Impact, visibility and connection: Dr Ibrahim Tarik Ozbolat talks open access publishing with IOP Publishing
30 May 2023 by Faye Holst
Dr. Ibrahim Tarik Ozbolat is professor in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department of Penn State. He is a specialist in 3D bioprinting, artificial organs, and regenerative medicine and has recently published a paper in the journal Biofabrication which looks at a new way to generate microgels.
- Can you tell us about your latest findings?
Our latest study shows a new technique to make larger quantities of microgels in a much easier way. Due to their properties, microgels are gaining immense attention for use in tissue repair and regeneration. Currently, there are several microgel fabrication techniques, but their wide usage is challenged as they are expensive and time consuming.
With our new technique we can produce more microgels which can be used to create self-healing materials, drug-delivery systems and bioinks to assist 3D imaging of human tissues and organs. Our study has the potential to accelerate tissue engineering technologies and improve the quality of life for many people.
- The research group conducting this study consisted of seven researchers, how did the team make sure all researchers were able to contribute their expertise?
Our research is focused on 3D bioprinting, which requires expertise from different backgrounds, so we assembled a team of seven researchers with backgrounds in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering. Collaborating with a diverse group of researchers with different backgrounds and expertise can be challenging. However, we took measures to ensure that all seven members were able to contribute their expertise effectively.
- Why did you decide to publish the research open access?
I believe that the democratization of scientific knowledge is essential, and one way to accomplish this goal is by making research open to access. By removing barriers to accessing scientific information, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or financial resources, has the opportunity to engage with and benefit from scientific research. Open access publishing is also an excellent way to make scientific information available to a broader audience, including researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
“By making our article freely available, we were able to reach a much wider audience. As a result, we received more downloads and views of our article than we had anticipated. “
- What benefits did you see from publishing your work open access?
Publishing our research open access did lead to some surprising outcomes. One of the most notable things that happened was the increased visibility of our work. By making our article freely available, we were able to reach a much wider audience. As a result, we received more downloads and views of our article than we had anticipated. Additionally, some researchers working in the same field reached out with queries or for possible collaborations.
- Did the transformative agreement make it easier to publish open access?
Typically, when publishing research is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding agency, it is published on platforms like PubMed. However, the publication process can sometimes be time-consuming, with a delay in online availability. The transformative agreement streamlined the publication process, ensuring that our research was made available online as soon as it was accepted.
Taking advantage of a transformative agreement made the process of publishing open access very straightforward
Professor Ozbolat published his research through a transformative agreement between IOP Publishing and Penn State University. This agreement enables corresponding authors at Penn State to publish their work in more than 70 IOP journals at no cost to them. Articles published under a transformative agreement are immediately available and free for everyone to access. Find out more at our transformative agreement hub.