McMaster University’s Salim Yusuf has tied for second place in the annual ranking of the “hottest” scientific researchers, according to Thomson Reuter’s Science Watch. Yusuf was a co-author of 13 of the most cited papers in 2011. Only one other researcher, genomic pioneer Eric Lander of the Broad Institute of MIT, had more highly-cited papers than Yusuf.
Two of Yusuf’s most-cited papers tested novel anticoagulants in the setting of atrial fibrillation: the RE-LY trial with dabigatran and the AVERROES trial with apixaban. “It’s a new experience to be called a hottie,” Yusuf joked in an interview with the Hamilton Spectator. “This means it has impact on other scientists. It’s nice to know you’re doing something useful.” The Science Watchreport also included a list of “red-hot” research papers published in 2011. Five of the top 38 papers were cardiology-related:
- S.J. Connolly, et al., “Apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation,” New Engl. J. Med., 364(9): 806-17, 3 March 2011.
- F. Zannad, et al., “Eplerenone in patients with systolic heart failure and mild symptoms,” New Engl. J. Med., 364(1): 11-21, 6 January 2011.
- H.J. Bouman, et al., “Paraoxonase-1 is a major determinant of clopidogrel efficacy,” Nature Med., 17(1): 110-6, January 2011.
- A.V. Khera, et al., “Cholesterol efflux capacity, high-density lipoprotein function, and atherosclerosis,” New Engl. J. Med., 364(2): 127-35, 13 January 2011.
- G.W. Stone, et al., “A prospective natural-history study of coronary atherosclerosis,” New Eng. J. Med., 364(3): 226-35, 20 January 2011.
Here is the press release from Thomson Reuters:
Really!! in an age when mortality from HIV has been decimated and cancer has had major inroads into treatment, is this how low we set the bar that we call dabigatran a “hottie”. Salim Yusuf in the days of ISIS and GUSTO did really do something as a clinical epidemiologist now all I see is his name appended to one after another tepid non-inferiority,-market -share -seeking trials. Thompson Reuters are pimping this for all its worth, which is not a lot.
Wilbur Larch MD FACC