The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) named Dr. Philip J. Proteau of Oregon State University as Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the Journal of Natural Products (JNP). Under Proteau’s leadership, the journal will increasingly focus on significant studies on natural products biosynthesis. The journal will also introduce “perspectives” types of articles so that experts […]
The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) named Dr. Philip J. Proteau of Oregon State University as Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the Journal of Natural Products (JNP).
Under Proteau’s leadership, the journal will increasingly focus on significant studies on natural products biosynthesis. The journal will also introduce “perspectives” types of articles so that experts in the field can add to research on the current strengths and limitations of new techniques, instrumentation, or other emerging areas within the field of natural products. JNP will continue to maintain its strength in publishing impactful contributions on bioactive natural products, and studies exploring unique aspects of the chemistry of natural products will also remain welcome.
Proteau is an associate professor at Oregon State University’s college of pharmacy, where he leads a laboratory researching various aspects of the chemistry and biology of natural products. These projects incorporate a blend of natural products chemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy. Proteau received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 1993. He has been an associate editor for the JNP since 2008
Why are you excited to be the new EIC for JNP?
By stepping up to the EIC role after serving as an Associate Editor for more than 11 years, I will now have the opportunity to interact with a broader range of natural product scientists, as previously I mainly interacted with authors reporting studies in marine natural products. This will allow me to establish new relationships with scientists across the globe. In addition, being the EIC, I will have an opportunity to serve the American Society of Pharmacognosy and ACS in a new and highly important capacity.
Can you provide a summary of some plans you have for the future of JNP?
A new Associate Editor has joined the Editorial team, Dr. Joanna Burdette, University of Illinois at Chicago, to replace Dr. Steve Swanson. Dr. Burdette began her service in October 2019.
As my background and interests include biosynthetic studies, I would like to see JNP become more of a home for significant studies on natural products biosynthesis.
JNP will always maintain its strength in publishing impactful contributions on bioactive natural products, but I have gotten the impression that some authors believe that bioactivity is absolutely required for articles in JNP. While it is true that manuscripts exploring bioactive natural products are preferred, studies exploring unique aspects of the chemistry of natural products are also welcome.
I am working with ACS staff to redesign the JNP cover, with plans to have a new cover in mid-2020.
I am interested in pursuing the possibility of Perspective-type articles for JNP so that experts in the field could comment on current strengths/limitations of new techniques, instrumentation, or other emerging areas within the field of natural products.
