ASHG recently sat down with Mike Bamshad, MD, Editor-In-Chief of HGG Advances to learn more about the upcoming launch of the Early-Career Investigator Award set to make its debut in the fall. HGG Advances is ASHG’s open access journal that was unveiled in May of 2020 and is dedicated to providing a high-quality, fully open access publication option that also serves the rapid expansion of discoveries in human genetics and genomics.
- Tell us more about the new award. What was the motivation for its establishment? Why did you choose to recognize authors at this particular stage in their careers?
ASHG and HGG Advances have established a new award that recognizes the two best manuscripts from early career investigators published in HGGA each year. The early career of any scientist is both exciting and challenging with limited opportunities for recognition of scientific effort that exceeds expectations.Both the ASHG Board of Directors and the editorial leadership of HGG Advances thought it was important to recognize such contributions from early career investigators to acknowledge research excellence, raise the profile of young ASHG investigators, and engage the community of young investigators in human genetics in general. We also want young investigators to view HGGA as one of the top forums for their work.
- What are the eligibility requirements? Do you need to be an ASHG member?
An early career investigator is defined as a person with an advanced terminal degree who is within five years of beginning their independent career. Eligibility requires that an early career investigator be the first or senior author and a member of ASHG when the manuscript is accepted for publication. If the first and/or last authorship is split between two early career investigators, the award can be shared between them.
“It is important to recognize contributions from early career investigators to acknowledge research excellence, raise the profile of young ASHG investigators, and engage the community of young investigators in human genetics.”
Mike Bamshad, MD, Editor-In-Chief of HGG Advances
- How will the winning papers be selected?
Each year the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor will select the top ten eligible manuscripts. These manuscripts will be distributed to all members of the Editorial Board who will in turn rank their top three manuscripts. The two manuscripts receiving the largest number of votes will be identified as the winners. The Editor-in-Chief will provide a tie-breaking vote if necessary. Editorial Board members with a conflict of interest are recused from participation.
- How many awards will be given out? When will they be presented?
The top two manuscripts will be selected for the Early Career Investigator award, each of which is accompanied by a $1,000 prize. The awards will be announced this Fall and presented at the ASHG Annual Meeting.