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Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice Kenneth McCall recently was named an associate editor for the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (JPPS).

McCall said it’s been one of his professional development goals to join the editorial leadership team of a peer-reviewed and widely disseminated journal like JPPS.

“When the chief editor, Reza Mehvar, reached out inviting me to join the editorial team of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, that really resonated with my own professional goals,” he said. “I’m very excited to be part of the journal team as an associate editor, and my focus will be on reviewing scientific publications in pharmacoepidemiology and health outcomes.”

Associate editors are vital members of the editorial board of the JPPS. They collaborate closely with the editor-in-chief, members of the editorial advisory board and reviewers. They play a central role in maintaining the scientific quality and reputation of the journal.

Some of their responsibilities include:

• Create and maintain a biographical profile, including areas of expertise, on the journal website.
• Serve as the handling editor and/or manuscript reviewer for up to five manuscripts per year, ensuring timely and constructive feedback.
• As a handling editor, recruit at least two qualified reviewers for each assigned manuscript and make recommendations to the editor-in-chief.
• Uphold the standards of the journal and promote ethical publishing practices in line with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.
• Collaborate with the editor-in-chief and fellow editorial board members to establish editorial policies and enhance the quality and reputation of the journal.
• Consider contributing to the journal as an author or special issue editor.
• Act as an ambassador for the journal within the scientific community.

McCall says it’s a great honor from your peers because it means that your own research is respected.

“It shows that your contributions to the field are valued, which is incredibly meaningful,” he said. “At the same time, it’s a service responsibility, giving back to science and to the profession through the rigorous peer-review process that makes the quality of all science better.”

McCall has started with his responsibilities and is looking forward to contributing to the journal.

“I’m hoping not only to contribute to the peer-review process, but also to help the journal’s leadership make strategic decisions moving forward,” he said. “That includes identifying the kinds of science we want to advocate for and advancing pharmacy practice overall. It’s a new adventure for me, and I’m excited to help out in any way I can.”