Dr. Morse’s academic and professional career has been profoundly rooted in infectious disease epidemiology and risk assessment, focusing intensively on emerging infections and the enhancement of early warning systems for disease outbreaks. His research has consistently sought to bridge the gap between theoretical epidemiological models and practical applications in public health emergency preparedness. This appointment underscores the journal’s ongoing commitment to maintaining scientific rigor and relevance in confronting complex disaster scenarios on a global scale.

Having served as Deputy Editor of DMPHP, Dr. Morse was thrust into a pivotal leadership position during the COVID-19 pandemic, acting as Guest Editor-in-Chief at a time when the world witnessed an unprecedented surge in scholarly submissions. During this period, he managed nearly two thousand manuscripts, navigating an immense influx of scientific articles dedicated to understanding and combatting one of the most consequential public health crises in modern history. His editorial stewardship ensured the timely dissemination of critical information to a diverse readership comprising clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.

Dr. Morse’s succession of Dr. James J. James, the founding Editor-in-Chief since the journal’s launch in 2007, signifies both a continuity of vision and the infusion of new perspectives necessary for addressing future challenges. Dr. James’ foundational work established DMPHP as a premier platform in disaster medicine and public health, elevating it into a resource indispensable for practitioners worldwide. Building on this legacy, Dr. Morse is poised to expand the journal’s scope, integrating emerging areas such as biosafety, technological innovation, and global health diplomacy.

A notable aspect of Dr. Morse’s profile is his longstanding association with public health agencies and institutes central to infectious disease control. As a founding Section Editor of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, and as a member of the Editorial Board for Health Security, he has deep insights into issues at the confluence of epidemiology, bioterrorism, and health security policy. These affiliations enhance his editorial acumen and strategic positioning for advancing DMPHP’s role in shaping evidence-based disaster medicine practices.

Dr. Morse’s appointment will officially commence on July 1, 2025, at which time he will be supported by a highly skilled editorial team. The journal has designated Eric S. Weinstein, MD, MScDM, as Lead Senior Deputy Editor. Dr. Weinstein’s expertise in emergency medicine and mass casualty simulation complements the journal’s multidisciplinary approach, particularly in assessing educational strategies and operational readiness in disaster response. His role includes overseeing initial manuscript triage, ensuring that submissions align with the journal’s rigorous standards before proceeding to peer review.

Supporting these efforts are Senior Deputy Editors Attila J. Hertelendy, PhD, and Amir Khorram-Manesh, MD, PhD. Dr. Hertelendy’s leadership in disaster medicine research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is marked by a focus on artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and the implications of climate change on health systems resilience. His editorial stewardship is anticipated to promote the integration of cutting-edge scientific discoveries into disaster medicine scholarship. Dr. Khorram-Manesh, based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, brings an international dimension by managing submissions from the ASEAN region, ensuring that the journal remains globally representative and responsive to diverse disaster contexts.

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness stands as the foremost comprehensive publication emphasizing multidisciplinary aspects of disaster response, public health preparedness, and global health security. It serves healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and all stakeholders involved in mitigating the impact of emergencies. The journal’s mission is to translate scientific findings into actionable practice, fostering integration across medical, public health, and emergency management sectors worldwide.

Published under the auspices of the SDMPH and produced by Cambridge University Press, DMPHP reflects the society’s commitment to fostering a distinct discipline that marries disaster medicine with public health. This integration is vital as disasters increasingly challenge the resilience of health systems and demand coordinated responses that transcend traditional boundaries. The appointment of Dr. Morse aligns with this vision, positioning the journal at the forefront of scholarly innovation and dissemination.

The SDMPH itself is dedicated to advancing global health security through robust education, training, and research geared toward effective disaster response. Its initiatives aim to empower health system responders with evidence-based knowledge and best practices, grounded in scientific evidence and sound educational principles. The society’s stewardship of DMPHP as a scholarly medium epitomizes this mission, providing a platform where knowledge dissemination and professional development converge to save lives and enhance preparedness.

Dr. Morse, upon taking the helm as Editor-in-Chief, expressed deep humility and honor, acknowledging the foundational leadership of his predecessor and emphasizing the collective effort of a global community of scholars and practitioners. His forward-looking editorial agenda includes not only maintaining the journal’s standards but also expanding its influence in emerging fields such as biosafety governance, climate change impacts on public health crises, and the role of artificial intelligence in disaster risk reduction.

The intricate responsibilities that accompany leading such a crucial journal underscore the evolving nature of disaster and public health scholarship in the 21st century. As threats become more interconnected and complex — spanning infectious diseases, technological disasters, and climate-related emergencies — journals like DMPHP must evolve to provide timely, scientifically robust content that informs policy and operational decisions worldwide. Dr. Morse’s appointment heralds a renewed commitment to this transformative journey.

In closing, the Society’s strategic decision to elevate Dr. Morse to Editor-in-Chief sets a progressive tone for the future of disaster medicine publishing. His expertise in epidemiology, commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and editorial leadership during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic position him uniquely to guide the journal toward greater scientific impact and practical relevance. The global community of health professionals and scholars eagerly anticipates the innovative directions and critical discourse that will emerge under his tenure.

Subject of Research:
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Article Title:
Stephen S. Morse, Ph.D., Appointed Next Editor-in-Chief of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

News Publication Date:
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Keywords:
Epidemiology; Public health; Scientific journals; Scientific organizations; Education research; Climate systems; Life sciences; Artificial intelligence

Dr. Ahmad’s multifaceted expertise combines clinical cardiology with molecular genetics and genomics, lending a unique perspective that is primed to propel the journal into new scientific territories. He currently serves as the founding director of the Cardiovascular Genomics Program at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine and holds associate professorships in internal medicine-cardiovascular medicine, molecular physiology and biophysics, and radiology. These overlapping roles underscore his interdisciplinary approach to unraveling the complex genetic architectures of cardiovascular diseases.

His research laboratory focuses on elucidating the genetic and genomic mechanisms underlying a spectrum of inherited cardiovascular conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, glycogen storage cardiomyopathy, inherited arrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension. By leveraging both basic and translational research modalities—including in vitro systems and animal models—Ahmad seeks to translate genomic insights into therapeutic avenues. One notable investigative thread in his work explores the role of the SGLT1 protein in heritable and acquired heart failure, highlighting molecular pathways with direct clinical relevance.

During his decade-long tenure as associate editor and senior associate editor of the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), Dr. Ahmad helped to shape a dynamic editorial vision that elevated the journal’s scientific rigor and global reputation. Resigning from this role to focus fully on his new position, he expresses commitment to expanding Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine’s reach by amplifying emerging fields in cardiovascular genomics and fostering scientific innovation. His leadership aims to balance fundamental research discoveries with clinical implementation, an approach critical to bridging the gap from bench to bedside.

A hallmark of Ahmad’s editorial philosophy is the incorporation of community-engaged and equitable research frameworks. Recognizing that cardiovascular genetics is deeply intertwined with social determinants of health, he plans to spotlight studies that integrate implementation science and participatory research methodologies. These approaches are pivotal in addressing disparities and ensuring that genomic medicine advances inclusively, benefiting diverse populations and improving outcome stratifications across socioeconomic and ethnic groups.

Moreover, Dr. Ahmad envisions broadening the journal’s scope to encompass interdisciplinary collaborations that intersect with other medical specialties, health professionals, and early-career scientists. By fostering an editorial platform that invites contributions from underrepresented communities and perspectives—including patients and their families—he aims to cultivate a holistic scientific dialogue enriched by diverse voices. This strategy is designed to reflect the multifactorial nature of cardiovascular diseases, where genetics, environment, and patient experience converge.

The expansion of the editorial board is another priority under Ahmad’s stewardship, with targeted inclusion of international experts to enhance the journal’s global footprint. As cardiovascular genomic research transcends geographic boundaries, this move will facilitate cross-cultural scientific exchange and ensure that the journal remains a vanguard publication in disseminating state-of-the-art precision medicine discoveries worldwide.

Dr. Ahmad’s academic journey laid the foundation for his multidisciplinary expertise. He attained his M.D. degree from McGill University in Montreal, followed by postgraduate clinical training at McGill, Baylor College of Medicine, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Pursuing a Ph.D. in human genetics at Baylor, he subsequently completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute postdoctoral fellowship in mouse genetics at Harvard Medical School, underscoring his strong background in both clinical and experimental genetics.

Involvement with the American Heart Association spans many leadership roles beyond editorial duties. Ahmad has been actively engaged in the Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and the Committee for Scientific Sessions Programming. His service on the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Science Advisory Group further exemplifies his commitment to clinically impactful research and guideline development within inherited cardiovascular disorders.

Scientifically, Ahmad has been prolific, authoring over 60 peer-reviewed articles and contributing significantly to the field’s foundational literature. Notably, he chaired the writing group for the 2019 American Heart Association Scientific Statement on establishing specialized clinical cardiovascular genetics programs, a landmark document emphasizing standards and frameworks for integrating genetic medicine into cardiology practice. His expertise also extends to educational resources, authoring the chapter on cardiovascular genetics in the American College of Cardiology’s Self-Assessment Program.

Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine commenced publication in 2008 and has since established itself as the leading journal dedicated to mechanistic, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic innovations in cardiovascular genetics and genomics. The journal’s scope spans human studies, animal models, in vitro assays, and computational analyses, with an emphasis on translational relevance. An online-only platform publishing six issues per year, it ensures rapid dissemination of emerging science pertinent to cardiovascular biology and disease.

The journal occupies a vital niche in the portfolio of 14 American Heart Association peer-reviewed scientific journals, including flagship titles such as Circulation, Stroke, Hypertension, and the Journal of the American Heart Association. Each operates with editorial independence, governed by volunteer-led scientific publishing committees that select editors-in-chief responsible for shaping the journal vision. This model encourages open scientific discourse crucial for advancements in cardiovascular research and clinical care.

Peer review and scientific integrity remain paramount within the American Heart Association’s journals. Manuscripts undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure methodological soundness and potential clinical impact. Importantly, the Association maintains a clear separation between its administrative role and scientific content, safeguarding editorial freedom and accuracy. Funding structures prioritize diverse sources, including individual and foundation contributions, with strict policies preventing corporate influence to maintain the integrity of published science.

Under Dr. Ahmad’s leadership, Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine is poised to embrace a future where cardiovascular genomics is deeply integrated with precision health paradigms. His vision emphasizes collaborative engagement, diversity, patient-centered research, and global perspectives. This trajectory aligns with the broader movement in medicine towards personalized interventions shaped by genomic data, environmental context, and social determinants—ultimately transforming cardiovascular care and outcomes on a global scale.

Subject of Research: Cardiovascular genomics and precision medicine, inherited cardiovascular disorders, implementation science in genomic cardiovascular medicine.

News Publication Date: April 15, 2025

Web References:

• Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine Journal
• 2019 AHA Scientific Statement on Clinical Cardiovascular Genetics Programs

Keywords: Cardiovascular genomics, precision medicine, genetic cardiomyopathies, inherited cardiovascular diseases, SGLT1 protein, cardiovascular genetics programs, implementation science, equitable health, translational research, clinical cardiology, peer-reviewed scientific journals, American Heart Association