities?

Dr William Unsworth: With difficulty – the polite reminders sent by patient editorial staff when deadlines are approaching/have been missed certainly help!

What single piece of advice would you give to someone about to write their first review?

Professor Grace Han: I would suggest keeping an open mind when reviewing science that departs from a traditional approach or method. I believe that it is an important role of reviewers to promote innovations.

Did reviewing for Chemical Science affect how you approached preparation of your recent publication with us?

Professor David Harding: Absolutely! I’ve found that reviewing for the journal causes me to more critically assess what I write and ask questions like “Is the data convincing? Are there other interpretations? Is this the clearest way that I can say that?”

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – January 2024

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 Dr Clara García Astrain, Professor Phil Yates, Professor Jianfang Wang and Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

 

Biography image of Dr Clara García Astrain.

Dr Clara García Astrain, CIC biomaGUNE. Dr Clara García Astrain specializes in the development of polymer-based materials, with a particular focus on hydrogels designed for sensing and imaging applications, particularly within the context of 3D cell models.

 

Biography image of Professor Phil Yates.

Professor Phil Yates, Oregon Health & Science University. Professor Phil Yates’s research focuses on two main areas: 1) Developing genome-scale genetic screening platforms for Leishmania parasites, which cause a suite of Neglected Tropical Diseases in humans; and 2) Understanding the roles of long noncoding RNAs and RNA binding proteins in chromosome replication and stability in humans.

 

Biography image of Professor Jianfang Wang.

Professor Jianfang Wang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor Jianfang Wang’s research currently focuses mainly on the use of localized surface plasmon resonance to control the light emissions of two-dimensional materials and to drive the artificial photofixation of nitrogen.

 

Biography image of Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze.

Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze, Johannes Gutenberg-University. Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze’s group develops and investigates novel photoactive or luminescent metal complexes, preferably made from abundant elements. They use state-of-the-art synthesis procedures, ultrafast spectroscopy and high-level quantumchemical calculations.

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Professor Jianfang Wang: There are three main reasons. (i) Chemical Science is a decent journal. It publishes high-quality works. Many of its published papers are related to my own current research interests. (ii) The editors of the journal are very professional. They always send me manuscripts whose topics are highly relevant to my current research interests. (iii) I can learn the newest developments in the research fields that are related to my current research interest.

Professor Phil Yates: I was approached by a Chemical Science editor that was aware of my research interests to review a paper particularly congruent with my expertise. Given the excellent reputation of Chemical Science, and the fact that I routinely scan new issues to learn about cool new chemical biology tools, I was happy to serve as a reviewer.

Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze: The highly interesting topics of the manuscripts and my curiosity to learn more about the latest developments in my field.

Dr Clara García Astrain: Reviewing for Chemical Science allows me to keep up to date with the latest developments not only in my field but also in other research fields and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. Reviewing also enhances my analytical and critical thinking skills, contributing to my growth as a scientist.

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Professor Jianfang Wang: I can learn the newest developments in the research fields that I am interested in.

Dr Clara García Astrain: I like contributing to the scientific community by playing a role in maintaining the quality and integrity of scientific literature. Reviewing also exposes me to diverse methodologies and perspectives, expanding my understanding of different approaches to research. I also find rewarding to guide authors towards improving their work.

Professor Phil Yates: I really enjoy learning about new science and taking a deep dive into a topic that is not my own research for a change. Like many researchers, I don’t necessarily have time to thoroughly digest every paper I read. However, when I’m reviewing a paper I carefully read every section (often several times), dissect every figure, and explore multiple background papers. I always learn something new as part of the review process.

Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze: Personally, I like most to deeply dive into a novel aspect of research, to learn about novel results and to follow the author’s line of arguments.

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Prof. Dr. Katja Heinze: Identify a problem and then try to describe the way how the problem was solved in clear concise fashion.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Professor Jianfang Wang: I consider two main factors. (i) Novelty of the research work. (ii) Quality of the research work.

Dr Clara García Astrain: I prioritize assessing the novelty and significance of the work, ensuring its relevance to the Chemical Science readership. The paper should be original and contribute to the field of research. Then, I also consider the way the study was carried out in terms of methodology and the strong alignment between data and results. Lastly, clarity is a must to effectively communicate the results and their implications to the audience.

 

What would you recommend to new reviewers to ensure their report is helpful?

Professor Phil Yates: I would advise new reviewers to follow the “Reviewer’s Golden Rule”: critique others as you would like others to critique you. An important part of this, at least for me, is to try to provide constructive criticism rather than simply point out weaknesses. For example, if a conclusion made by the authors is not sufficiently supported by the data, clearly explain why not and provide examples of the types of data or experiments required. It may seem obvious, but we’ve all had vague and unhelpful reviews. Strive to be the kind of reviewer that makes papers better; don’t just look for reasons to reject a manuscript.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Dr Clara García Astrain: I think by biggest learning point from reviewing is to develop critical evaluation skills and identify strengths and weaknesses. I have also learned to improve my communication skills to provide constructive feedback to authors in a clear and supportive manner.

 

How do you balance reviewing with your other activities?

Professor Jianfang Wang: I turn down manuscript review invitations from journals to which I have never submitted any manuscripts. I ask for the extension of the report due date when I am busy with my other duties.

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – December 2023

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 Haoxing Wu, Dr Jennifer Garden, Professor Kanyi Pu and Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Professor Haoxing Wu, Sichuan University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Haoxing Wu, Sichuan University. Professor Haoxing Wu’s research focuses on developing bioorthogonal tools and applying them to theranostic applications.

 

Dr Jennifer Garden, University of Edinburgh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Jennifer Garden, University of Edinburgh. Dr Garden’s research uses chemistry and catalysis to improve the sustainability of polymers and plastics. This ranges from investigating renewable feedstocks to making new materials, and is underpinned by the development of catalytic processes.

 

Professor Kanyi Pu, Nanyang Technological University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Kanyi Pu, Nanyang Technological University. Professor Kanyi Pu’s research interests involve creating special molecular spies that give out specific signals to help doctors spot diseases early and treat them in a personalised way, tailored specifically to each patient.

 

Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá, University of Leicester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá, University of Leicester. Dr Rodriguez-Macia’s group focuses on studying how energy-conversion reactions such as H2 production and CO2 reduction happen in nature to develop new and more efficient bioinspired catalysts and artificial metalloenzymes for sustainable chemistry.

 

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Dr Jennifer Garden: I very much enjoy reading articles in Chemical Science, and the review process is an excellent way to find out about cutting-edge developments in my field. Reviewing manuscripts is also a way to contribute to the chemistry community, and the review process helps me to think about the science from a different perspective.

Professor Kanyi Pu: I am motivated to review for Chemical Science because (a) it is a reputable journal known for publishing exceptional research, spanning both fundamental and applied chemistry; and (b) I wanted to contribute to the scientific community by sharing my expertise and insights in the field of chemistry.

Professor Haoxing Wu: Chemical Science is a comprehensive journal in the field of chemistry, showcasing cutting-edge research findings.

Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá: I believe that as a researcher of today, reviewing papers is an important duty to the scientific community. It also allows me to be up to date with the literature, and to be exposed to different scientific perspectives.

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Professor Haoxing Wu: During the review process, I not only get to stay updated on the latest research findings, but also take pleasure in witnessing the improvement in paper quality.

Professor Kanyi Pu: What I find most fulfilling in the reviewing process is the chance to explore cutting-edge research in my field and the satisfaction of contributing to the scholarly community by providing valuable feedback to enhance the quality and impact of authors’ work.

Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá: To be able to read and enjoy the latest scientific advances and to provide constructive feedback on the work. I particularly enjoy seeing that my feedback is implemented and helps to improve the quality of the paper. It is a truly rewarding experience!

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Dr Jennifer Garden: In addition to good quality and innovative science, I think it is important to carefully consider what your most impactful results are, and to write the narrative in a way that emphasises their importance within the context of your work, your field and the broader chemistry community.

Dr Patricia Rodríguez Maciá: To ensure that the presented work is original and cutting edge, and very importantly, that it is a solid piece of work and well-reproducible. I find that it is key to explain your findings in a non-specific language easy-to-follow for the general chemistry audience. In this way researchers outside your immediate field can also clearly understand the work, thus reaching a wider audience/readership.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Professor Haoxing Wu: I look for papers that present groundbreaking discoveries in the field of chemistry while also demonstrating a systematic and rigorous approach in their research.

How has your approach to peer reviewing changed over time?

Professor Kanyi Pu: Over time, my peer review approach has evolved. Initially, I emphasised finding flaws, but now I focus on constructive feedback, balancing positives and areas for improvement. I’ve grown more empathetic toward authors, aiming to help them understand strengths and opportunities for manuscript enhancement.

 

What single piece of advice would you give to someone about to write their first review?

Dr Jennifer Garden: Read the paper with a focus. I try to write a summary of the paper as I read it, to think about whether the topic and level of novelty is suitable for the journal, and to consider whether the scientific evidence fully supports the claims made in the paper. When I first started, I felt a little nervous about reviewing but it gets quicker and easier with experience.

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – November 2023

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 Mariateresa Giustiniano, Professor Malcolm Halcrow, Professor Marina Petrukhina and Professor Ken Tanaka. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Professor Mariateresa Giustiniano, University of Naples Federico II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Mariateresa Giustiniano, University of Naples Federico II. Mariateresa’s research interests involve the development of green multicomponent synthetic methods mainly involving isocyanides, the study of their reactivities in visible light promoted reactions, and their application to identify new anticancer therapeutics.

 

Professor Malcolm Halcrow, University of Leeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Malcolm Halcrow, University of Leeds. Malcolm is interested in switchable metal complexes and materials derived from them. Crystal engineering of spin-crossover compounds is a particular focus.

 

Professor Marina Petrukhina, University at Albany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Marina Petrukhina, University at Albany. Professor Marina Petrukhina’s research interests span from synthetic and structural inorganic chemistry of transition metals and main group elements to coordination, organometallic and supramolecular chemistry of novel curved and twisted molecular nanographenes with different carbon frameworks.

 

Professor Ken Tanaka, Tokyo Institute of Technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Ken Tanaka, Tokyo Institute of Technology. Tanaka’s research is focused on the development of novel transition metal catalysts and synthetic organic reactions and their application to the construction of beautiful novel structures.

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Professor Ken Tanaka: Peer review is part of my service to the community, and I hope it helps to improve the quality of the papers. I, myself, have received many useful suggestions from reviewers and have been able to improve the quality of my papers.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Professor Marina Petrukhina: I look for a full package: new and exciting results, solid justification, great scientific storytelling, quality illustrations, and broad outcomes…Adding some edge to the discussion of results which could stimulate further thinking and open new research directions is always a plus!

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Professor Malcolm Halcrow: If you set out an interesting problem in the Introduction, make sure your results address that goal logically and thoroughly. Present your work clearly, so the reader doesn’t have to work hard to see the experiments worked as you describe.

 

Are there any steps that reviewers can undertake to improve the quality of their review?

Professor Malcolm Halcrow: Look at the prior literature, to see if the authors have put their work properly in context. Look beyond errors in the text or the details, if the underlying concept is original and interesting. Where criticism is necessary, make sure it’s constructive.

 

How has your approach to peer reviewing changed over time?

Professor Marina Petrukhina: I try to allocate sufficient time to act as a critical scientific reviewer first and then switch and read/refine my review from the author perspective; the stepped approach helps to make sure that all recommendations are constructive and useful for the authors.

 

What do you most enjoy about reviewing?

Professor Ken Tanaka: Peer review gives me first-hand access to the world’s most cutting-edge research.

Professor Mariateresa Giustiniano: Reviewing a manuscript makes you one of the first people to read about a new discovery. That’s exciting but also a great responsibility. I most enjoy trying to understand the story behind the new findings, how the authors reasoned to get there, how hard, and how long it was. I have a deep respect for the time and the efforts of the human beings behind the authors’ names.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Professor Mariateresa Giustiniano: Reviewing helps you to never stop learning!

 

Check 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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – October 2023

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 Dr Elisabeth Prince, Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel, Dr Manuel Nappi and Professor John Murphy. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Dr Elisabeth Prince

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Elisabeth Prince, University of Waterloo. In Dr Elisabeth Prince’s lab, they study the interplay between the architecture of polymer networks and their functional properties. They leverage their knowledge to improve the recyclability of polymer networks and to create biomimetic hydrogels for healthcare.

 

Dr Manuel Nappi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Manuel Nappi, University of Santiago de Compostela. Dr Manuel Nappi’s group is dedicated to the invention of new sustainable chemical transformations at the interface of synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and material science. Currently, they are working on the metal-free conversion of simple organic feedstocks into valuable molecules using visible light.

 

Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel’s group focuses on the development of electrochemical processes for water splitting, CO2 reduction, and bio- as well as organoelectrochemical processes, spanning from catalyst development to establishing pilot plant systems.

 

Professor John Murphy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor John Murphy, University of Strathclyde. Professor John Murphy is interested in organic reaction mechanisms and particularly those related to radicals and radical ions.

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Dr Elisabeth Prince: Reviewing is important service to the scientific community, and it’s always more enjoyable to do that service when the articles are at the cutting edge. The articles I’ve read and reviewed in Chemical Science have been interdisciplinary, innovative, and very engaging, which makes my job as the reviewer fun.

Dr Manuel Nappi: Chemical Science is the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, publishing cutting-edge science. As reviewer and author, I am happy and honoured to help maintain and improve this exceptional level.

Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel: I understand reviewing to be an essential part of my duty to the community. Moreover, it provides me with the opportunity to collaborate with authors, enhancing the quality of their work, and it also helps me develop the skills needed to write excellent research papers from different perspectives.

Professor John Murphy: The relevance of the papers to my interests and the quality of papers published by the journal.

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Professor John Murphy: The ability to see the very latest advances and, hopefully, to provide helpful feedback to the authors.

Dr Elisabeth Prince: I love seeing my feedback improve the quality of an article, whether it be by improving how its communicated or by clarifying the results. It’s very rewarding to help make the author’s work shine. 

Dr Manuel Nappi: The most exciting part of reviewing for Chemical Science is the opportunity to read groundbreaking science before publication and contribute for its improvement.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Dr Manuel Nappi: Originality and novelty are the keystones for a publication in Chemical Science. The authors should clearly explain how the chemistry differs from the state of the art, highlighting the innovative aspects of their work.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Dr Elisabeth Prince: Reviewing reminds me to think like a reviewer when writing my own papers. I always try to take a step back from my paper and think about what I would bring up as the reviewer.

 

What advice would you give a first-time author looking to maximise their chances of successful peer review?

Professor Ulf-Peter Apfel: Ensure that your scientific work presents robust evidence through well-reproducible experiments, while maintaining an easy-to-follow narrative that showcases your enthusiasm without exaggerating the significance of your findings.

 

 

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!

 

 

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – September 2023

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 Dr Sascha Feldmann, Professor Scott Cockroft, Dr Xiyue Zhang and Professor Chuan He. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

Dr Sascha Feldmann, Harvard University. Dr Sascha Feldmann’s team combines ultrafast magneto-optical spectroscopy and materials chemistry to transform the way we produce and consume energy as a society. They work on uncovering the design rules which enable the next generation of cheap, efficient and flexible solar cells & ultra-bright displays, and unlock entirely new applications in quantum information technology.

 

 

Professor Scott Cockroft

Professor Scott Cockroft, University of Edinburgh. Professor Scott Cockroft’s group uses synthetic molecules and computational chemistry to study the origins and energetics of the interactions between molecules that make them stick together (or not!). They seek to exploit these chemical principles to construct devices from synthetic and biological molecules that can perform tasks within lipid membranes such as those surrounding living cells.

 

 

Dr Xinyue Zhang

Dr Xiyue Zhang, University of Maryland. Dr Xiyue Zhang’s research mainly focuses on electrolytes and electrodes for Li-/Na-/Zn- ion batteries and supercapacitors.

 

 

Professor Chuan He

Professor Chuan He, Southern University of Science and Technology. Professor Chuan He’s research is focused on chiral organosilicon and chiral organoboron chemistry. They are particularly interested in the construction and application of silicon-stereogenic silanes and boron-stereogenic compounds.

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Dr Sascha Feldmann: I really enjoy that reviewing a paper actually forces me to read a paper from beginning to end, thoroughly and with a critical assessment mode activated. This to be is quite different from just skimming through some published reports to search for a specific piece of information and more often than not allows me to learn something new and unexpected.

Professor Scott Cockroft: The chance to be the first to read cutting-edge research on a topic of close personal interest.

Dr Xiyue Zhang: It’s happy to get in touch with the advanced level of research in the world and see the quality of the manuscript improved through the review process.

Professor Chuan He: It is always exciting to get first-hand information on the new and cutting-edge science from reviewing.

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Dr Sascha Feldmann: Chemical Science for me is one of the flagship journals to find cutting edge results in the broad field of the Chemical Sciences, from fundamental synthesis reports to spectroscopy studies and device applications. Having done my PhD at Cambridge and therefore growing up with the RSC as a premier publisher in the UK, it feels only natural to now be part of the reviewing process as well.

Professor Scott Cockroft: Peer reviewing is a cornerstone of academic integrity within science. It is therefore a duty that anyone contributing to science should fulfil. I tend to agree to review articles when I am particularly interested in the topic of the submitted paper.

Dr Xiyue Zhang: Chemical Science is dedicated to publishing ground-breaking research involving novel ideas, challenging questions and progressive thinking. Review is not only a way for me to serve the community, but also a way to connect with other world leading scientists and contribute to future breakthrough.

Professor Chuan He: Chemical Science is a high-quality journal that publishes world-leading interdisciplinary research from every aspect of chemistry.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Dr Sascha Feldmann: A paper that I would recommend for acceptance in Chem Sci should above all have novelty. There are other fantastic journals inside and outside the RSC where I would find a good home for a thorough follow-up investigation on an existing project, but Chem Sci I would reserve more for those new out-of-the-box type of results to share with a broad community.

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Professor Scott Cockroft: Take your reader on journey of discovery. Propose hypotheses and systematically and critically test these hypotheses against your data. The result should be that we all arrive at the same convincing conclusion.

 

What advice would you give a first-time author looking to maximise their chances of successful peer review?

Dr Xiyue Zhang: Novel ideas, rigorous logic, and solid data.

Professor Chuan He: The author should ensure that the manuscript is well-written, logical, and follows the journal’s guidelines. Highlighting the key novelty of the work, and preparing elegant and clear figures are important. Carefully and thoroughly addressing any comments provided by the reviewers and editors during the peer review process is also crucial.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Dr Sascha Feldmann: If I had to limit myself to one thing I really have started to appreciate since beginning to review, it is that clarity in writing is of utmost importance. Even if I may qualify as an expert reader and therefore have been chosen as a reviewer, my access to a scientific story will always be much more limited than that of the group who wrote the manuscript and is therefore in a deep dive that is hard to reach. Therefore, explaining your results in a simple way and with a clear writing style is something I learned myself from reviewing and try to apply to my own works as much as possible.

 

What would you recommend to new reviewers to ensure their report is helpful?

Professor Scott Cockroft: Make sure you leave enough time to properly read and understand the paper; there is nothing more frustrating than having to respond to reviewer comments that are already addressed in the paper, or based on wild misunderstandings/poor comprehension.

 

How do you balance reviewing with your other activities?

Dr Xiyue Zhang: Try to avoid procrastinating on either reviewing or other tasks. It’s essential to find a balance between productivity and relaxation.

 

Did reviewing for Chemical Science affect how you approached preparation of your recent publication with us?

Professor Chuan He: I do believe reviewing for Chemical Science provides me with valuable perspectives and experiences that shape my approach and enhance the quality of my own publication within the same journal. Putting yourself in the shoes of a reviewer is always helpful when you are preparing your own manuscript.

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – August 2023

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 Dr Meredith Borden, Dr Isabelle Landrieu, Dr Mattia Silvi and Professor Kazuaki Ishihara. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Dr Meredith Borden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Meredith Borden, Trinity University. Dr Meredith Borden works to develop new catalytic strategies for controlling polymer synthesis with visible light, and is interested in applying ideas from small molecule catalysis to challenges in polymer science.

 

Dr Mattia Silvi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Mattia Silvi, University of Nottingham. Dr Mattia Silvi’s research focuses on discovering new practical and sustainable methodologies for chemical synthesis. His group is currently developing novel visible-light mediated strategies to access reactivity that was previously elusive.

 

Dr Isabelle Landrieu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Isabelle Landrieu, University of Lille. Dr Isabelle Landrieu is interested in the tau protein, with a focus on its phosphorylation and interactions, towards the understanding of its dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease development using approaches at the interface of biology and chemistry.

 

Professor Kazuaki Ishihara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Kazuaki Ishihara, Nagoya University. Professor Kazuaki Ishihara’s research is focused on the rational design of high-performance catalysts based on acid–base combination chemistry. In particular, he is interested in the catalytic use of halogen elements instead of transition metal or rare metal elements to design greener redox catalysts.

 

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Dr Meredith Borden: Reviewing gives me an opportunity to think deeply about chemistry. I appreciate the privilege of being one of the first people who has the opportunity to engage with the new and exciting research my peers are performing.

Dr Mattia Silvi: Reviewing is an opportunity to open a scientific discussion. When you review a paper, your suggestions and recommendations become part of the work. You provide a different perspective, which may complement the vision of the authors. This may lead to a significant enhancement of the overall quality of the work. It’s great to see the positive impact of your suggestions.

Dr Isabelle Landrieu: I enjoy the critical analysis that it requires. I like to confront my report to those of other reviewers of the manuscript to improve my own skills. I appreciate when I have the ability to contribute to the quality of the published article.

Professor Kazuaki Ishihara: The review of high-quality manuscripts submitted to Chem. Sci. provides an opportunity to explore new chemistry and think deeply.

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Dr Mattia Silvi: Chemical Science aims at publishing top-quality innovations in chemistry. As a scientist working in the field, I am happy to provide my contribution to help to maintain and enhance this outstanding level.

Dr Meredith Borden: I always enjoy reading the papers published in Chemical Science because of the breadth of chemistry they highlight so I was eager to support the journal as a reviewer. 

Professor Kazuaki Ishihara: Most manuscripts submitted to Chem. Sci. are expected to be of high quality and I enjoy reading and reviewing them. I am happy to be able to review manuscripts and contribute to making them better ones.

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Dr Isabelle Landrieu: For me a good paper is an argumentation consolidated by each presented rigorous experiment. I like the clarity of a single line of thought that develops an innovative idea with impact of the findings well-developed by the authors.

 

What advice would you give a first-time author looking to maximise their chances of successful peer review?

Dr Mattia Silvi: Originality and innovation are essential for an excellent scientific report. The first page of the paper should clearly and concisely show the originality of the paper and explain how it stands in comparison with the state-of-the-art. Images and schemes should be properly used for this purpose. Furthermore, it is fundamental that the technical aspects of the paper are well presented and correct.

Finally, probably the most valuable recommendation I can give is: discuss, discuss, discuss… Chat with your colleagues prior to submission. Let them review your draft submission. Be available to do this for them when they need it. Make sure that people reviewing your draft are honest in giving their opinion. Good science is often the result of good communication.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Dr Meredith Borden: I have learned more how to present science clearly and succinctly both in the written portions of a paper and how to create captivating figures. Reviewing has really cemented for me the idea that when writing a paper, you want to make it easy for the reader to follow through clear organization and alignment of text, figures, and references.

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – July 2023

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!

 

 

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – June 2023

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 Masha Kamenetska, Sarah Pike, Lutz Ackermann and Timothy Noel. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

 

Masha Kamenetska, Boston University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masha Kamenetska, Boston University. Professor Kamenetska’s lab is pursuing experimental approaches to uncover structure-function relationships in single molecule systems with a focus on charge transport and force measurements of metal-molecule junctions.

 

Sarah Pike, University of Birmingham.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Pike, University of Birmingham. Dr Pike’s research is in the field of synthetic supramolecular chemistry and focuses on the creation of new helical oligomers (foldamers) that adopt well-defined secondary structures in solution. They are particularly interested in exploring new methods for controlling their folding behaviour and in investigating their ability to function as responsive sensors and catalysts.

 

Lutz Ackermann, University of Göttingen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lutz Ackermann, University of Göttingen. The development and application of novel concepts for sustainable catalysis constitutes Professor Ackermann’s major current research interests. He is fascinated by molecular transformations enabled through the activation of strong (C-H) bonds and applying environmentally-benign electricity to drive chemical reactions.

 

Timothy Noel, University of Amsterdam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy Noel, University of Amsterdam. Dr Noel is a researcher in the field of synthetic organic chemistry and technology, with a particular interest in the delicate synergy between the two fields.

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Sarah Pike: Chemical Science is a top tier journal, and one that I read regularly as it publishes a lot of exciting and high quality work that is relevant to my group’s research interests, so it is a real pleasure to review for this journal.

Lutz Ackermann: To me, reviewing is a valuable service to the scientific community.  By reviewing manuscripts, I can actively contribute to maintaining the integrity and quality of scientific publications. At the same time, I can sharpen my critical thinking and analytical skills.

Timothy Noel: Chemical Science stands out as a top-tier journal in the field of chemistry, and its innovative diamond open access strategy is truly unparalleled. The community should rally behind this initiative to ensure the success of this exceptional publication.

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Masha Kamenetska: I enjoy the debate that occurs between the authors, myself and other reviewers in the course of a review process.

Sarah Pike: Being one of the first people to see new and cutting-edge science is exciting and occasionally being able to offer additional insight to the authors is really rewarding.

Lutz Ackermann: Reviewing manuscripts enables me to engage with the latest scientific findings. It offers an opportunity to delve into diverse topics, learn about different methods and tools.

Timothy Noel: What I enjoy most about reviewing papers for journals is the opportunity to support the best work in the field and contribute to maintaining the highest standards of quality. I take pride in providing constructive feedback that can help improve the manuscript, and ultimately enhance the value of the publication.

 

What are you looking for in a paper that you can recommend for acceptance in Chemical Science?

Timothy Noel: What I appreciate most in papers that get accepted is a combination of meticulous attention to detail and originality. I enjoy reviewing manuscripts that have a well-developed substrate scope, detailed mechanistic studies, and other technical aspects that have been executed with precision. At the same time, I also value papers that offer a fresh perspective or novel insights into a particular field. I find that this balance between technical excellence and innovative ideas is what makes a manuscript truly exceptional and deserving of publication.

 

Do you have any advice to our readers seeking publication in Chemical Science on what makes a good paper?

Lutz Ackermann: Ensure that your research presents a novel and significant contribution to the field. Meaningful figures are becoming increasingly important also. Clearly articulate the unique aspects of your findings and explain how it advances the existing knowledge.

Masha Kamenetska: A good paper is clearly written and has a good narrative. It provides details about methods and measurements, but also provides a broader perspective on the implications of the findings.

 

What makes a paper truly stand out for you when reviewing a paper?

Sarah Pike: In my opinion, a paper truly stands out when the science is excellent, the experiments well designed and the concept of the work is cutting-edge. Additionally, I look for thorough data analysis and good clear figures in the paper that better help the reader to understand the work.

 

Did reviewing for Chemical Science affect how you approached preparation of your recent publication with us?

 

Timothy Noel: My experience reviewing for Chemical Science has definitely influenced how I approach preparing manuscripts for publication. When submitting a paper to a journal, I make a real effort to adhere to the house style and ensure that our work is a good fit for the journal. I firmly believe that a successful submission requires meeting the standards of the target publication, and this includes factors such as technical rigor, clarity of presentation, and adherence to the journal’s guidelines. By reviewing for Chemical Science, I gained valuable insights into what the editors and reviewers look for in a manuscript, and this knowledge has helped me to fine-tune my approach to manuscript preparation and submission.

 

What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Masha Kamenetska: Something I have learned in the course of reviewing is that writing a thorough, well-reasoned and considered review is hard work so I am always grateful to receive careful reviews of my own work.

 

What would you recommend to new reviewers to ensure their report is helpful?

Sarah Pike: I always give a paper a quick first read to gauge its relevance and impact to the field before going over it in much greater detail ahead of writing my report. It is important to remember to be kind when engaging with the reviewing process as the authors will have put a lot of time and energy into the study. My advice is to be constructive but kind.

 

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!

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Chemical Science Reviewer Spotlight – May 2023

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 Owen Curnow, Jenny Zhang, Shuichi Hiraoka and Niveen Khashab. We asked our reviewers a few questions about what they enjoy about reviewing, and their thoughts on how to provide a useful review.

Image of Owen Curnow

Owen Curnow, University of Canterbury. Professor Curnow’s research focusses on novel materials, most recently ionic liquids (and their applications). He also has an interest in simple inorganic species such as polyhalides and chloride hydrates.

 

Image of Jenny Zhang

Jenny Zhang, University of Cambridge. Dr Zhang’s team develops new toolsets to more effectively exchange energy with living systems, in particular those that perform photosynthesis. They do this to probe into complex biological processes, and to build green energy generation technologies.

 

Image of Shuichi Hiraoka

Shuichi Hiraoka, University of Tokyo. Professor Hiraoka’s research interests are in revealing molecular self-assembly mechanisms to find general principles underlying self-assembly, and in the kinetic control of self-assembly to generate complicated, metastable assemblies that cannot be obtained under thermodynamic control.

 

Image of Niveen Khashab

Niveen Khashab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Professor Khashab’s research focuses on the design and synthesis of stimuli responsive materials that utilise self-assembly and molecular recognition to be used in smart encapsulations, separations, and composites.

 

 

What encouraged you to review for Chemical Science?

Jenny Zhang: I have a lot of respect for Chemical Science as a journal. It publishes work that is truly value-adding and of high standard, rather than work that is trendy or easy to sell. I feel honoured to play a role in helping it to maintain its high integrity and standing.

Shuichi Hiraoka: Peer review is one of the important activities in science to improve research and papers by receiving opinions from other researchers. I look forward to the papers submitted to Chemical Science because they give me a glimpse of new trends in chemistry.

Niveen Khashab: Chemical Science always publishes cutting edge research and it is a journal that I strive to publish in as well so really reviewing for Chemical Science is a treat!

 

What do you enjoy most about reviewing?

Owen Curnow: Learning about the latest research, but also the intellectual challenge of critically assessing a manuscript.

Shuichi Hiraoka: The level of papers submitted to Chemical Science is high, so of course I enjoy the content of the papers themselves, but I sometimes enjoy thinking about what other experiments I would come up with if I were one of the authors of this paper, and what other conclusions I could draw from the results.

Niveen Khashab: The story! Manuscripts that take you through their story and their data are the best and easiest to follow.

 

What makes a paper truly stand out for you when reviewing a paper?

Owen Curnow: Aside from the novelty, competency and clarity of the work, honesty in the authors presentation and critical assessment of their own work. A conclusion that also identifies any uncertainties and deficiencies that can lead to further research.

Shuichi Hiraoka: While novelty and impact go without saying, I would like to especially recommend the publication of papers that are not bound by current trends in chemistry but are expected to contribute to the future development of chemistry, such as the establishment or discovery of new concepts, methods, or principles.

 

What advice would you give a first-time author looking to maximise their chances of successful peer review?

Jenny Zhang: Take time to make clear, well balanced, and easy-to-understand figures. Figures are the most important features of a paper, and some people will not bother reading the text. Producing effective figures (to show results) and schemes (to explain results) that are concise yet communicates necessary details should be prioritised.

Niveen Khashab: Keep it simple! We have probably heard this line a million times but really this works! Also invest more in figures and visuals as this can make the science more visible.

 

How do you typically prepare to write a review for Chemical Science?

Owen Curnow: When writing the report I start with a very brief description of the work and then summarise how competent the experimental work appears to be and whether the manuscript is well-written or not. I will then detail any major issues. Checking that the discussion and conclusions make sense in terms of the results is critical. I will then summarise my reason(s) for rejecting or accepting the manuscript. If I’m going to reject a paper, I will make suggestions on how it can be improved for publication in this or some other journal. I list the minor corrections at the end.

 

Are there any steps that reviewers can undertake to improve the quality of their review?

Jenny Zhang: I find it highly valuable to involve students and/or postdocs in the review. After everyone has reached a decision, I like to have a discussion together about the strengths and weaknesses of the paper. It’s a good learning experience for them to better understand how to judge the quality of a piece of work and how to write a paper. I find that they would often read the paper more carefully and in complementary ways to me and will pick up all sort of things that I would have otherwise missed.

 

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!

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