Managing Editor, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what did you study? Where are you currently based?
I’m essentially a military brat—both my parents were in the Army when I was born. We moved around a lot, but eventually settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where I spent most of my childhood. I studied mass communications with a concentration in visual communications and a minor in psychology. Soul searching in college paid off because it ended up being the perfect fit! I’m currently based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so I’ve stayed true to my Tennessee roots.
Describe your current role and organization. What are your main responsibilities? What type of organization do you work for?
I’m the Managing Editor for the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), a professional medical association serving interventional radiologists. I’m all hands on deck—overseeing day-to-day journal operations, liaising with the editorial board and co-editors-in-chief, leading initiatives, strategizing, organizing, and handling project management. I also create content for marketing and outreach, sharing research with our community. Essentially, I take the lead on and manage everything journal-related!
Walk us through a typical day in your role. What challenges do you face? What opportunities do you encounter?
A typical day starts with checking emails and following up on requests from authors, reviewers, vendors, and my editors. I track the status of each issue, monitor monthly workflows, manage journal-related initiatives like CMEs, fellowship events, and deeper dive journal content, and coordinate calls and meetings with both internal and external stakeholders. I also help coordinate contracts with the publisher and vendors. Then, my day ends when 80% of those tasks have been addressed.
Challenges? Limited resources. Our editorial office is small, and I spend the most time on the journal, the annual meeting, events, and supplements. Delegation is key, but sometimes juggling quality, budget, and deadlines can be tough.
Opportunities? Tons. The incoming co-editors-in-chief are eager to streamline processes, which frees them to focus on high-level strategy and me to focus on everything else. I’m excited to collaborate with them and work through detail-oriented tasks, so we can all operate more efficiently.
Share your journey in scholarly publishing. What was your first role in this field, and how did you land it? What path led you to your current position? What unexpected challenges have you faced?
I’ve been an editor and writer since I was a kid, but my professional journey in scholarly publishing started around age 30. I interviewed for the Managing Editor role at SIR because of my editorial experience in marketing and publishing. I landed the role and I’m still here—my first and only professional role in scholarly publishing so far.
Unexpected challenges? Learning without training wheels. I’ve had to do deep dives on nearly everything and feel my way through complex processes. There were moments where I questioned whether this path fit my long-term goals. But now, in my third year, things are clicking perfectly.
Can you share a memorable project, achievement, or pivotal moment in your career development? Was there a defining moment or influential person who shaped your career?
Two standouts:
- Running the JVIR sessions and events at the annual meeting on my own—it was challenging but incredibly rewarding.
- Winning the SSP fellowship—it was totally unexpected and exciting.
Two people have been especially influential:
- Jennifer Regala: She’s taught me resilience, gratitude, and professionalism. Her outlook on life and work is infectious.
- Julia Mullen: Her partnership has been pivotal. She’s been an incredible source of support and inspiration.
What tools, websites, and organizations are essential for your career growth? How do you stay updated with industry trends and developments?
I rely on CSE, SSP, and Scholarly Kitchen to stay up to date. COPE helps me stay current on ethics and best practices. I plan to explore ISMTE later, but these organizations have been invaluable for professional growth and networking.
In your experience, what skills or qualities are essential for success in scholarly communications?
- Flexibility: In my experience, scholarly communications has been 60% continuity, 40% ambiguity, with ambiguity steadily growing.
- Willingness to learn and emotional intelligence: understanding both your emotions and others’ is critical.
- Patience, discernment, and a love for reading, writing, and truth.
- These qualities can help navigate the complexities of research dissemination and stakeholder management.
What do you wish you knew more about in your field?
The historical context of scholarly publishing. Understanding how we got here helps me anticipate trends and make informed decisions for the future.
What future trends do you foresee in the field of scholarly publishing?
AI is transforming everything. Access to information is increasing, hierarchy is flattening, collaboration is growing, and processes are becoming more streamlined. Equity is widening, and benefits are trickling down to the stakeholders we serve.
What motivates you in your work? What keeps you passionate about your role in scholarly publishing?
I love research, truth, and integrity. Knowing that I’m communicating accurate, trustworthy information to the right audience keeps me passionate.
How do you balance your professional and personal life? Any fun facts or hobbies outside of scholarly communications?
I balance by staying flexible—sometimes I work in the morning, sometimes at night. I rely on lists and planning to keep organized.
Fun stuff: I love astronomy, lo-fi music, indie concerts, reality TV, video games (especially cozy ones), traveling, spending time with friends, and being a fur mom.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals in scholarly communications?
Be open and enjoy the journey. Don’t stress too much about money or pressure. Keep going, glide through challenges, and trust that things will work out if you’re putting in the effort.
