From Dr. Maureen McGargill

I am thrilled to be working with Solving for Science on this pilot experiment to test Discovery Stack! I am convinced that, now more than ever, we need to fundamentally change how we publish new scientific data to promote collaboration, transparency, and equity, rather than fostering competition and allowing for sloppy science.

A 2- minute introduction from our editor herself!

Made in collaboration with Forever Ready Productions

My Background:

I have over 25 years of experience in academic research, beginning with my PhD work at the University of Minnesota under the direction of Dr. Kristin Hogquist. There, I was introduced to the fascinating field of Immunology and developed a passion for studying T cells.

Next, I completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Hedrick. During this fellowship, I learned critical molecular biology techniques and discovered a signaling pathway in T cells that differentially impacts autoreactive and pathogen-specific T cells.

Building on this research, I established an independent research program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My research focuses on the regulation of the immune system in autoimmune disease, infectious disease and cancer. Specifically, we investigate T cell signaling pathways that can be targeted to inhibit autoreactive T cells without affecting T cells responding to pathogens or tumors.

Additionally, my research investigated the relationship between pathogen infection and autoimmunity. We discovered a means to augment influenza-specific antibodies that protect against multiple influenza subtypes, which is the goal of a universal influenza vaccine. Unexpectedly, enhancing these broadly reactive influenza antibodies also increased autoreactive antibodies and exacerbated autoimmunity. We also examined the antibody response in humans following SARS-CoV-2 infection and demonstrated that immune history to common cold coronaviruses impacts the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

With several years of experience in academic research, I have extensive experience publishing scientific data. This includes many stories of positive outcomes, but I have also witnessed and encountered significant disparities and bias. For this reason, I am thrilled to be serving as the editor for the Discovery Stack Pilot study!

Below illustrates why I find this project essential and why I am eager to be involved!

I believe the Discovery Stack Pilot Study is critical because the existing scientific publishing model does NOT effectively serve the scientific community or the public.

The goal of the Discovery Stack Pilot and the Discovery Curator campaign is to create a peer review system that:

Is independent of journal name and branding.
Includes transparent reviews designed to improve the study.
Focuses on scientific Quality.
Separates scientific Quality from Impact.
Allows Impact to resolve and mature over time.
Significantly decreases the length of the review process.
Compensates reviewers for their effort.
Curates manuscripts in a user-friendly, customizable platform.

How this will work:

Imagine that manuscripts are Discoveries that can be Stacked in your preferred reading order, then Curated into larger bodies of literature, like a library.

For the present time, the Discovery Stack Pilot study is designed to test and evaluate the Discovery Stack model for assessing and sharing discoveries.

A key aspect of this study requires a fundamental change in the reviewer mindset, shifting towards one of “Peer Improvement”.

As each manuscript is being processed with this new model of Peer Improvement Review, we will also be assessing the effectiveness of what we’ve designed.

I hope that you will join us in testing this platform to help promote collaboration within the scientific community, enhance the quality of research, accelerate new discoveries, and reduce the time needed to share novel findings with fellow researchers and the public!

Please Join the Discovery Stack Pilot!

Quality and Impact Reviewers - “Peer-Improvers”

Cancer biology and Immunology investigators.
We encourage including trainees as co-reviewers.
Reviewers who perform the initial Quality AND Impact review will receive $30 + 3 raffle entries per review.
Impact-only reviewers will receive $20 + 1 raffle entry per review.

Authors

Manuscripts must be in Cancer biology or Immunology.
Manuscripts must be upload to bioRxiv.
Manuscripts must be submitted to a traditional journal.
Get authentic feedback from peers who can stand by their critiques!

From our DSP Editor: Dr. Maureen McGargill