In 2025, many MED 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 (2025)
Mohamed Shanshal, Mayo Clinic, USA
Yonatan Dollin, University of California San Diego, USA
Outstanding Author
Mohamed Shanshal
Dr. Mohamed Shanshal is a medical oncologist and Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic, specializing in thoracic malignancies and early-phase cancer drug development. His research is dedicated to developing innovative cancer therapeutics, particularly in nano-oncology and rare tumors. His approach is driven by clinical observations, where patient experiences inspire hypotheses investigated in the lab to address unmet clinical needs. His ultimate goal is to translate these laboratory discoveries into effective treatments for patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
Dr. Shanshal thinks a good academic paper provides novel insights, is clearly written, and is supported by robust data. It should address an important question in the field and contribute to advancing scientific understanding while maintaining scientific rigor and transparency.
Dr. Shanshal believes that maintaining a neutral tone, presenting data objectively, and relying on evidence-based conclusions are good ways to avoid biases in writing. Peer review, collaboration with colleagues from different backgrounds, and being open to feedback are also essential to minimizing bias in research and writing.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Yonatan Dollin
Dr. Captain Yonatan Dollin is an officer in the United States Air Force as well as a physician internist who is currently completing his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Wright State University in Ohio and his medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. He has 8 publications with 56 citations and an H-Index of 3. He served as the principal investigator for a randomized controlled trial (NCT05355974). Recently, his research has been with the Interventional Pulmonary Department at UCSD where he has focused on Interstitial Lung Disease and developing an artificial intelligence-driven tool to help screen large populations for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In addition, he is performing research incorporating advanced bronchoscopy into diagnosing and treating multiple pulmonary and mediastinal cancers as well as other advanced pulmonary diseases.
Dr. Dollin asserts that effective academic writing encompasses several critical elements that significantly enhance its quality: Clear organizational strategy and logical progression of thought throughout the manuscript are vital. Excellent, recent references are imperative. Moreover, ensuring data referenced support all statements. Consistent formatting contributes to clarity and aids the reader in navigating the document. Adhering to rigorous standards of scientific validity and statistical analysis is also important. Finally, authors should take peer-review comments seriously and address missing elements of the manuscript during the review process.
To Dr. Dollin, his path to becoming a physician started with research and that inspired him to push the boundaries of medical and scientific knowledge. He has seen that the ability to communicate his research through academic writing can exponentially increase his impact on the medical field beyond even his day-to-day practice. This inspires him to continue giving 100% effort in his medical practice and engages him in the lifelong learning necessary to give excellent patient care and succeed as a physician.
“Both the academic and medical worlds suffer from rumor, misinformation, and low-quality research studies making false claims all to the suffering and detriment of real-life patients. Your commitment to high-quality research, scientific and statistical integrity, and pursuit of truth not only combats this scourge but makes a profound impact on the quality of medical care given in the world. Our patients depend on researchers to innovate, make advances, and create data that lead to high-quality guidelines and tangible improvements in patient care. Never underestimate your importance,” says Dr. Dollin.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)