The good life of a science editor
June 2, 2026 @ 09:30 – 10:30 CEST
Dr. Alejandro Montenegro-Montero, Executive Editor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Abstract
Editors at scientific journals occupy a unique position at the interface between research, communication, and community building. But what does the role actually involve, and how does one move from the bench to a career in scientific publishing?
In this talk, Dr. Alejandro Montenegro-Montero, will provide an inside look at the life of a professional scientific editor. He will discuss the core responsibilities of the role, which include managing peer review, working with authors and reviewers, developing journal strategy, commissioning content, and navigating complex ethical and integrity cases. He will also reflect on the skills and personal attributes that are essential for success in scientific editing, including broad intellectual curiosity, diplomacy, and decisiveness.
Finally, the talk will explore how researchers can prepare for and pursue careers in scientific publishing, highlighting different entry points into the field and practical steps for those considering a transition beyond the bench.
Biography
Dr. Alejandro Montenegro-Montero is an Executive Editor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Press, where he oversees CSH Protocols and leads the laboratory manuals program. He also commissions and develops content for CSH Perspectives in Biology and CSH Perspectives in Medicine, two leading review journals in the life and biomedical sciences, working closely with the scientific community to identify emerging topics and champion high-impact collections. At CSHL Press, Dr. Montenegro-Montero also leads the “Integrity in Publishing” group, providing support and advice to colleagues, editors, and societies on ethical cases and publishing best practices.
Dr. Montenegro-Montero was trained as a molecular biologist, with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from P. Universidad Católica de Chile. His research focused on gene regulation, specifically on the characterization of transcriptional regulatory networks in eukaryotes. Following postdoctoral work at P. Universidad Católica de Chile and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, he transitioned into scientific publishing. He served as Chief Editor of Health Science Reports at Wiley, before joining Current Protocols as Senior Editor, where he ran the molecular biology, plant biology, and toxicology sections and collaborated with multiple corporate partners to develop innovative content for the scientific community.
Host: Xesùs Abalo xesus.abalo@scilifelab.se
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