Biosphere | Interview with Editor-in-Chief—Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar
We would like to share with you the interview with Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar, Editor-in-Chief of Biosphere (ISSN: 3042-6111) and Executive Chairman of the iCREST Foundation. Dr. Asrar earned his PhD in environmental physics from Michigan State University. He has authored more than 220 peer-reviewed scientific and technical papers and books, primarily in the fields of biosphere and atmosphere studies and the remote sensing of the Earth system, with an h-index of 57, an i10-index of 108 and more than 19,900 citations.
Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar has served as the Universities Space Research Association’s (USRA’s) Senior Vice President, Science, providing leadership and direction for the programs in the science portfolio at the USRA. Dr. Asrar also served as the Chief Scientist for the Earth Observing System in NASA’s Office of Earth Science, prior to becoming Associate Administrator. He established and managed the NASA Terrestrial Hydrology and Remote Sensing Science Programs. He is the recipient of several NASA awards, including the NASA Exceptional Performance Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Leadership Medal.
In January of 2025, MDPI announced the launch of Biosphere, an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to advancing global dialogue and scientific progress in the field of sustainable ecosystem management, and Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar as its Editor-in-Chief.
The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Ghassem R. Asrar, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area and scientific publishing:
1. What was your motivation to become an Editor-in-Chief of the new journal?
A combination of the seminal role of biosphere in Earth’s planetary system in moderating the cycling of carbon, water and biogeochemical nutrients to sustain life systems on Earth, and the excellent match between the journal’s aim and my personal field of research for more than four decades.
2. What do you consider to be the most challenging and promising research directions in your field currently? How does the journal aim to promote the development of these cutting-edge topics?
Earth and environmental scientists have made significant progress and major advances in understanding the role of biosphere in the Earth’s planetary system during the past few decades. These advances were possible through a combination of a sustained network of in situ and space-based observations of biosphere on land and in the oceans together with computer-based models of Earth’s biosphere. These sophisticated biosphere models are based on observations and advances in our scientific understanding, and they can be used with the aid of supercomputers to mimic the behavior of biosphere for decades to centuries in the past, present, and future. The information resulting from these efforts is enabling better management and stewardship of biosphere from local to global levels. There is now a greater recognition of a need for inter- and trans-disciplinary research to further our understanding of the relationship between biosphere, humans and other species, as well as their intercedences that affect the biodiversity of species and ecosystems on Earth.
The aim of Biosphere is consistent with this recognition and need, and the journal is designed to publish openly scientific advances in our understanding of biosphere, improve our ability to project its future changes, and enable practical use of the scientific knowledge and information we gain for effective management and stewardship of nature to the benefit of humans and other species that inhabit Earth. Such efforts require international collaboration and open access to the information that we gain from scientific research through journals such as Biosphere.
3. Why are the topics that will be discussed in Biosphere so important?
The dependence of humans and other species on biosphere for food, fiber, habitat, and a whole host of other derived services require inter- and transdisciplinary research and analysis, which the journal promotes. The sharing of such knowledge and information with scientists, practitioners and policy decision makers through open access, and in a timely manner, by Biosphere enables effective actions to be taken for the sustainable management and stewardship of biosphere globally.
4. What major changes have you observed in academic publishing in recent years? From your point of view, how should journals adapt their strategies to address emerging issues?
I have noticed significantly greater emphasis being placed on inter- and trans-disciplinary research, advances in observations and monitoring of biosphere both on land and in oceans, and development of more sophisticated models of biosphere that have been included in Earth and human systems models over the past few decades. These advances were, in turn, enabled by effective international collaboration among scientists from many nations to obtain required observations, as well as to share the advances in computer and information technologies that have improved the field of Earth system science, including studies of the biosphere. The journal’s focus and emphasis on these topics are quite responsive and timely for addressing the contemporary scientific challenges and opportunities in this field of science.
5. From your point of view, what unique criteria or experiences should guide the Editorial Board in selecting and enhancing the quality of submissions?
A recognition of the need for diverse membership in terms of scientific disciplines and technical skills while paying attention to the demography and geography of Board Members, as well as their research and education interests and areas of focus. A combination of these factors enables the Editorial Board to attract high-quality scholarly contributions based on merit from their own research projects and collaborators. The discipline diversity of Board Members and their skills will also help in facilitating timely reviews and decisions for the publication of interdisciplinary papers submitted to the journal.
6. What are the most common challenges faced by scientific publishers during the peer review process? How can we avoid them?
Attracting high-quality and unique papers for publication in the journal and timely responses to the authors’ questions are key factors for a successful and impactful journal. Equally important is our ability to bring relevant publications to the attention of decision makers and practitioners through effective communication and outreach. This will enhance the journal’s impact beyond scientific excellence to serving society at large. Avoiding unnecessary delays in determining the relevance of contributions to the journal and minimizing the number of iterations in the peer review process will allow us to be responsive to the authors and contributors while ensuring that only high-quality publications are included in the journal.
7. What advice can you give to young researchers who are just starting to find their way in the world of science?
There is a need for continued collaboration among scientific disciplines, globally, due to complexity of biosphere and its role in Earth’s planetary system. Biosphere does not recognize geographical and geopolitical borders. It serves all inhabitants of Earth. International collaborations also facilitate the sharing of required resources and resulting information to overcome scientific challenges and realize benefits and opportunities that transcend individual disciplines and nations. There is a need for continued emphasis on and attention to education, training and mentoring of future generations of researchers and educators to maintain the required skills and momentum for advancing our shared understanding of the Earth’s biosphere going forward.