We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba (Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, RUSH University Medical Center) as the new Editor-in-Chief of Gastroenterology Insights (ISSN 2036-7422). We wish Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.

Name: Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba
Affiliation: Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
Interests: inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; microscopic colitis; colon cancer; gastrointestinal endoscopy; fecal transplant; clinical trials

Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Director of RUSH Center for Crohn’s and Colitis/Clinical Trials at Rush University Medical Center. He is a gastroenterologist and received his medical degree from Keio University School of Medicine. His primary research interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endoscopy, and clinical trials, and he has worked in research and practice for more than 20 years. He has more than 100 publications in high-impact journals.

We are honored to have the opportunity to introduce Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba to our editorial team, and we are confident that, with the guidance of our new Editor-in-Chief, we will continue to improve the reputation and quality of Gastroenterology Insights.

The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Atsushi Sakuraba, who shared his main research areas with us, in addition to his vision for the journal and advice to young scholars:

1. Could you introduce the main research areas and achievements of your group and your latest progress?
I am an international expert in inflammatory bowel diseases and endoscopy. I focus on clinical and translational research in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the goal of advancing patient care through the development and optimization of novel therapies. My work has contributed to improving treatment strategies, generating real-world evidence for emerging medications, and helping translate research findings into more effective and personalized care for patients with IBD.

2. As the Editor-in-Chief of Gastroenterology Insights, what qualities do you consider essential for high-impact manuscripts for your journal?
As Editor-in-Chief of Gastroenterology Insights, I look for manuscripts that address clinically important questions and advance evidence-based medicine in gastroenterology. The strongest submissions are methodologically rigorous, provide novel and clinically meaningful insights, and generate high-quality evidence that can inform decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Most importantly, a high-impact paper should not only present robust data but also clearly demonstrate how its findings move the field forward and influence clinical practice.

3. What advice would you give to young scholars and early career researchers regarding topic selection, perseverance, and mindset?
My advice is to find a good mentor, learn rigorous research methodology, and focus on clinically meaningful questions that can truly improve patient care. Be persistent and resilient, because research often involves setbacks, and embrace new technologies such as AI to enhance productivity while understanding their limitations and applying independent scientific judgment. Most importantly, stay curious and committed to lifelong learning.