In 2025, many CCO 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 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)
Annemijn D.I. Maan, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, The Netherlands
Jia Jia Teo, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Shara W. Y. Lee, The Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Yuichiro Tsukada, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan
Vikrant Rai, Western University, USA
Izuma Nakayama, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan
Edoardo Francini, University of Florence, Italy
Juan Carlos Redondo-González, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain
Tadashi Iwai, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Japan
Outstanding Author
Annemijn D. I. Maan
Dr. Annemijn D.I. Maan, MD, is a PhD candidate at the Department of Gastroenterlogy and Hepatology at the Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute in Rotterdam, The . Her fields of interest include endoscopic screening and treatment of early esophageal carcinomas. She is currently working on several research projects regarding endoscopic treatment options (both curative and palliative) for esophageal carcinoma, as well as investigating the significance of second primary tumors in the aerodigestive tract. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
According to Dr. Maan, a strong research paper clearly presents its research question, is well-structured and allows readers to quickly grasp the significance and impact of the presented data. Authors should keep it concise and highlight the innovative conclusions.
In Dr. Maan’s view, the answer to what makes a good academic paper is often one of the greatest challenges that writers are facing. Balancing conciseness with the depth of information required can be particularly difficult. To streamline the writing process, it is crucial to plan ahead. She explains, “Establish a clear structure from the outset and consistently keep your core message in focus. Additionally, do not hesitate to make mistakes—seeking feedback from peers is an invaluable part of the learning process. Ultimately, this approach will strengthen your future publications and enhance the clarity of your work.”
“Although developing proficiency in academic writing can be time-consuming, it is essential for the continued dissemination of innovative research. It provides an opportunity to contribute to one's field of expertise, stimulate discussions, and gain valuable insights that have the potential to influence guidelines and advance healthcare practices,” says Dr. Maan.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Jia Jia Teo
Jia Jia Teo is an MD student at the Medical University of Warsaw, , with a strong interest in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, and neuroscience. Passionate about brain tumour research and surgical advancements, she focuses on innovative treatment approaches, particularly tracking resistance mutations in brain metastases. With a deep fascination for the complexity of the brain, she actively engages in research while refining clinical skills for a future in neurosurgery. Dedicated to both patient care and scientific progress, she aims to bridge research and surgical practice to improve neurological outcomes. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Key skills for an author, according to Jia Jia, include attention to detail, discipline, and originality. In her view, even a minor mistake can significantly alter the context of a study. Furthermore, ethical integrity, often overlooked in scientific writing, should always be prioritized as a fundamental aspect of the research process.
On the other hand, Jia Jia reckons that a strong research team is essential in addressing biases, and seeking second opinions is always valuable. Moreover, when approaching a research topic, rather than focusing on one side of the debate, it is essential to adopt a holistic perspective to ensure neutrality.
“My motivation for academic writing stems from a genuine desire to uncover unexplored aspects of neurological diseases. The constant stream of questions that arise in my mind drives me to seek answers and contribute to the advancement of my knowledge,” says Jia Jia.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Prof. Shara Lee is an Associate Professor in Radiation Therapy at The Polytechnic University, where she leads the undergraduate Radiation Therapy and Master of Medical Imaging programmes. She has developed the HEROCARE service-education model to improve paediatric radiotherapy experiences, significantly reducing the need for anaesthesia through preparatory workshops that combine clinical rehearsals and multidisciplinary support. These workshops also serve as training platforms for student radiographers, helping them develop skills in professional practice, communication, and patient-centred care. Prof. Lee’s research focuses on multiomics, Photobiomodulation Therapy, and innovative approaches like the HEROCARE project. By incorporating technologies such as the Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment (HiVE), her work aims to enhance clinical outcomes and improve the treatment experience for paediatric cancer patients. Her efforts reflect a commitment to advancing education and healthcare through collaboration and innovation in radiation therapy and medical imaging. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
In Prof. Lee’s opinion, a good academic paper begins with a valid, clearly defined research question that addresses a specific gap in knowledge. Innovative ideas and novelty are key to making research impactful and relevant. Beyond this, a strong paper must be supported by clear, scientifically sound methodology and robust evaluation methods or outcome measures. These elements ensure that the research question or hypothesis is effectively addressed, providing meaningful and credible insights. Clarity and coherence in presenting the findings further enhance the paper's quality and accessibility to its intended audience.
Prof. Lee highlights that, during the preparation of a paper, it is essential for authors to critically appraise their work from multiple perspectives, much like playing devil’s advocate. This involves revisiting the study and manuscript repeatedly to identify potential arguments or weaknesses while ensuring the strengths of the paper are well-articulated. Authors should also acknowledge and address limitations, as no study is without them. A balanced approach that highlights both strengths and limitations enhances the credibility of the work and demonstrates intellectual honesty, which is highly valued in academic publishing.
“We chose to publish in CCO because of its strong alignment with the scope of our project and its relevance to our field of work. The journal provides an excellent platform for disseminating research to a wide-ranging audience that includes clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals who would benefit from our findings. This ensures that our work reaches those who can apply it most effectively, amplifying its potential impact on clinical practice and future research in related areas,” says Prof. Lee.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Yuichiro Tsukada
Dr. Yuichiro Tsukada serves at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan. His research areas cover colorectal cancer, surgical oncology, and surgery. He is recently working on a VOLTAGE-2 trial (multicenter phase II study of nivolumab monotherapy in patients with mismatch repair-deficient resectable locally advanced rectal cancer), a JCOG1801 trial (a phase III randomized controlled trial comparing surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy with preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer), and a JCOG1801A1 trial (circulating tumor DNA for prediction of prognosis and therapeutic effect in locally recurrent rectal cancer).
In Dr. Tsukada’s view, academic writing is essential for the “correct” development of science. It is a common property of people in the world and a proof of the development of humanity.
To ensure one’s writing is critical, Dr. Tsukada believes that an author should always check his/her writing from an objective standpoint. He adds, “In other words, be keenly aware of what others will think when they read your writing.”
In addition, Dr. Tsukada stresses that institutional review board (IRB) review of any original research is mandatory for the protection of subjects. If this process is omitted, the subjects may suffer ethically unacceptable disadvantages. It would also reduce the credibility of the study.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Vikrant Rai
Dr. Vikrant Rai is an Assistant Professor of Pathophysiology and Immunomodulation at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA. He completed his M.B.B.S. in India and earned a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Science from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE. He is a motivated physician-scientist with 12 years of research experience in inflammation, immunomodulation, and molecular biology. He is passionate about advancing scientific understanding, enriching knowledge, and discovering novel therapeutic targets in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases. His research investigates carotid artery atherosclerosis to reduce plaque vulnerability and diabetic wound healing to enhance angiogenesis and promote healing by targeting inflammatory and immunomodulatory pathways. He has published more than 115 peer-reviewed articles and 14 book chapters and has presented his research work at various national and international forums. He serves on the editorial board and reviews for various scientific journals.
Dr. Rai explains that researchers need academic writing because it serves as a vital tool for communicating research, contributing to knowledge, and fostering intellectual development within academic and professional communities. Academic writing enables clear and persuasive communication, rigorous analysis, and the development of well-supported arguments. Furthermore, it promotes ethical practices, transparency, and the advancement of knowledge.
Dr. Rai believes that an academic research author should possess strong research skills, critical thinking, clarity in writing, the ability to adhere to academic standards, and be detail-oriented, organized, and maintain a formal and objective tone.
Allocating time to write papers is not easy. Dr. Rai uses the time between teaching and laboratory experiments to format outlines and collect articles related to the subjects he wants to write about. Then, he guides students to work on the first rough draft, followed by critically reviewing it. If he needs to write or add the text in the manuscript, he uses his time at the end of the day.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Izuma Nakayama
Dr. Izuma Nakayama is a dedicated clinician-investigator at the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, . His clinical and research focus centers on therapeutic development for patients with locally advanced and metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. He initiates several clinical trials, including JCOG2204 (comparing FLOT vs. DOS neoadjuvant regimens for type 4 and large type 3 gastric cancer), GENTLE-Z (exploring initial dose-adjusted zolbetuximab plus chemotherapy in CLDN18.2-positive disease), EPOC2203 (trastuzumab deruxtecan + nivolumab + CAPOX in HER2-low tumors), and EPOC2301 (total neoadjuvant therapy with FLOT, pembrolizumab, and short-course radiation for locally advanced gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma). Through these innovative studies, Dr. Nakayama continues to push the boundaries of precision and perioperative therapy for upper GI cancers.
CCO: What, in your view, are the most common difficulties clinicians and researchers face when writing academic papers?
Dr. Nakayama: One of the biggest challenges in academic writing, in my experience, is identifying what truly matters and ensuring that the work is meaningful for clinical practice.
CCO: Being both a busy oncologist and an active researcher, how do you find time to write papers?
Dr. Nakayama: It’s true that daily clinical work makes it hard to find long stretches of time to write. I’m still learning and far from perfect, but I try to keep absorbing information, questioning what I see in practice, and thinking through problems scientifically. I hope that by keeping this mindset, I can gradually build better writing habits. I also feel that AI has become an important partner in helping me think, organize ideas, and translate them into writing.
CCO: What do you find most fascinating about academic writing?
Dr. Nakayama: What I find fascinating about academic writing is that my knowledge and experience can be shared with many people, transcending the limits of time and place, and ultimately contributing to their work and clinical practice. I also enjoy the process of examining the essence of an issue, considering its relevance to real-world medicine, and conveying it in a simple, clear, and logically structured way. When these elements come together, academic writing becomes both meaningful and deeply rewarding.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Edoardo Francini
Dr. Edoardo Francini is the Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Florence and a practicing medical oncologist at Careggi University Hospital, Florence, . His research focuses on prognostic and predictive biomarkers and precision medicine in prostate cancer. After training in genitourinary oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School (Boston, ), he has developed a widely adopted prognostic classification for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer that now guides both clinical practice and trial design. Back in Europe, he has coordinated large international collaborative projects such as SPARTCAUSS and maintains an active research collaboration with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard on circulating cell-free DNA. A former Visiting Professor at the Institute of Oncology Research in Bellinzona, , Dr. Francini has authored 83 peer-reviewed publications (many as first or senior author) and serves on the editorial boards of several high-impact oncology journals. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
In Dr. Francini’s opinion, academic writing is essential for communicating scientific discoveries clearly, rigorously, and transparently. It allows researchers to share methods, results, and interpretations so that others can reproduce findings, evaluate evidence, and build on the work. It also establishes credibility and contributes to the scientific record.
Writing is critical, according to Dr. Francini, when it goes beyond describing facts and instead evaluates them. This includes comparing findings with existing literature, identifying strengths and limitations, questioning assumptions, discussing alternative explanations, and assessing the implications of results. Using evidence to support claims and acknowledging uncertainties also strengthen critical writing.
Dr. Francini believes that institutional review board (IRB) approval is non-negotiable because it safeguards the rights, safety, and privacy of research participants. It ensures that studies meet ethical standards, use appropriate consent processes, and minimize potential risks. Skipping this step renders the research ethically unacceptable: journals will reject it, institutions may halt the study and impose sanctions, funding can be withdrawn, and the investigator risks serious professional and legal repercussions.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Juan Carlos Redondo-González
Juan Carlos Redondo-González is a medical oncologist working in the Department of Medical Oncology at the University Hospital of Salamanca since 2022. He completed his Degree in Medicine at the University of Extremadura between 2015 and 2021. Subsequently, he obtained an Official Master's Degree in Supportive Treatment and Palliative Care for Cancer Patients during the 2023-2024 academic year. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral programme at the University of Salamanca. Follow him on LinkedIn and ResearchGate.
CCO: What are the key skill sets of an author?
Dr. Redondo-González: Nowadays, it is no longer enough to be a good clinician or a good biologist; you must be a 'bilingual' author who can translate complex molecular pathways into meaningful clinical context for the readers. We work with massive genomic datasets, and every author must be able to transform this complexity into clear, accurate, and compelling figures. A Kaplan-Meier curve or Forest plot must be flawless—precise, honest, and visually pristine. The author's job is to articulate the movement from basic science all the way to public health impact. Without this skill, data remain just numbers.
CCO: How to avoid biases in one’s writing?
Dr. Redondo-González: We are trained to be our own fiercest critics before we ever put pen to paper. To avoid bias, I adhere to a strict code of Methodological Discipline. The greatest virtues of a good author today must be their resilience and honesty. We are taught to write with 'Castilian sobriety'—avoiding flowery language. The skill lies in structuring the argument logically (Hypothesis, Method, Result, Implication) with the humility that a scientific publication requires.
CCO: Academic writing takes a lot of time and effort. What motivates you to do so?
Dr. Redondo-González: It is a sacrifice, often done on weekends away from hobbies or friends but I believe is possible to combine both initiatives. Two main things drive me:
The weight of legacy: publishing is my way of adding a small, solid brick to that wall. It is about professional dignity and contributing to the global scientific community, and it, in my opinion, should be a responsibility that all young oncologists should, at the very least, feel the need to take on.
Scalable patient care: in my clinic, I can help 20 patients a day. But if I publish a paper that refines a biomarker or improves a supportive care protocol, that knowledge travels. It can help a patient in Tokyo or Boston whom I will never meet. That amplification of care is the ultimate adrenaline rush for a young oncologist.
I am fortunate to be able to grow and collaborate alongside a team of incredible professionals whom I consider my comrades, and it is a pleasure to devote time and effort to them.
(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)
Tadashi Iwai,
Dr. Tadashi Iwai is an orthopaedic specialist in Osaka, Japan. His research primarily focuses on orthopedic oncology, specifically on prognostic factors of bone and soft tissue tumors, as well as assessing bone strength through mechanical testing and finite element analysis. Surgical indications for elderly patients with primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, the characteristics of malignant superficial soft tissue tumors on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and the efficacy of new drugs for metastatic sarcomas have been reported since 2015. Additionally, the finite element method (FEM) is employed to assess the strength of bones affected by tumors, with the aim of preventing pathological fractures. Basic research using rats and mice has been conducted to facilitate translational research. Through various studies and regular medical examinations, the goal is to identify significant factors that can enhance treatment methods for bone and soft tissue tumors.
Dr. Iwai believes that academic writing is fascinating because it allows authors to present their research findings concisely through articles. He emphasizes the importance of reading related literature in one's field to ensure it provides sufficient evidence for their own research. In particular, he finds that recent review articles and guidelines play a significant role in research projects. In addition, he stresses the importance of disclosing any conflicts of interest (COI) in academic writing. To him, transparency regarding equity in research is essential, as the relationships between authors and external organizations can influence the outcomes of their studies.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)