In 2024, many ASJ authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.
Outstanding Authors (2024)
Kathryn McKnight, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
Raghav Murthy, Medical City Children’s Hospital, USA
Tan Jih Huei, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Sia Woon Teen, Monash Medical University, Malaysia
Outstanding Author
Kathryn McKnight
Dr. Kathryn McKnight, BMBS, BSc, is currently completing her surgical training at the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, in addition to a Masters in Surgery. She completed her postgraduate BMBS medical training at the University of Limerick after earning her undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language therapy from the University of Galway. She plans to complete her specialty surgical training with the Royal College of Surgeons followed by a fellowship in Surgical Oncology. Her most recent research projects focus on breast and endocrine surgery. Looking forward, her hope is to expand her focus to research in the area of oncoplastic surgery. She continues to fulfil her interest in teaching, being involved in mentoring and educational opportunities, while developing her academic portfolio by attending and presenting at both national and international conferences.
In Dr. McKnight’s opinion, a good academic paper should have a clear structure and be concise. It not only discusses existing research but also critically analyzes it. As a researcher, it is important to be critical and to clearly acknowledge research limitations and strengths as well as being able to interpret the implications of the findings.
In constructing an academic paper, Dr. McKnight points out the following things that an author should bear in mind. 1)Evidence-based medicine dictates day-to-day practice for healthcare professionals. It is important to consider how one’s research is contributing to the existing research base, what new information has been unveiled and how this may affect clinical practice. 2)Research is fast paced and staying up to date with the continual changes can be a challenge. 3)Planning is central to successful research output; provide oneself with adequate time to correctly analyze data and thereby accurately produce an outcome. 4)Considering the target audience and the original aim of the research is crucial throughout the research process to ensure one is answering the original research question and pitching it at an adequate level.
In addition, Dr. McKnight indicates that shared knowledge is a powerful tool. In view of this, data sharing promotes collaboration and transparency and thus strengthens the credibility of the research. Sharing of research also enables researchers to reproduce related studies and prevents production of redundant research, ensuring new questions or areas are targeted.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Raghav Murthy
Raghav Murthy, MD, DABS, FACS, FACC, is currently a congenital cardiac surgeon at Medical City Children’s Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA. Prior to moving to Dallas, he was Assistant Professor of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and Director of the Pediatric Heart Transplantation Program and ECMO at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Heart Center. He has extensive experience treating congenital heart disease in all age groups, including neonates, infants, children and adults. He is also very experienced in temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support devices and heart transplantation. Under his leadership, the pediatric heart transplant program at Mount Sinai was the best in the northeast. He has special interest and expertise in pediatric airway surgery and complex lung surgery in children. These include segmental tracheal resections, slide tracheoplasties, complex carinal resections and reconstructions and combined repair for children with concomitant airway and heart defects. Dr. Murthy has authored or co-authored more than 65 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 5 editorials, 18 published abstracts, 20 book chapters, participated in more than 10 surgical videos and more than 110 oral and poster presentations at national and international meetings. His clinical and research interests are focused on surgical management of congenital heart disease in people of all age groups, complex neonatal and infant heart surgery, ECMO, mechanical assist devices and transplantation of thoracic organs.
A good academic paper, according to Dr. Murthy, must add something new to the literature. There are many questions that arise, on a day-to-day basis, and a good paper seeks to answer these questions, with sound statistical analyses. The flow of the paper should capture the attention of the readers, intrigue them and hopefully result in change of practice, ultimately improving care for patients.
From Dr. Murthy’s perspective, authors have to be honest during preparation of a manuscript. The results of a study may not be one that the authors anticipated. Nonetheless, it is important to state exactly what they found. If the results are incongruent to what they anticipated, it should be followed by a robust discussion of why they think so and what they have learnt from the study. Equally important is for the authors to state why they choose to perform a study or write the manuscript, making sure that they give due credit to everyone in the past that have attempted to answer similar questions or have provided some sort of answer to the questions being asked.
In the current digital age and the era of artificial intelligence, Dr. Murthy strongly believes that it is extremely important for researchers to share their research data. He explains, “This is particularly important in a field such as congenital cardiac surgery. The ‘n’ in our field is so small at any given institution, and a lot more and quicker progress can be achieved with data sharing. This is one of the situations where the sum of all is greater than the sum of the individuals.”
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Tan Jih Huei
Dr. Tan Jih Huei is a general surgeon and colorectal fellow affiliated with the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. His primary focus is on minimally invasive surgery and acute care surgery, areas in which he has developed considerable expertise. His work involves leveraging advanced techniques to enhance patient outcomes, reduce recovery times, and minimize the invasiveness of surgical procedures. His recent projects emphasize improving surgical methods in both elective and emergency settings, with a particular interest in optimizing care for patients requiring urgent intervention. As a dedicated clinician and researcher, Dr. Tan actively contributes to the advancement of surgical practices in Malaysia, aiming to integrate cutting-edge technologies and approaches to improve the quality of care for his patients. Connect with him on Facebook.
In Dr. Huei’s view, academic writing plays a crucial role in science by facilitating the clear communication of research findings, and theoretical advancements. It serves as a formal medium for scientists to present their work to the academic community, ensuring that new knowledge is shared, critically evaluated, and built upon. Through academic writing, researchers contribute to the collective understanding of a field, allowing others to replicate studies, challenge conclusions, or expand on ideas. It also ensures that findings are documented and preserved for future reference. Furthermore, academic writing upholds rigorous standards of evidence and objectivity, promoting transparency and credibility in scientific discourse. Ultimately, it plays a foundational role in advancing scientific progress, encouraging collaboration, and fostering the development of new ideas and innovations.
To ensure one’s writing is critical, Dr. Huei reckons that researchers should focus on evaluating evidence, questioning assumptions, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of ideas. In a clinical context, they should critically analyze research methods, consider practical applicability, examine risks and benefits, and address ethical considerations. Also, they have to incorporate multiple perspectives and highlight gaps or limitations in current knowledge or practices, and last but not least, always support arguments with evidence and ensure a balanced, objective approach.
Dr. Huei further points out that omitting the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process can lead to significant ethical and methodological issues. The IRB plays a critical role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of research participants, ensuring that studies adhere to ethical standards. Without IRB approval, research may fail to address sensitive issues such as informed consent, privacy, and participant protection, potentially leading to ethical violations. Additionally, the absence of IRB oversight may result in methodological errors that compromise the validity and reliability of the research findings. Therefore, it is essential to obtain IRB approval to maintain the integrity of the research process and uphold ethical and scientific standards.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Sia Woon Teen
Sia Woon Teen holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine degree from Monash University. Driven by a strong passion for surgical research and innovation, her research journey began in her third year of medical school. Along this path, she is deeply inspired by a remarkable surgeon whose passions, teaching and encouragement fostered her academic and professional growth. She has involved in diverse research fields, including surgical education, patient safety, and clinical studies [general surgery, paediatric surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G)]. Her work explores structured training for minimally invasive surgery, the transition of care between paediatric and adult surgical services, and ultrasound accuracy in foetal weight estimation. She thrives on exchanging ideas, working with like-minded professionals, and tackling challenges as a team to create impactful solutions. She hopes that all hard work will create meaningful contributions and drive progress in medicine. Follow Dr. Teen on ResearchGate.
In Dr. Teen’s opinion, a good academic paper is concise, clear, and methodologically sound, with particular attention to the study design. It should demonstrate the professionalism of the researchers through rigorous execution at every step. A high-quality paper must also be generalizable, reproducible, and provide meaningful contributions to its field. Addressing and mitigating potential biases is essential to uphold the paper's credibility. Most importantly, a good paper should bridge existing knowledge gaps, stimulate meaningful discussion, and inspire further research, ultimately advancing the field and its practices.
One of the most common challenges in academic writing, according to Dr. Teen, is staying updated with the ever-evolving body of medical literature. The rapid advancements in medicine and the overwhelming volume of information make it difficult to identify and select the most relevant and high-quality evidence to support the writing. Additionally, effectively articulating complex ideas can be challenging, especially when striving for clarity and precision in language use. Balancing technical accuracy with readability often requires significant effort and refinement.
“Academic writing is deeply fulfilling, as it provides an opportunity to share findings with colleagues from around the world. It facilitates an exchange of information and knowledge with the shared goal of improving healthcare services and patient safety. I find the discussions, feedback, and constructive criticism to be particularly engaging—they reflect the persistence, dedication, and passion within the academic community. Academic writing has the power to inspire further advancements, stimulate new ideas, and drive meaningful progress in medicine,” says Dr. Teen.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)