Dr. Wei Liu Appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases” in Pathogens

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Wei Liu has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases” in Pathogens (ISSN: 2076-0817).

Dr. Wei Liu obtained her MD from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, China in 2005, where she became a staff scientist in epidemiology and statistics. She also serves as the Director of the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology. She has over 20 years of research experience in emerging infectious diseases, particularly focusing on epidemiological studies related to zoonotic diseases, and tick-borne diseases. Her research has led to the identification of over ten emerging zoonotic pathogens that can cause human infection. She has contributed significantly to understanding their epidemiological and clinical features, pathogenesis and host responses, while also advancing diagnosis and treatment approaches for these novel human diseases. She has published over one hundred research papers in academic journals. She is a member of the Epidemiology Society of China, Microbiology Society of China, and International Epidemiological Association. She is an Editorial Board Member for journals, including the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, Infectious Medicine, and Emerging Microbes & Infections.

The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Wei Liu, who shared her vision for the journal with us, as well as her views on the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
The comprehensive coverage of pathogens and pathogen-host interactions in the journal greatly appealed to me, as it aligns perfectly with my interest in studying epidemiology and mechanisms of emerging infectious diseases. Moreover, the journal's strong commitment to rigorous peer review and prompt dissemination of impactful research findings resonates well with my dedication to promoting accessible and reliable knowledge.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
My vision is for the journal to become a trusted source for publishing cutting-edge, practically relevant research that addresses emerging challenges in pathogens, specifically to bridge the gap between basic research, clinical applications, and public health practice by creating a platform that attracts submissions from interdisciplinary collaborations.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
The future of epidemiology of infectious diseases holds great promise, as we are witnessing rapid advancements driven by cutting-edge epidemiological technology, data science, artificial intelligence, and a deeper understanding of pathogen-host interaction. I anticipate that research exploring the complex challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases will be increasingly published in the future within the framework of multidisciplinary collaborations.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access has revolutionized the accessibility of research, enabling a wider audience to benefit from valuable findings by eliminating barriers. Moreover, open access aligns with the vision of fostering a collaborative and equitable scientific community, where knowledge can be freely shared to expedite progress and innovation. However, to refine the open access patterns, ensuring journal quality and sustainability is equally imperative.

We warmly welcome Dr. Wei Liu as the Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases”, and we look forward to achieving many milestones under her leadership.