University of Hong Kong Researcher Publishes Most “Hot Papers,” While U.S. Researchers Make Strong Showing

Philadelphia, PA, USA-London, UK - March 24, 2005 - Publishing nine highly cited Hot Papers on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has earned the University of Hong Kong’s Malik Peiris the title “hottest researcher,” according to the March/April issue of Science Watch — the bi-monthly newsletter published by Thomson Scientific, a business unit of The Thomson Corporation.

“The issue’s cover article, ‘The Hottest Research of 2003-2004,’ details the annual snapshot of researchers making a significant recent impact in science,” said Christopher King, editor of Science Watch. “Being identified as an author of numerous Hot Paper demonstrates a researcher’s impact on research happening today.”

The Thomson Scientific Hot Papers Database identifies a published work as a Hot Paper if it has achieved a rate of citations in scientific journals that is markedly higher than papers of comparable type and age. The researchers named in Science Watch published the most Hot Papers in the latest two-year period reviewed by Thomson Scientific. Only “non-review” articles — those presenting original research — are considered. While often highly cited, papers that review or summarize existing research are not included in the rankings.

Peiris, who works in the field of microbiology, topped the list with nine Hot Papers. Ranking second with eight Hot Papers, Claire M. Fraser of the Institute for Genomic Research, reappears on the list after a four-year absence.

Based on Thomson’s findings, researchers from U.S. institutions accounted for the majority of Hot Papers making the list — 58 papers, or nearly 55 percent — among nine researchers. Researchers from Hong Kong institutions accounted for nearly 22 percent with 23 Hot Papers.

All in all, the rankings recognize 16 researchers at 12 institutions. The University of Hong Kong, The Institute for Genomic Research (U.S.A.) and Erasmus University (Netherlands) are home to two Hot Papers authors.

“Hottest” Researchers, ranked by number of Hot Papers:
(Ordered in each tier by average citations per Hot Paper)

Also ranked in the March/April Science Watch were the year’s “Red Hot Research Papers” — papers published in 2004 in non-review journals that achieved the highest citation totals by year’s end. For the list of “Red-Hot Research Papers of 2004,” please contact Rodney Yancey at 215-386-6362 or rodney.yancey@thomson.com.

NOTE: For a complimentary subscription to Science Watch, contact Rodney Yancey at 215-386-6362 or by email at rodney.yancey@thomson.com.

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