Dr. Alexander E. Kalyuzhny is a research assistant professor and is affiliated with the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota, USA. We had the pleasure of meeting him at the Neuroscience 2023 conference and had a discussion in which we learned more about his background, views, and interests.

The following is a brief Q&A with Dr. Alexander E. Kalyuzhny:

1. You are an internationally recognized neurologist—could you share your current research focus with us and what is exciting about it?
To be more precise, I am a neuroscientist rather than a neurologist. My major interest remains in the area of opioids, focussing on the cellular mechanisms underlying antinociception. What recently excited me was the discovery of novel nonaddictive analgesics and precision analgesia that can be delivered at the level of the individual patient.

2. What made you decide to lead this journal?
Dr. Shu-Kun Lin invited me to join and lead Cells, and I accepted his invitation because I wanted to help young scientists advance to the forefront of science. I am glad to be part of Cells and to see you develop so much over the years. I am very motivated to support our journal and to make science accessible to everyone.

3. What suggestions do you have for our journal’s development?
I think Cells is on the right track, but we need to expand the network of experienced reviewers covering the entire landscape of cell biology, and, of course, keep sponsoring different scientific meetings and conferences.

4. What made you move from your home country and pursue research in the USA?
I was invited in 1992 by the Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, to work on a project to study the function of opioid receptors. Back then, I thought it was a temporary endeavor, but as an old saying goes, “Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution”. I am very passionate about my research and happy to have the opportunity to work with outstanding scientists.