On June 22, 2005, we announced the start of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology (JNIP) to the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology (SNIP).

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JNIP’s vision from the beginning, like other biomedical research journals, was to develop a “unique format for publishing scholarly works.” What separated JNIP from the others rested in its quest to intersect the divergent disciplines of neuroscience, immunology, microbial pathogenesis, and pharmacology. This goal served our Society (and society at large) by forging new concepts and “state-of-the-art” science that could describe how the brain and the immune system are linked, as it is seen in both health and disease.

That vision became reality with the first quarterly issue of JNIP published in March 2006. The Journal’s growing impact demonstrates its success to date with a 2019 impact factor of 4.113. This new impact factor marks the third consecutive yearly increase, and it positions JNIP in the first quartile of pharmacology journals and as such among the world’s top-ranked field publications. Thanks to the countless authors, reviewers, editors, and Springer for making this possible.

Someone who deserves special recognition for this success is Robin Taylor, JNIP’s managing editor since its inception, a longtime friend, and colleague for more than 22 years. Robin’s prowess in technology, literature, design, event planning, and project management played important roles in developing the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and JNIP.

Many of us worked closely with Robin and interacted with her through contributions to a number of books and monographs. These included The Neurology of AIDS (Oxford University Press); “Molecular Markers and Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Nervous System Disease” (Journal of Neuroimmunology); “Neural Immunity: Friend or Foe?” (Journal of NeuroVirology); “The Blood Brain Barrier in Health and Disease” (Journal of NeuroVirology); and Neuroimmune Pharmacology (graduate medical education textbook, Springer). The books are now in second or third editions. Meanwhile, Robin amassed countless additional editing credits while balancing JNIP editor duties.

In 2008, SNIP honored Robin with the Society’s Outstanding Service and Support Award, given to individuals who have provided extraordinary service in support of the Society and its mission. Although not a scientist per se, Robin proved herself to be a steward for the emergent field of neuroimmune pharmacology. JNIP’s growth is in large part due to her determination and excellence at the helm.

After nearly 15 years in the role of managing editor, in June, Robin trained her successor and officially retired from JNIP and UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience. The new managing editor, Doug Meigs, joins JNIP with a background in journalism and sociology. He was most recently the executive editor of Omaha Magazine, and his work has appeared in a wide range of media outlets including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Quartz, Foreign Policy, Indian Country Today, The South China Morning Post, The Omaha World-Herald, China Daily and others. He contributed editing, writing, and societal analysis to this tribute and an ambitious interdisciplinary review article in this issue titled “The Natural History, Pathobiology and Clinical Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2.”

This issue of JNIP also features a special theme section on exosomes from Guest Editors Drs. Elena Batrakova, Nazira El-Hage, and Santosh Kumar. It is one of several important theme issues begun by Robin in conjunction with Guest Editors that JNIP will see through to publication.

FormalPara Robin Shares her Parting Words

“It has been an honor and pleasure working with everyone at JNIP — the section editors, editorial board, authors, reviewers, Springer, and especially, Dr. Howard E. Gendelman, Editor-in-Chief. I will be watching and cheering for all of you from the sidelines. Best wishes and many successes in all your research. You make a positive difference in our world.”