Rutgers Cancer Institute executive shares goals for cancer research as incoming editor-in-chief
Andrew Evens, deputy director for Clinical Services at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and associate vice chancellor for Clinical Innovation and Data Analytics at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Services, has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Haematology (BJHaem) and its gold-access publication, ejHaem.
BJHaem, an extension of the British Society for Haematology (BSH) produced by Wiley, prints emerging research publications in the fields of clinical, laboratory and experimental hematology to help industry members and field personnel stay current on advancements.
Evens, who has an eight-year history as one of BJHaem's associate editors, expressed that he was overjoyed to receive the new position.
The process of obtaining it involved responding to a worldwide call for applicants, completing a rigorous written component followed by an interview with BSH and Wiley administrators.
His work will rely on close collaboration with more than 25 associate editors, all of whom are specialized global authorities whose works collectively encompass a wide range of hematologic diseases and malignancies.
Evens' research interests specifically involve lymphoid malignancies, with a focus on Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — research he has an extensive track record of leading, having served as the principal investigator for more than 100 trials on the subject and having received National Institutes of Health funding for projects within the discipline.
At Rutgers, his work involves the delivery of creative and integrated cancer care throughout 12 adult and three pediatric acute care hospitals as well as numerous related oncology ambulatory cancer practices in order to support the operations at the CINJ and the oncology service line.
Notably, the CINJ is the state's only National-Cancer-Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. It seeks to promote cancer research, enhance cancer prevention, advance scientific discovery and provide evidence-based cancer education to health care professionals and community members.
Through his role at the Office of the Chancellor, which is in charge of carrying out Rutgers Health's mission and directing the institution toward its goal of becoming a nationally renowned academic health center, Evens said he guides directions on "innovation, data analytics and evidence-based decision-making support systems."
Innovation also emerged as a recurring theme for his role at the BJaem, with Evens indicating that he would like for the journal during his term to remain transformational in its research, how it is published and how it is accessed.
As he steps into his new role as BJHaem's editor-in-chief, Evens said he hopes to address new possibilities through a prospective strategy for digital creativity, integrative sciences and cooperative outreach, while also maintaining the journal's standing as an inspiration for hematologists everywhere.
"Together, we will ensure that the British Journal of Haematology becomes an increasing cornerstone of hematology publishing globally, driving discovery and improving patient outcomes through the iterative and innovative dissemination of cutting-edge research and knowledge," Evens said.
