Introduction

A few years ago Journal of Biocommunication found itself in a unique position. The JBC Board faced challenges relating to new open access publishing parameters from the National Institutes of Health, state-supported universities, Canadian universities, and non-profit research institutes. The JBC needed to embrace these new open access requirements that were designed to make research more discoverable, sharable, and citable. At the same time, we felt that the JBC needed to maintain a fully copyrighted environment for those illustrators, photographers, and others who wanted that traditional protection. The JBC's solution was to publish in a dual environment within a Open Journal Systems framework. The University of Illinois - Chicago was selected as our host institution.

 

Future Content

While we have only one article for the current issue, our pipeline has four additional articles from AMI members in the review and editing process. We also plan to publish 13 peer-reviewed poster session abstracts from the 2017 AMI annual meeting held in Austin, Texas. These will be featured in a new Published Abstracts section of the JBC beginning in 2018. We will also offer this publishing option to outside bioscience groups that may wish to publish abstracts in our Journal.

 

25 Years Ago in JBPA/JBP

In our column “25 Years Ago in JBPA/JBP,” Thomas St. John Merrill reviews content from JBP Vol. 60, No. 1, 2, 3, 4 (1992). A wide range of photographic techniques and subject matter makes these four issues memorable for photographers and illustrators alike. In addition to his historical journalistic reporting, Thomas offers some keen insight into the photographic techniques being discussed in these legacy issues.

 

eLearning Article

Toronto authors Kim, Lax, Ross, Ng, Grossi, Gupta, Sockalingham, Mason and Taylor have crafted an innovative eLearning module to promote a better understanding of the neurobiology of trauma. The authors have demonstrated that traumatic experiences can change brain structures and compromise emotional, cognitive, and bodily functions, thereby often debilitating patients. Yet, trauma is not well understood by physicians and few educational resources are available, despite its prevalence. The goal of this design research project is to develop and evaluate 2D animations in a case-based eLearning module.

 

Showcase

Our 41-2 Showcase recognizes the accomplished work of Sue Seif, AMI's 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. This Showcase features work completed by Sue and Seif and Associates, the company she founded. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association of Medical Illustrators, and it serves to recognize a distinguished member for their entire life's work. In presenting this Lifetime Achievement Award, the AMI recognizes an individual who has enriched our lives and has advanced
the profession.

 

Galleries

We include two separate JBC Galleries in this issue. These include the award winners from BCA’s 2016 and 2017 BioImages Salon exhibitions. When combined, these Galleries feature 62 images and/or motion media.

 

Feedback Appreciated

We rely on our readership for feedback about the Journal, and we invite you to share your thoughts with us about any of our columns and articles. We always appreciate your suggestions for improvement.

Gary W. Schnitz, MA, CMI, FAMI
Chair, Journal Management Board

JBCeditor@ami.org