The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has selected Melbourne-based haematologist Professor Andrew Roberts as the next editor-in-chief of Blood, the Society’s flagship peer-reviewed journal.

Professor Roberts is a clinical haematologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and leads translational research at WEHI and the University of Melbourne.

His research interests include the molecular basis of leukemogenesis and lymphomagenesis, resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies
and the use of BCL-2 inhibitors and BH3 mimetics.  He was an academic leader in the development and clinical trials of venetoclax.

A past president of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ), he is currently a Director of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) national clinical trials collaborative and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, and chairs the Life Saving Drug Program Expert Panel for the Australian government.

Professor Roberts will succeed current editor-in-chief of Blood, Dr Nancy Berliner, with his five year term to begin on 1 January, 2025.

“I am excited to join a long line of outstanding haematologists who have served as editor-in-chief of Blood,” he said.

“Blood is for all of haematology. I look forward to the journal strengthening the field, building on its proud legacy, maintaining its high standards for reporting research and guiding practice, and welcoming new generations of haematologists.”

According to ASH, Professor Roberts has served for five years as deputy editor of Blood, working alongside current editor-in-chief Dr Berliner to create the Blood podcast, which summarises top articles every week, and standardise the journal’s visual abstracts, providing a recognisable graphical style and making Blood’s research more approachable.

Under their leadership, Blood’s impact factor increased to 21.0 in 2023, and the journal solidified its position as the most cited journal in haematology.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Roberts as the new editor-in-chief of Blood,” said ASH president Dr Mohandas Narla, a distinguished scientist at New York Blood Center Enterprises.

“His expertise and commitment to advancing the field will undoubtedly allow Blood to continue thriving and growing as the premier source of haematology research.”