Meet the Editor-in-Chief:
Professor Devesh Misra
In this edition of our “Meet the Editor” series, we speak to Devesh Misra, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Nanomedicine. Professor Misra is a distinguished academic leader and a globally recognized expert in the field of metallurgical and materials science and engineering. He is currently Professor in the Department of Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso.
His work has been recognized through numerous awards, honors and patents, including methods for making magnetic nanorods, antimicrobial nanoparticles, and dendritic magnetic nanostructures, which have paved the way for advancements in storage media, biomedical applications, and energy systems.
In addition to his academic and research achievements, Professor Misra has made significant contributions to the scientific community through his editorial work and as a peer reviewer for over 50 journals. His prolific career is reflected in his authorship of several hundred peer-reviewed publications, which continue to guide the next generation of researchers in his field. His passion for advancing knowledge and technology in materials science inclusive of biological materials science continues to drive innovation and excellence in the discipline.
Can you introduce yourself, give us a brief description about who you are, and where you are based in the world.
At present, I am a Professor in the Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso, USA. I received my undergraduate degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), India and PhD in Metallurgy and Materials Science from the University of Cambridge, UK. Prior to joining the University of Texas at El Paso, I was a Stuller Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Founding Director of an inter-/multidisciplinary teaching and research Center for Structural and Functional Materials, that grew into an Institute for Materials Research and Innovation.
My inter-/multidisciplinary research interests include advanced manufacturing of biomedical devices, nanoparticle-systems for drug delivery, antimicrobial systems, super-hydrophobic nanocomposites for wound dressing, nanostructured implants, impact of nanostructured surfaces on protein adsorption, quantum dots for bio-imaging, and bio-nano interactions. My research programs involve the use of a broad spectrum of biomaterials characterization techniques such as electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, X-ray diffraction, EBSD, atomic force microscopy, and mechanical testing, to list a few.
The research contributions with co-workers and collaborators have led to several hundred peer-reviewed journal articles. I serve on the Editorial Board of several journals, and I am a highly active reviewer. A number of institutions and societies have recognized and honoured me for my original scientific contributions that have benefited the society.
In a few sentences, please describe the focus of your work.
One of the primary focuses of my current research is to fundamentally understand the interaction of cells and proteins with nanostructured surfaces. I regularly follow and endeavour to integrate with the research activity of the group some of the recent developments on targeted drug delivery, improved imaging techniques, and innovative platforms for gene therapy and tissue regeneration via biocompatible nanomaterials.
What led you to become the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Nanomedicine, and could you briefly share what your day-to-day role as an editor entails?
The interest in nanomedicine started around 2000, when the research group focused on magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery, particularly, cancer therapy. Since then, we have actively focused on the dissemination of research studies at different platforms including academic institutions, industrial partners, conferences, and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
With a strong passion for research and always eager to know the advances taking place in the field, I was motivated to shoulder the responsibility of Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Nanomedicine. As Editor-in-Chief, I get to know first-hand the research that is being carried out across the globe.
I also ensure that the manuscripts submitted to the journal not only meet the scope of the journal but meet the publication requirements. It is the responsibility of the Editor to ensure that timely and fair review is carried out by experts in the field and submissions are consistent with the scope of the journal. Furthermore, the submissions significantly contribute to the advancement in the field.
The International Journal of Nanomedicine is an Open Access journal. Can you elaborate on the journal’s vision for promoting open access publishing in the field of nanomedicine, and how it can benefit researchers, clinicians, and the broader scientific community?
Open Access is a good approach for making sure that the research studies published in the journal are accessible to everyone, benefiting researchers, clinicians and the broader scientific community. Open Access is an improvement over the traditional approach of subscription by the institutions, who may or may not subscribe to the journal, restricting access to readers. I feel researchers and their respective institutions and funding agencies are now better positioned to facilitate publication in the Open Access journals.
What are some of the key focus areas or emerging research themes that you are keen to highlight and promote through the International Journal of Nanomedicine in the coming years?
In the coming years, we aim to focus on nanocrystalline surface for tissue regeneration and combating infection, nanoengineered implants for bone healing, bioactive nanoclusters and nanogels for delivery of bioactive materials, nanoscale electrodes for neurological disorders, to list a few.
What advice would you give to early-career researchers who are looking to publish their work? What qualities do you look for when evaluating submissions?
I generally encourage early-career researchers to fill the gaps in the knowledge in their endeavour to pursue high quality research by pursuing a thorough literature search. It is important for them to significantly contribute to new knowledge that fills the existing gaps and adopt innovative approaches to develop a mechanistic understanding of the delivery of drug molecules, for instance.
In the evaluation of submissions, we aim to ensure that research presented is novel and preferably not incremental in nature. It is appropriate to conclude by indicating that nanomedicine is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that forms a bridge between basic sciences, particularly biological sciences, with material science.
About the Journal
The International Journal of Nanomedicine is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that reports on all aspects of nanotechnology applications throughout the biomedical field.
Reflecting the relevance of this emerging and rapidly evolving research field, the aim of this journal is to highlight research and development leading to potential clinical applications of nanoparticles in the diagnostics, prevention and treatment of disease.
