Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology

When Professor Mohamed T. Khayyal asked me, on behalf of his colleagues at the Egyptian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (EJBCP), the official journal of the Society, I did not hesitate to oblige, despite fully realizing the challenges that lie ahead.

For two main reasons, I could not have declined this call for duty. First, Professor Khayyal is the first to have introduced me, and countless others, to Pharmacology many years ago as an undergraduate student at the Cairo University Faculty of Pharmacy. His textbook has remained an asset to me in my library over many years. His lectures still bring pleasant memories in discussions with former classmates. Pharmacology labs of the time introduced us to albino mice, then “cute” to some and “menace” to most; the experience was excellent training for those of us who later undertook a career in research.

As for the second reason that made it impossible for me to say “No” to Professor Khayyal's request of me, has to do with a surprise I faced when I went to see him in his office at the Cairo University Faculty of Pharmacy after decades of not having seen him. I found the same enthusiasm for life, love for science and dedication to acquiring and producing novel knowledge. I caught glimpses of lengthy and inspiring discussions between him and his research team members. During our numerous meetings discussing plans for EJBCP, his sense of humor and loud laughter energized me and instilled enthusiasm and hope in me for the future of the journal.

With help and vision from Professor Khayyal, we started to plan for the future of EJBCP. We secured the commitment of a young budding professional publishing house in Egypt, Agial Publishing House. I have worked with them on another similar endeavor and have found their enthusiasm and professionalism to match what we need at this crucial juncture for EJBCP.

We are pleased and grateful to have a group of renowned Pharmacologists and Toxicologists from Egypt and beyond to serve on the Editorial Board. The publisher has developed a state-of-the-art website for the journal that allows electronic manuscript submission, reviewing and tracking with great ease. We have developed an editorial workflow that enables us to seek high quality reviews of submitted manuscripts. We are eager, motivated and ready to present a superb forum for scientists in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology from around the world to share their novel and break-through research findings and vision with their colleagues worldwide.

I am grateful to Professor Khayyal and his colleagues at the Egyptian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics for their confidence. Sincere thanks also are due to my colleagues on the Editorial Board who are willing to take this journey with me. I look forward to an endeavor that will make us all proud.