“Every Researcher Should Try Preprints.”
-Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi
To showcase how leading researchers are engaging with open science, we invited Prof. Dr. Giustino Varrassi to be a part of our “Researcher Voices” interview series.
Prof. Varrassi is a distinguished researcher in Pain Medicine. He is currently the CEO of the Fondazione Paolo Procacci (FPP) and the Editor-in-Chief of Pain and Therapy. He has also formerly served as the Editor-in-Chief of Signa Vitae and MDPI’s Clinics and Practices. Moreover, he is the editorial manager of MRE Press.
With his extensive background in both scientific research and academic publishing, Prof. Varrassi is uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights into open science and the publishing landscape. In this interview, he shares thoughts on his career, passion for science, insights about the evolving publishing ecosystem, and the role preprints play for the modern researcher. We hope you enjoy his research journey and perspective.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Preprints.org . As part of our mission to share early research quickly, openly, and globally, we encourage open dialogue and welcome diverse perspectives. Section headings have been titled to reflect the questions asked.
A 30 Year Journey in Pain Medicine
When asked about his long and impactful career, Prof. Varrassi’s motivation is clear. “My main topic of research is pain medicine, and I have been involved in this field for the last 30+ years,” he explains. “What keeps me excited is simple: passion. I have a big passion for pain medicine and for publications”.
This journey began in the early 70s with an interest in anesthesia, which evolved into a focus on obstetric anesthesia and analgesia. It was then that he fully shifted to pain medicine in the very early 1990s, not just as a researcher but as a community builder. “I was one of the founding fathers of the European Pain Federation (EFIC) in 1993,” he notes. “I also contributed to establish the first European journal of pain at the end of 1993. The initial contract with Saunders has my signature, after an adequate negotiation. This is one of the reasons why I have such a passion for both pain medicine and publication”.
On the Value of Preprints
With his deep roots in the academic publishing world, Prof. Varrassi is an advocator for the acceleration and open approach that preprints offer.
“I believe deeply in the preprint project,” he states. “I’m convinced that many of the authors who enjoy publishing are very happy to see their manuscripts already public, even before peer review”. He also sees a clear benefit for authors. “This medium offers enormous potential for authors themselves to obtain feedback from readers and improve their own scientific production,” he notes.
Prof. Varrassi’s connection with Preprints.org began in 2021, with the posting of his first preprint. He subsequently became a member of the Advisory Board, bringing invaluable expertise to our mission.
Talking about his experience with posting a preprint on Preprints.org, he notes, “Posting on Preprints.org was a pleasant discovery for me; it opened the world to a new experience”. His enthusiasm is palpable as he adds, “In fact, I believe every researcher should try using a preprint platform; they’d fall in love with it”.
He also shared a recent success story that illustrates the effective pathway from preprint to formal publication. “A recent preprint we posted in July, a review of Bioengineering Support in the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Low Back Pain, has already been published in Bioengineering and is enjoying great success,” he shares. “It has been viewed nearly 100 times in three days. We’re confident this will be a highly cited publication. We had exactly the same experience with a different article just published a few days ago in Cells”.
Advice for Early-Career Researchers
Prof. Varrassi’s commitment to fostering the early-career researchers is evident through the work of his foundation. “The Fondazione Paolo Procacci (FPP) also launched its own journal, Advancements in Health Research, specifically for its editorial projects supporting young researchers, which is one of its goals”. He sees a synergy here. He suggests, “A relationship with preprint servers could be optimal, given the shared interests in scientific growth”.
His personal advice to the researchers just starting their careers is direct and powerful: “Be enthusiastic and do not forget: or publish or perish”.
About Researcher Voices
“Researcher Voices” is an interview series showcasing how preprints influence research today. Through interviews with scholars, we highlight real experiences using preprints. As well as their role in open science and diverse engagements with open science.
