The next 20 years of <i>Medicinal Research Reviews</i>
Authors: Amanda E. Hargrove
Journal: Medicinal Research Reviews (2019)

I am honored to be the next Editor-in-Chief of Medicinal Research Reviews, which under the stewardship of Professor Binghe Wang, has become a premier review journal in the field of medicinal chemistry. Over the last 20 years, Prof Wang has dramatically increased the visibility and impact of the journal, and this inspires me to work diligently to further enhance the stature of MMR. As Prof Wang mentioned in his editorial, I am at a similar early career stage as when he assumed the Editor-in-Chief role. I am confident that Professor Wang's mentorship along with my networks in both academia and industry will ensure that this journal continues to represent the most exciting and compelling work in the field. Indeed, as I move to the next stage of my career, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to impact the medicinal chemistry field at this level and to contribute unique ideas and perspectives. My background in molecular recognition and physical organic chemistry, followed by the transition of these principles to activity in animal models of disease, gives me insights into many facets of medicinal chemistry and biosensor development. In my independent career, I have pursued small molecule RNA targeting and have encountered first-hand the excitement and potential pitfalls of operating in a field that is rapidly transitioning from the impossible to drug approval. I look forward to utilizing my combined experiences and building a team of Associate Editors and Editorial Board members that provide diverse viewpoints and varied fields of expertise while also representing a wide swath of industries and institutions, career stages, and geographical locations. As Prof Wang also mentions, the pharmaceutical landscape has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. As the field evolves, we are continuously reimagining what a drug should look like and what molecules or even processes make the best targets. I look forward to participating in these changes as Editor-in-Chief of Medicinal Research Reviews. Our goals moving forward will be not only to continue to increase visibility but also to emphasize fundamental and chemical contributions to medicine, including areas of chemical biology that are medicinally-driven. This slight broadening of scope will further set the journal apart from the most closely related journals in the pharmacology category, which have a more applied, industrial, and regulatory focus. In support of this objective, many of the most cited reviews in Medicinal Research Reviews are chemical and molecular in focus, implicating these fundamental works as an existing source of strength for the journal. Expanding the scope to include articles from authors in the field of chemical biology would be seamless as many studies have a medicinally-relevant focus and in some cases lay the groundwork for medicinal chemistry efforts. Furthermore, as a rapidly growing field, chemical biology will provide additional diversity of authorship. This expansion of scope will be achieved in several ways, starting with targeted solicitations from myself as well as the Associate Editors and Editorial Board members, and sincerely encouraging input from the community. In addition, we will increase the number of special issues from one to two per year, the second with a particular emphasis on a more fundamental topic of medicinal chemistry, which will bolster recognition and emphasize the comprehensive nature of the journal. We will also increase focus on advertisement at conferences as well as social media, an avenue where many emerging researchers identify the latest relevant literature. While the field and focus of medicinal chemistry are dynamic and by definition interdisciplinary, many practices remain traditional. For example, participation in the field historically lacks representation of women and underrepresented minorities. An additional goal of the journal and one critical to our overall mission will be to increase the representation of these groups in the authorship, reviewership, and editorial board membership of the journal. Diversity of thought and background is critical for excellence, and this will be a visible value of Medicinal Research Reviews. I will conclude by once again expressing my deep appreciation to Professor Binghe Wang and the team at Wiley for growing a truly terrific journal and for entrusting me with this leadership role. I look forward to engaging with both new and established readers, authors, and reviewers of the journal and welcome your feedback, ideas, and contributions. I eagerly anticipate the growth of Medicinal Research Reviews over the next 20 years. Sincerely, Amanda Hargrove