Editorial introductions

Abstract

Current Opinion in Hematology was launched in 1994. It is part of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The field of hematology is divided into nine sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Editor and the Section Editor for this issue. EDITOR Joseph E. ItalianoJoseph E. ItalianoDr Joseph E. Italiano Jr. is Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Surgery at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA. Dr Italiano received his bachelor of science degree from The College of New Jersey, USA, in 1992. He received his doctoral degree from Florida State University, USA, in cell biology. After completing postdoctoral training in hematology research under the mentorship of Dr John Hartwig at Brigham and Women's Hospital, he joined the faculty at Harvard Medical School. In 2001 Dr Italiano was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In 2006, Dr Italiano was recruited to the Vascular Biology Program and appointed to Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Children's Hospital, Boston, USA. He is the recipient of a number of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants. His awards and honors include the American Society of Hematology Scholar Award and American Heart Foundation Scientist Development Grant. Dr Italiano's scientific interests have long focused on megakaryocyte and platelet biology. His early research focused on using live cell microscopy to identify the basic principles of platelet production. In particular, his efforts have contributed to improved understanding of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying platelet biogenesis. More recently his research efforts have focused on understanding how platelets regulate angiogenesis under physiological and pathological conditions. SECTION EDITOR Jorge A. Di PaolaJorge A. Di PaolaDr Di Paola is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Genetics at the University of Colorado, Denver, USA. He received his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina and subsequently completed his residency in pediatrics at the “Hospital Nacional de Pediatria, Juan P. Garrahan” in Buenos Aires, Argentina and at the Children's Hospital of Orange County, California, USA where he also completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology oncology. In 2001 he became an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Hemophilia Treatment Center at the University of Iowa, USA. In 2008 he was recruited to the University of Colorado where he is the Director of Basic and Translational Hemostasis Research and holds The Postle Family Chair in Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders. Dr Di Paola's research focuses on the genetics of bleeding and thrombotic disorders and mechanisms of platelet activation. He is a permanent member of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Hemostasis and Thrombosis Study Section and is the current President of the Hemostasis and Thrombosis research Society (HTRS). Dr Di Paola is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research and the American Society for Clinical Investigation.