Zoonotic Diseases | Interview with the Guest Editors—Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos are serving as the guest editors for the Special Issue “Zoonotic Parasitic Diseases in Wild Animals”.
Affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Jataí, Jataí, Brazil
Special Issue: “Zoonotic Parasitic Diseases in Wild Animals”
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/zoonoticdis/special_issues/592U0T558N
1. Could you briefly introduce yourselves and your current research fields?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos: I am a veterinarian with a master’s degree and a PhD in veterinary sciences. My research focuses on parasitology, particularly the study of helminths, ticks and tick-borne pathogens infecting domestic and wild animals from the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes in Brazil. I also conduct research in other areas of veterinary science, such as pathology and infectious diseases affecting domestic and wild animals. My laboratory receives samples of helminths from wild animals found in other Brazilian biomes—such as the Caatinga and the Pampa—as well as samples from South American countries like Peru.
My research focuses on understanding parasite–host–environment relationships in central Brazil, with a particular emphasis on how anthropogenic activities shape the occurrence and distribution of helminths. I use helminths as bioindicators to assess environmental changes. My favorite part of the research process is spending hours at the microscope identifying parasite species.
Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: I am a biologist with a master’s degree in animal science and a PhD in animal health. My research focuses on parasitology, particularly the study of helminths infecting wild game animals from the Brazilian Amazon. More recently, my work has expanded to the diagnosis and ecology of helminth parasites in wildlife from the Brazilian Midwest, integrating parasitology with wildlife conservation, epidemiology, and One Health.
I am especially interested in understanding host–parasite relationships, parasite biodiversity, and the role of wild animals as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. My goal is to generate scientific knowledge that contributes to wildlife conservation while improving our understanding of diseases with potential impacts on animal and human health.
2. What was the inspiration behind the Special Issue “Zoonotic Parasitic Diseases in Wild Animals”? How do you see this topic evolving in the future?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: Wild animals represent a unique and biologically diverse group that provides valuable information about parasite biodiversity, host evolution, ecology, and conservation. Studying parasites in wildlife is not limited to documenting species; it also helps us understand the evolutionary history shared between parasites and their hosts. Host–parasite interactions have developed over thousands of years through processes of coevolution, making parasites important biological indicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity. In addition, increasing environmental changes, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and the growing interface between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans have increased the importance of understanding zoonotic parasites from a One Health perspective. This Special Issue was conceived to bring together studies that improve our knowledge of wildlife parasites, their epidemiology, ecology, evolution, and public health relevance. We believe this field will continue to grow rapidly as new molecular tools, ecological approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations provide deeper insights into parasite diversity and disease emergence.
3. Could you describe your experience as Guest Editors? What would your message be to other scholars interested in getting involved in editorial work?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: Serving as Guest Editors has been both an honor and an important professional milestone. It provides an opportunity to contribute not only to the publication of high-quality scientific research but also to the development of the scientific community by promoting rigorous peer review and encouraging innovative studies.
Editorial work also offers valuable experience in evaluating scientific quality, identifying emerging research trends, and understanding the publication process from a broader perspective. These experiences undoubtedly contribute to our own growth as researchers. Our message to other researchers is simple: embrace editorial opportunities whenever possible. Participating in editorial activities strengthens critical thinking, improves scientific writing skills, and contributes directly to maintaining the quality and integrity of scientific publishing.
4. Can you describe how you select journals where you submit your work?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: Selecting the appropriate journal is a strategic step in the publication process. I first evaluate the scientific quality and reputation of the journal by considering metrics such as the Impact Factor, CiteScore, Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and indexing status. Equally important is the journal's scope. We carefully analyze whether our research aligns with the journal's aims and whether similar studies have been published there. We also consider the profile of the readership and the authors who frequently publish in the journal, ensuring that the manuscript reaches the scientific community most interested in the topic. Ultimately, we seek journals that combine scientific excellence, visibility, and a strong editorial process, maximizing both the quality and impact of the published research.
5. What are your thoughts on the journal Zoonotic Diseases? How do you see its evolution now that we have just received our first Impact Factor and CiteScore?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: Zoonotic Diseases has established itself as a high-quality journal with a well-structured editorial board and an increasingly strong international presence. Receiving its first Impact Factor and CiteScore represents an important milestone and reflects the quality of the articles published, the commitment of the editorial team, and the growing recognition of the journal within the scientific community. I believe the journal has excellent potential for continued growth. As interest in One Health, emerging infectious diseases, wildlife epidemiology, and zoonotic pathogens continues to increase worldwide, Zoonotic Diseases is well positioned to become an important platform for disseminating high-quality research in these fields.
6. What do you think about the development of open access in the publishing field?
Dr. Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos and Dr. Victor Silva Vasconcelos: Open access has transformed scientific communication by making research freely available to researchers, students, professionals, policymakers, and the general public worldwide. Greater accessibility accelerates scientific progress by facilitating collaboration, increasing the visibility and citation of published studies, and allowing knowledge to reach regions where access to subscription-based journals is limited. For disciplines such as parasitology, wildlife diseases, and One Health, where research findings may directly influence disease surveillance, conservation strategies, and public health policies, open access plays a fundamental role in ensuring that scientific evidence can be rapidly disseminated and applied. We believe the continued expansion of high-quality open access publishing will be essential for promoting more collaborative, transparent, and impactful scientific research in the future.