Editor’s Note
With the advent of a new publication cycle, it is my honor to reaffirm the academic standing of the Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine (Iran J Vet Med) as an important contributor to veterinary and biological sciences. Its inclusion in the prominent international scientific databases, like Scopus, Embase, and CAB Abstracts, in conjunction with the journal’s stringent double-blind peer-review policy and an acceptance rate of less than 40%, reflects the journal’s commitment to the highest standards of scientific scholarship. We are committed to being a dynamic platform for the global academic community to publish their contributions in the form of original articles, reviews, technical communications, and case reports that encapsulate the thematic diversity of the biological sciences. Our resolute commitment to the Full Open Access model ensures that significant scientific discoveries reach the global academic community with ease. The journal’s readership includes the academic community, medical professionals, health policymakers, and the informed public. By virtue of featuring contributions with wide thematic interest from diverse global authors, the journal aims to be the premier platform for intellectual discourse and the translation of science into practice.
A paradigm shift and the evolving role of veterinary medicine
The field of veterinary science is at a turning point, moving beyond its conventional clinical boundaries to assume a central place within the holistic One Health concept. The latter, as a concept, considers the health of humans, animals, and the environment as a single indivisible entity. As such, the veterinarian takes a central place in pandemic prevention, food security, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance. The paradigm shift represents a dual challenge: a tremendous opportunity and a need to develop a dynamic and adaptive knowledge base.
Prevailing challenges: Rooted in global complexities
Our field faces a complex of pressing, interrelated issues that strongly influence its current research agenda. The key imperatives are the major determinants of current scientific research:
The pandemic era and zoonotic intelligence: The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly indicated the importance of active zoonotic disease surveillance. The research on pathogen ecology, spillover, and rapid diagnostic techniques of new pathogens, such as bird flu and new coronaviruses is of the highest priority.
The silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR): The catastrophe of AMR in animal pathogens also threatens animal and human medicine. Our journal is devoted to research on alternative therapeutics (phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides), prudent use guidelines, and the molecular epidemiology of resistance genes in the human, animal, and environmental interface.
Precision medicine and technological disruption: The emergence of genomics, transcriptomics, and advanced imaging is transforming veterinary oncology, neurology, and cardiology. We advocate research that utilizes these technologies for personalized medicine, early disease diagnosis, and the development of new biologics and regenerative medicines.
Sustainable production and animal welfare under climate stress: Climate change is known to accelerate disease transmission and test the limits of intensive animal production systems, making it vital to investigate animal genetics for climate change, sustainable animal nutrition, and animal welfare-based animal husbandry systems.
The bond and beyond: Advancing companion animal medicine: The increasing relationship between society and companion animals creates a demand for sophisticated care. This leads to research in areas, such as minimally invasive surgery, behavioral medicine, specialized oncology, and geriatric nutrition, all of which are essential to the contemporary veterinary practice.
The rise of artificial intelligence and data science: The convergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning is radically changing the landscape of diagnostics, prognostic modeling, and therapeutic innovation. This journal invites scholarly research on the validation, appropriate use, and integration of these revolutionary technologies into practice.
Our journal’s strategic response: Curating the science of tomorrow
In order to address these challenges that have come to define our field, we at the Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine have taken a bold step in developing our editorial mission. Our mission is no longer just to publish articles but to actively engage in shaping the research agenda. This is achieved through a multi-faceted approach aimed at improving the quality, relevance, and application of veterinary science in addressing global challenges.
One of our strategies is to take a focused approach in soliciting articles. This is achieved by engaging our editorial board in identifying areas that are at the cutting edge of One Health, antimicrobial stewardship, precision veterinary medicine, and sustainable animal production. To further focus our attention on these key areas, we also plan to strategically organize special issues with the cooperation of international experts all over the world. Finally, we also plan to establish partnerships with international research consortia and health organizations to bridge disciplines and accelerate the application of knowledge.
The second strategy is to take an uncompromising approach to quality and ethical publication. This is achieved by engaging an international team of experts in evaluating articles based on their quality, relevance, potential impact, and value. This ensures that every article published in our journal meets the highest standards of academic excellence.
Third, a cornerstone of our strategy is the journal’s comprehensive Open Access policy, which we view as fundamental to our mission, not merely a dissemination tool. By removing all barriers to access, we believe that we are able to achieve the greatest possible scope, visibility, and impact for the research we publish. This means that the important research we publish is now available to inform policy, practice, and further research on a global scale. We believe that if science is to address the world’s problems, it must be a global public good.
Finally, we are committed to helping the next generation of scientists. We are happy to offer young researchers and authors from different geographical backgrounds the benefits of mentorship and constructive criticism. We want to build a thriving, inclusive, and international community of scholars who will advance science and the research we publish.
That is our strategy and we believe that the Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine is positioning itself not only as the chronicler of progress but also as the driver of progress. We are committed to providing the definitive destination for today’s science to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
A call for collaboration and the path forward
The path ahead demands a collaborative effort across borders and disciplines. Here, we cordially invite all researchers across the globe to entrust us with their pioneering work. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our devoted editorial board, reviewers, authors, and readers. The collaborative effort of all of you through every issue of this journal helps to build a brighter and more resilient future for the field of veterinary medicine.
