Prof. Dr. Michael Hess Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Poultry

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Michael Hess has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Poultry (ISSN 2674-1164).

Prof. Dr. Michael Hess studied veterinary medicine and performed his post-graduate education at the Institute of Poultry Diseases, Free University in Berlin. Afterwards, he joined R&D at Intervet UK working on poultry viral vaccines. In 2001, he moved to the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna where he established a poultry clinic with research, diagnostic services, and teaching. Since 2008, he has been heading the Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health. He has a strong interest in poultry health and the development of new protection strategies to prevent infectious diseases and diagnostic tools. He is a member of different scientific communities and editorial boards. He was a founder diplomate and the first President of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (ECPVS). He published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and holds various patents. Recently, he was awarded the Robert Fraser Gordon Memorial Medal, a Doctor Honoris Causa of the Pannonian University in Hungary, and the title Bene merito pro Facultate Medicinae Veterinariae in Varsovia, University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Michael Hess, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief?

The option to support scientific research in all aspects of poultry health and production. It’s also an honour to chair a board of renowned experts covering a broad range of subjects related to the aims and scope of the journal.

2. What is your vision for the journal?

For it to become a standard option for scientists working in all areas covered by the aims and scope of the journal as a medium for publishing their results.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?

The research field is very diverse and covers a broad range of subjects, altogether facing numerous challenges, which must be addressed by basic and applied research. The most important challenge will be the transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the field for the sake of poultry health and welfare, as well as the economy.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?

I believe that open access with fast decisions based upon solid reviews will occupy a major position within the field of scientific publications.