In 2025, JMAI reviewers continue to make outstanding contributions to the peer review process. They demonstrated professional effort and enthusiasm in their reviews and provided comments that genuinely help the authors to enhance their work.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding reviewers, with a brief interview of their thoughts and insights as a reviewer. Allow us to express our heartfelt gratitude for their tremendous effort and valuable contributions to the scientific process.
Seung-Won Lee, Sungkyunkwan University, Korea
Seung-Won Lee
Prof. Seung Won Lee received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Seoul National University in 2011. He then earned his MD from CHA University in 2015, followed by a Ph.D. from the same university in 2018. Previously, he served as the chief of the Goseo Public Health Center and then as the Chair of the Data Science Department at Sejong University. Since 2022, he has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Precision Medicine at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine. His research areas include Medical AI, Medical Big Data, and Digital Health. Learn more about him here.
Prof. Lee points out that the peer-review system, while essential, faces several significant limitations. Reviewer bias remains a persistent issue, whether unconscious preferences for certain methodologies, theories, institutions, or authors. The process is often unnecessarily protracted, delaying the dissemination of potentially impactful research. This is partly because reviewers receive minimal formal recognition for their considerable time and effort. Additionally, review quality varies substantially depending on reviewer expertise and commitment, meaning that errors may go undetected, particularly in highly specialized or interdisciplinary research. The growing volume of submissions has also strained the system, making it increasingly difficult to find qualified reviewers willing to commit their time. To improve the system, he recommends implementing more widespread double-blind or triple-blind reviews to minimize bias. Reviewers need better mechanisms for recognizing and rewarding high-quality peer-review work. He believes that AI tools can be cautiously integrated to assist with initial screenings, plagiarism detection, and statistical verification, allowing reviewers to focus on deeper analysis. Additionally, promoting more transparent review processes where reviews are published alongside papers could improve accountability and quality while providing valuable learning resources for early-career researchers.
Prof. Lee acknowledges that complete elimination of bias is impossible, but he employs several strategies to minimize its impact on his reviews. First, he practices self-awareness by consciously reflecting on his own preferences and preconceptions before beginning a review. When reviewing manuscripts, he follows a structured approach, systematically evaluating methodology, results, and conclusions against established standards in the field rather than personal preferences. He also makes it a practice to review papers outside his immediate specialty and geographical region, which helps broaden his perspective. Finally, he actively seeks to upgrade his knowledge about different research approaches and cultural contexts in science, which helps him appreciate diverse scientific traditions and methodologies, reducing the likelihood that unfamiliarity might be mistaken for poor quality.
Lastly, Prof. Lee would like to say a few words to thank all reviewers, “As we navigate the changing landscape of scientific publishing, your expertise becomes even more valuable. The critical thinking and specialized knowledge you bring to review cannot be replaced by technology, though it may be augmented by it. I believe we should collectively advocate for better recognition systems for reviewers, including academic credits, compensation, and formal acknowledgment in career advancement processes. Your dedication deserves recognition not just from authors but from the entire scientific community. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to scientific integrity and progress.”
(by Lareina Lim, Brad Li)
