By Timothy J. O’Leary, MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics e-mail: timothy.oleary@va.gov

It is hard to follow Karen Kaul as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics (JMD). Her leadership made JMD the foremost molecular pathology publication, serving AMP and its membership at a level well above early expectations. Such a strong foundation requires that any change to The Journal be an evolutionary response designed to build upon the previous success of JMD in enabling readers to more effectively serve patients, health professionals, and scientific researchers. Continued success will require that JMD adapt to rapid changes in technology – both the technologies of molecular diagnosis and the technologies of communication and publishing. Just as “deep and cheap” sequencing will, with time, change the practice of molecular pathology, the evolution of electronic communications will ultimately change the form and function of scientific publications.

JMD will effectively meet these challenges because it relies upon the expertise of an outstanding Editorial Board, Associate Editors Angela Caliendo, Adam Bagg and Marc Ladanyi, Senior Associate Editor Barbara Zehnbauer, Managing Editor Audra Cox, Scientific Editor Angela Colmone, and Editorial Assistant Emily Hamilton – all of whom are truly outstanding. It is impossible to adequately thank those members who are rotating off the Editorial Board for their service. The incoming Editorial Board cannot truly fill their shoes but will unquestionably strive to perform at a high level. 

Going forward, JMD encourages AMP members to submit not only the types of papers that one currently reads in The Journal but also papers that reflect earlier stages in the translational pipeline, relevant innovations in informatics, and “crossover” applications such as molecular imaging. We also encourage the membership to suggest topics for review articles that bring advances in molecular diagnostics and diagnostic technology into practical scientific and clinical context. Members who wish to suggest a topic or to submit a review to JMD should contact the journal office for more information (jmd@asip.org).

Finally, although JMD’s editorial team is strong, it still pales in comparison with the aggregate experience and wisdom of the full AMP membership. We encourage AMP members to share with us their insights on JMD’s successes, missteps, and future directions, so we can effectively build upon the strong legacy Karen Kaul has provided us.