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Nov 5, 2024, 13:30

Professor Andrew Roberts has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of Blood, ASH’s prestigious journal

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has selected Andrew Roberts, MBBS, PhD, clinical hematologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, as the next editor-in-chief of Blood, the Society’s flagship peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Roberts will succeed current editor-in-chief Nancy Berliner, MD. His term will begin January 1, 2025.

“I am excited to join a long line of outstanding hematologists who have served as editor-in-chief of Blood,” he said. “Blood is for all of hematology. I look forward to the journal strengthening the field, building on its proud legacy, maintaining its high standards for reporting research and guiding practice, and welcoming new generations of hematologists.”

Dual trained in internal medicine and pathology, Dr. Roberts practices in Australia and leads translational research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and holds the Metcalf Chair of Leukaemia Research at the University of Melbourne. His research investigates the development of leukemia and lymphoma, the molecular basis of resistance to modern therapies, and focuses on BCL-2 inhibitors, a new drug class used to treat blood cancers. His pioneering research helped bring the first BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, from concept into clinical practice for treatment of common leukemias.

Dr. Roberts previously served for five years as deputy editor of Blood, working alongside current editor-in-chief Dr. Berliner to create the Blood podcast, which summarizes top articles every week, and standardize the journal’s visual abstracts, providing a recognizable graphical style and making Blood’s research more approachable. Under their leadership, Blood’s impact factor increased to 21.0 in 2023, and the journal solidified its position as the most cited journal in hematology.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Roberts as the new editor-in-chief of Blood,” said Mohandas Narla, DSc, ASH president and distinguished scientist at New York Blood Center Enterprises. “His expertise and commitment to advancing the field will undoubtedly allow Blood to continue thriving and growing as the premier source of hematology research.”

Blood, which has continuously been published since 1946, is ASH’s flagship journal and provides a print and online forum for original articles describing basic laboratory, translational, and clinical investigations in hematology.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre shared on LinkedIn:

“Exciting News from the American Society of Hematology!

Professor Andrew Roberts AM, a clinical haematologist at Peter Mac and the The Royal Melbourne Hospital and researcher at WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of Blood, ASH’s prestigious journal.

Starting his five-year term in January 2025, Dr. Roberts will build on Blood’s legacy, further elevating its role in advancing haematology globally.

With a strong background in leukemia and lymphoma research, including pioneering work with BCL-2 inhibitors, his leadership promises continued impact and innovation.”

Professor Andrew Roberts has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of Blood, ASH's prestigious journal