Prof. Dr. Kunshan Gao Appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Algal Ecology and Environmental Science” in Phycology

Phycology (ISSN 2673-9410) announces the appointment of Prof. Dr. Kunshan Gao (Xiamen University, China) as Section Editor-in-Chief (SEiC) of the “Algal Ecology and Environmental Science” Section.

Prof. Dr. Kunshan Gao is a Chair professor at Xiamen University. His research centers on physiological ecology and photobiology of phytoplankton and macroalgae, with special reference to effects of ocean global changes.

In his role as SEiC, Prof. Dr. Kunshan Gao will work with the Editorial Office and Academic Editors to support high-quality submissions and further strengthen the “Algal Ecology and Environmental Science” Section as an open forum for the publication of phycological research.

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
First, the journal maintains a solid reputation within the phycology community and holds an inclusive vision for advancing algal biological research. Second, I value its consistent emphasis on research integrity and balanced peer review, which are foundational to a trustworthy academic platform.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
My vision for the journal is to sustain and elevate its reputation as a trusted home for rigorous, innovative research across basic phycology and applied algal research.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Promoted dialogue between laboratory scientists, ecologists and management practitioners to translate mechanistic findings into actionable solutions, and, encouraged interdisciplinary studies linking algal physiological responses to blue carbon estimation, harmful bloom control and coastal ecosystem restoration.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access is an irreversible trend that advances open science by removing paywalls and boosting global visibility of research. It accelerates knowledge exchange, especially benefiting researchers in less resourced regions. I think the journal section needs to uphold strict peer-review standards, advocate transparent pricing and flexible fee waivers, and ensure the journal maintains high scientific quality while delivering wider access to algal research.

We wish Prof. Dr. Kunshan Gao every success in his new position, and we look forward to witnessing his contributions to the journal.