In 2025, many ALES authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2025)

Preeti Farmah, City of Hope, USA

Outstanding Author

Preeti Kodavanti Farmah

Preeti Farmah is currently a breast surgical oncology fellow at City of Hope. She is focused on exploring clinical research in breast cancer care. Her research interests include de-escalation of axillary surgery in early-stage breast cancer and evaluating the effectiveness of regional blocks in peri-operative pain control following mastectomy. She actively collaborated with physicians at Hawassa University in Ethiopia to develop an institution-based cancer registry. This initiative aimed to analyze cancer trends, expand data collection to private and regional centers, and ultimately establish a population-based registry. As a left-handed surgeon, Dr. Farmah has faced unique challenges in her training, especially with the predominance of right-handed instruments and mentors. This experience has motivated her to raise awareness about this underrepresented minority in the surgical community, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all surgeons, regardless of handedness.

Dr. Farmah considers a good academic paper to be one that is not only clear and understandable, it should also be supported by rigorous data from well-conducted research trials and peer-reviewed studies, ensuring that the findings are credible and impactful. Beyond presenting facts, the paper should provide insightful analysis into the strengths and deficiencies of care related to the topic, highlighting areas where improvements can be made. Importantly, it should also open the door to further research, either by identifying unanswered questions or suggesting new avenues for exploration. A truly valuable paper contributes not only to current knowledge but also to the ongoing evolution of the field.

According to Dr. Farmah, common difficulties in academic writing include time constraints and poor time management, which hinder progress. A lack of research education can make structuring ideas challenging, while finding relevant papers to support unique arguments can be difficult, especially for less-explored topics. These challenges require effective planning, continuous learning, and persistence in sourcing appropriate references.

“What I find fascinating about academic writing is the opportunity it provides to raise awareness and highlight important research interests. It’s a platform to share insights and contribute to the broader academic conversation. Additionally, academic writing allows for continuous improvement, as receiving peer-reviewed feedback helps refine writing skills and enhance the clarity and impact of one’s work,” says Dr. Farmah.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)