Marie-Elizabeth Barabas

Dr. Marie-Elizabeth Barabas completed a PhD in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Wisconsin, studying the roles of TRPA1 and TRPV1 in dorsal root ganglion neurons on pain transduction. She also collaborated with a Physics Department lab at UW-Milwaukee and won the prestigious Aladdin Lamp Award for Outstanding Science at the Madison Synchrotron. This was followed by a postdoc based at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, helping to optimize a protocol to reprogram mature murine retinal neurons into iPSCs and then differentiate the retinal-derived iPSCs into 3D retinal tissue in vitro. In 2016, Marie relocated to New York to pursue a career in publishing. She began as a Managing Editor with the Nature Partner Journals. She was also briefly a Consulting Editor with Communications Biology. Now, Marie is part of the editorial team as a Senior Editor with BMC Medicine.

Can you describe your academic and professional background? What path led you to pursue this field?

I was initially focused on an academic research track, but throughout my graduate and postdoc training, I was interested in journal clubs, writing workshops, and peer review. I would regularly participate as an ad hoc reviewer with my mentors to review manuscripts. That’s what provided me skills for my career path. During my postdoc, I realized that what I thought was my “back up plan” was really what I wanted to do so I sought out opportunities to line this up as my career choice. 

How did you find this particular position, and what was the hiring process like? Is there a typical structure for this in your field?

I went onto the Nature Careers website and searched for “editor” positions – and I applied for as many as I could find! Typically, someone without any editorial experience is not going to be considered for a senior, chief, or executive editor position. If you don’t have experience, I recommend focusing on associate positions. “Locum” positions are temporary positions, which are also great options to get your foot in the door. You do run the risk that you might not get a permanent position, but I’ve seen quite a few locum editors who are asked to stay on in permanent positions. During the interview process, you will likely be asked to evaluate a test manuscript to see how you would assess a paper as an editor.

Can you tell us about your current responsibilities? What is a typical day or week like in your role?

My current responsibilities as a Senior Editor for BMC Medicine include assessing new submissions (determining whether or not to send them out to review), overseeing the peer review process (finding reviewers, making decisions, consulting with our Editorial Board Members when decisions are tricky), and planning new Special Collections (doing commissioning, working with Marketing for promotion, etc.).

A large portion of my day is devoted towards assessing new manuscripts and finding reviewers. I do a lot of reading and reporting on our manuscript assessment sheets. We have manuscript meetings twice a week to discuss manuscripts that we think we ought to send to review (or decisions that are unclear).

What do you enjoy about your current job and work environment?

I enjoy doing outreach projects and coming up with commissioning ideas. We have a phenomenal team of Editors and Editorial Board Members. They’re both very knowledgeable and very fun to work with!

What are some of the challenging aspects of your job? Is there anything you wish you had known about your job or industry before joining?

I was not used to the business atmosphere of being part of the corporate environment. I wish I had taken some business classes.

Do you have any professional plans for the future? What are some future career paths that could open up for someone in your position, 5-10 years down the road?

I hope someday to be a Chief Editor for my own journal.

What’s changing in your industry? Are there any future trends we should be aware of?

Journals are looking for more ways of increasing transparency with data and peer review. Many journals are now requiring data deposition and free access. Journals are experimenting with versions of open and transparent peer review. ORCID is one way for peer reviewers to gain acknowledgement, but open peer review is another (publishing your name to your review). I think we’re going to see more of this and other innovations.

What activities, internships, or organizations would you recommend someone get involved with to help them break into this field?

Join a journal club! Be an ad hoc peer reviewer with your mentor! Review manuscripts for your peers! – And make sure to add it to your CV!

Is it common for people in your field to have a scientific/academic background (i.e. have PhDs)? Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages someone with a PhD might experience while pursuing or working in your field?

It is very rare for anyone without a PhD to become a scientific research editor. Typically, only those with PhDs would be considered and usually you must have some postdoc training as well.

Do you have any final words of advice for those navigating these career questions? Is there anything you would have done differently given what you know now?

Networking is very important! Make sure to expand yourself socially at conferences and online. Join LinkedIn and use social media platforms to enhance your professional engagement. You never know who might help you get your foot in the door or where your career will take you! Open yourself up to all opportunities.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to Marie-Elizabeth on twitter @MarieBarabas or LinkedIn!