In 2025, many HBSN 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)

Kenei Furukawa, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan

Fatima Cody Stanford, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

Outstanding Author

Kenei Furukawa

Kenei Furukawa currently serves at the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan. His research area is liver resection, especially for colorectal liver metastases and living donor liver transplantation. His recent focus is on interventions and evaluation focusing on osteopenia before hepatectomy.

In Dr. Furukawa’s view, a good academic paper is one that scientifically answers simple questions derived from clinical practice with logical proof gained from basic research, and that is attractive to many readers.

To Dr. Furukawa, the difficulty researchers encounter in academic writing is consulting many references and examining research results logically and from a molecular biological perspective in discussions.

“I believe that doctors are also scientists, so I think that proving something new based on scientific evidence is one of the missions of a doctor in academic writing. I also think that the greatest attraction of academic writing in English is that it has the potential to help not only the patients I meet, but patients all over the world,” says Dr. Furukawa.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)

Fatima Cody Stanford

Dr. Fatima Stanford is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and one of the first fellowship-trained obesity medicine physicians globally. She is a highly cited physician-scientist with over 250 peer-reviewed publications. She earned her BS and MPH from Emory University, MD from the Medical College of Georgia, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She completed her residency at the University of South Carolina and a fellowship in Obesity Medicine & Nutrition at MGH/HMS. Her accolades include the AMA Inspirational Physician Award, HMS Amos Diversity Award, and The Obesity Society Clinician of the Year. In 2021, she received the Emory Rollins School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2022, she was named a Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence by the National Academy of Medicine. She serves on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Follow Dr. Stanford on LinkedIn, Instagram and her homepage.

HBSN: What are the essential elements of a good academic paper?

Dr. Stanford: A good academic scientific paper begins with a clear and concise title that reflects the main research question. The abstract provides a brief summary of the research question, methodology, results, and conclusions. The introduction offers necessary background, states the research question or hypothesis, and outlines the paper’s objectives. A literature review surveys existing research, highlighting gaps that the study addresses. The methodology details the research design, methods, and procedures for data collection and analysis. Results are presented with tables, figures, and statistical analyses. The discussion interprets these findings, addressing their implications and significance in relation to existing research. A concise conclusion summarizes key findings and suggests areas for further investigation. A comprehensive reference list cites all sources used, formatted in a specific citation style like APA or MLA. Appendices may be included for additional material such as raw data or supplementary information, ensuring a clear and rigorous presentation of the research.

HBSN: What authors have to bear in mind during preparation of a paper?

Dr. Stanford: When preparing a scientific paper on, for example, obesity research, authors should begin with a clear research question or hypothesis that addresses a specific aspect of obesity. This focus guides the study and ensures that the research remains targeted and relevant. Conducting a thorough literature review is crucial to understanding the current state of research, identifying gaps, and positioning the study within the broader scientific context. Methodological rigor is essential; researchers should use robust and appropriate data collection and analysis methodologies, such as precise measurements of body composition, dietary assessments, and statistical analyses that account for confounding variables.

Ethical considerations are paramount, especially when involving human subjects, requiring appropriate approvals from institutional review boards. Data should be presented clearly and accurately, utilizing tables, graphs, and figures to highlight key findings—visual representation can be especially effective in obesity research for illustrating complex data. In discussing findings, authors should interpret them in the context of existing research, highlighting implications for clinical practice, public health, or policy and suggesting directions for future research.

Clarity and precision in writing are vital, as well as avoiding jargon and ensuring that the data support arguments and conclusions. Authors must adhere to their target journal’s specific formatting and submission guidelines, including citation style, word count, and structure. Being prepared for peer review and responding constructively to feedback is also important, as this process can significantly enhance the quality and impact of the paper. Lastly, authors should consider the relevance and potential impact of their research on the field of obesity, ensuring that it contributes valuable insights or advancements. By focusing on these considerations, authors can improve the quality and significance of their scientific papers in obesity research.

HBSN: Why do you choose to publish in HBSN?

Dr. Stanford: Publishing in HBSN offers several advantages, especially if your research intersects with these fields. The journal targets a specialized audience interested in hepatobiliary surgery, nutrition, and related areas, ensuring that your research reaches professionals specifically interested in these topics. If your work in obesity has implications for liver health, metabolic syndrome, or nutritional interventions, this journal provides a relevant platform, as obesity often impacts liver function and nutrition. Known for its high-quality standards, the journal enhances the visibility and credibility of your research. Its interdisciplinary focus encourages collaboration and provides a comprehensive view of issues that benefit from multifaceted approaches. The rigorous peer-review process can improve your paper’s quality through expert feedback. Overall, publishing here allows you to contribute to advancing knowledge in hepatobiliary surgery and nutrition, potentially influencing clinical practices and guiding future research in related areas.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)