Dr. Vania Assis, a postdoctoral scholar working at the USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) Center for Global Health Inter-Disciplinary Research, recently guest edited an issue of the scientific journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

 The issue focused on amphibian immunity.

“Amphibians are a group of animals that include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians,” said Assis, who works with COPH Professor Lynn “Marty” Martin in the Martin Lab. “They are known for their unique ability to live both on land and in water. Amphibians are considered bioindicators of environmental health. This means that their well-being and the presence of diseases in their populations can serve as warning signs for potential threats to human health. By monitoring the health of amphibians, we can detect early signs of environmental degradation or disease outbreaks that might have broader implications for human populations.”

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B publishes high-quality themed issues on topics of current importance within the life sciences. Each issue is guest edited by leading authorities with research, reviews and commentary from prominent researchers.

Assis, who specializes in native anurans (for example, toads and frogs) from Brazil as well as the invasive cane toads here in Florida, saw a need to dedicate a themed issue to amphibians that would include research on their eco-immunology (the causes and consequences of immune variation). To cover various aspects like endocrine-immune interactions, stress and disease, she partnered with Drs. Stefanny C.M. Titon (University of Sao Paulo) and Jacques Robert (University of Rochester) to create a publication exploring the physiological responses and conservation needs of amphibians.

“To become a guest editor, you must be a leading research authority and submit a proposal. If your proposal is selected, you can invite the authors and take care of the editorial process with the help of the journal’s editorial team,” said Assis, who was responsible for editing five manuscripts. “Being a guest editor has allowed me to contribute to the scientific community by promoting necessary research and fostering discussion of critical concern. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the field and support the recognition of amphibians as a significant group needing conservation efforts.”

This marks the third time Assis has been a guest editor. In 2022, she edited an issue of Integrative and Comparative Biology and in 2020 took on an issue of the Journal of Experimental Zoology – Part A, a publication she’s been on the editorial board of since 2019.

“I thoroughly enjoy organizing issues and symposiums, as it allows me to bring attention to deserving research and raise awareness about the conservation needs of vulnerable species,” Assis said.

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health