Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Anthony Zietman, MD, FASTRO, an endowed professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, officially began his tenure as editor of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology•Biology•Physics (Red Journal), the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) primary research journal, on January 1.

Dr. Zietman and his team of nine senior editors and 38 associate editors follow James Cox, MD, FASTRO, who stepped down last year after 15 years in loyal service to the Red Journal and ASTRO.

"Jim Cox and his staff and senior editors have done a remarkable job over the past 15 years, raising the number of submissions to nearly 2,000 per year and increasing the impact factor to more than 4.5," Dr. Zietman said. "I am humbled yet incredibly excited to take the helm of this journal."

Under Dr. Zietman's tenure, the journal is making several changes that will affect both readers and authors:

• Shortening the time from submission to first decision.

• Reducing the lag from acceptance to publication.

• Switching to double blind review.

• Enhanced disclosure statements.

• Faster turnaround.

• $75 submission fee for clinical manuscripts.

• Improved page layout with a summary box.

• Enhanced online features.

• Cover art submitted by radiation oncology team members.

• Article highlighting best articles outside the Red Journal.

These changes will lead to increased transparency and a more thorough review of articles prior to publication. The journal will also begin publishing more articles online only, which will allow for more science to be published since the print version of the journal has space limitations.

"The Red Journal is ASTRO's flagship publication, and we're excited to work with Dr. Zietman in continuing the great legacy the journal has and in bringing in new ideas and changes that will help the journal to grow," Laura Thevenot, ASTRO CEO, said.

The editorial offices of the Red Journal will also be moved from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to the ASTRO headquarters in Fairfax, Va., where ASTRO has hired a full-time editorial staff to assist Dr. Zietman's team as well as support the Society's new complementary clinical practice journal, Practical Radiation Oncology.

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.

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