Editor in a (60-second) spotlight – Rosaly Lopes

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Name: Rosaly Lopes

Institution: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA

Role at institution: Senior Research Scientist

Journal: Icarus opens in new tab/window

Journal role: Editor-in-Chief

Average number of submissions per year: 600

CiteScore: 2.84

IF 2017: 2.981

Interview

What inspired your career in research?

I was inspired mostly by the Apollo program. I was this little Brazilian girl who wanted to be an astronaut, until I realized that being Brazilian, female, and with terrible eyesight, I was not likely to make it. I decided to become an astronomer instead and take part in the space program that way. During my undergraduate years in England, I became really interested in planetary geology, so ended up doing a PhD in that area. I have been part of two great missions, Galileo and Cassini, so I can say I fulfilled my childhood dream.

How would you describe a typical working day?

I divide my time between my Editor-in-Chief responsibilities, my research projects, my work on various committees, and things that just come up. I’m always busy, but the editorship takes priority because I understand how frustrating it is for an author to have a manuscript take a long time to get through the review process. Sometimes we can’t help it, but I try to be as fast as I can on my end.

How do you measure success in your work?

To be appreciated by one’s colleagues is a great measure of success, but overall I don’t think much about what being successful is. I think what matters most is that you do work you love and that makes you feel fulfilled.

Do you have any particular advice for younger researchers?

Do what you love, find your niche. Be persistent because research is a road full of obstacles and dead ends. Focus on the process more than the outcome and enjoy the journey of discovery.

What drove you to become an editor?

I love writing and publishing. I have not only been author or co-author of over 120 peer-reviewed papers, but also eight books. When the opportunity to apply to be Editor-in-Chief for Icarus came up, I immediately applied. I’m very proud of the journal, which was started by Carl Sagan.

What is the most rewarding aspect of editorial work for you and what do you find difficult about the role?

That’s easy. The most rewarding is when I accept a paper, particularly one that has had a difficult time in review. The most difficult thing about the role is when I have to reject a paper, particularly one that the authors tried hard but ultimately failed to address our concerns.

What is the most important attribute for being an editor?

Having a broad knowledge of the field and good judgement.

Name one item/tool/resource that you cannot do without in your editorial role?

The resource tools for finding reviewers. Equally important is the journal’s great Managing Editor.

What would you be doing now if you were not in your position?

That’s hard to say. I might still be doing line management, as I stepped down when I became Editor-in-Chief for Icarus. But maybe not. Five years was enough.

What is the most interesting image/photograph you have come across in your journal?

It’s very hard to pick one. I am biased toward the Cassini images of Saturn and its rings and satellites, as I worked on the mission. The images obtained by the camera, in particular, are just awe-inspiring.