ASH Names Editors-in-Chief of New Blood Journals

Drs. Jonathan Licht and Keith McCrae will Lead New Blood Specialty Journals

(WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2023) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has selected Jonathan Licht, MD, and Keith McCrae, MD, to serve as the inaugural editors-in-chief of the newest additions to the Blood Journals portfolio: Blood Neoplasia and Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis (Blood VTH). They were selected by the ASH Executive Committee after a competitive international search.

Blood Neoplasia and Blood VTH, both launching in 2024 with submissions opening later this month, will be peer-reviewed, open access journals that publish high-quality original research in specialized blood disease areas. Blood Neoplasia will publish research focused on hematologic malignancies and associated disorders, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and more. Blood VTH will focus on thrombosis, hemostasis, and vascular biology, as well as associated disorders, including hemorrhagic disorders and blood platelet disorders. These new journals complement ASH’s existing publications, Blood and Blood Advances, to meet the demands of the growing field of hematology and aim to foster community in these areas of research.

Jonathan Licht, MD, director of the University of Florida Health Cancer Center in Gainesville, Florida, will serve as the editor-in-chief of Blood Neoplasia. Keith McCrae, MD, director of classical hematology at Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, will serve as the editor-in-chief of Blood VTH.

“We’re excited to expand ASH’s portfolio of journals and delighted that Drs. Licht and McCrae will bring their considerable experience, expertise, and creative vision to the Blood Journals family,” said Robert Brodsky, MD, ASH President. “Blood and Blood Advances have well-earned reputations for publishing high-quality hematology research, a tradition we plan to continue with Blood Neoplasia and Blood VTH. These journals will serve as dedicated forums to advance research and accelerate the exchange of ideas and insights in support of ASH’s mission to conquer blood diseases worldwide.”

Dr. Licht is a physician-scientist with a long interest in epigenetic deregulation in blood malignancies who has authored more than 200 publications with 32,000 citations. In June 2023, under his leadership, the University of Florida became the 72nd National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Previously Dr. Licht served as chief of hematology/oncology at Northwestern University and Mount Sinai. He has served as an ASH Councilor and as co-director of the ASH/European Hematology Association Translational Training in Hematology program.

“I look forward to serving as editor-in-chief of Blood Neoplasia and showcasing high-quality, rigorous research in the malignant hematology space,” said Dr. Licht. “I’ve worn many hats throughout my career as both a researcher and a practicing oncologist, which is why I aim to publish exciting, clinically relevant new research in Blood Neoplasia.”

Dr. McCrae is a physician-scientist who also holds appointments in Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Department of Vascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, and Department of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology. Dr. McCrae has provided peer review to more than 60 journals, published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and review articles, and previously served on the editorial board of Blood.

“Blood VTH provides a new venue for hematologists engaged in clinical care and research in thrombosis and hemostasis to bring forward top quality clinical, translational and basic science to the Blood Journals,” said Dr. McCrae. “I have been an active clinician and researcher for many years and have seen exciting progress in research in these areas. I hope to use this opportunity as editor-in-chief of Blood VTH to build a community for clinicians and researchers in this space within ASH.”

Both Blood VTH and Blood Neoplasia will open for submissions later this month. The first articles will be published online in early 2024 and continuously thereafter. For more information about the journals, please visit the Blood Journals website.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (www.hematology.org) is the world’s largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 60 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.

ASH’s flagship journal, Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), is the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, and Blood Advances (www.bloodadvances.org) is an open-access, online journal that publishes more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journal worldwide.

Contact:
Melissa McGue, American Society of Hematology
MMcGue@hematology.org; 202-552-4927