In 2026, many AOJ authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.

Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.

Outstanding Authors (2026)

Jose M. Gutierrez-Naranjo, The University of Minnesota, USA

Kanto Nagai, The Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Outstanding Author

Jose M. Gutierrez-Naranjo

Dr. Gutierrez-Naranjo is a PGY-1 resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota with a background in orthopaedic research. Before residency, he worked in research at UT Health San Antonio and the Hospital for Special Surgery, with a focus on shoulder and elbow. His work has included clinical outcomes research in total elbow arthroplasty, surgical technique development, addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations, and developing machine learning models to predict postoperative complications. His current interests include musculoskeletal medicine, sports rehabilitation, and the application of data-driven approaches to patient care.

From Dr. Gutierrez-Naranjo’s perspective, academic writing is the foundation of scientific progress. It allows findings to be communicated clearly, evaluated by others, and applied beyond a single study or institution. In clinical research, it also forces clarity of thought—if something cannot be explained clearly, it is usually not well understood. It is what makes research reproducible and relevant to practice.

Dr. Gutierrez-Naranjo stays current by regularly reviewing literature and tracking the evolution of evidence. He prioritizes identifying gaps in clinical practice. Much of the literature reinforces what is already known without changing management, so he approaches his work from that perspective and focuses on questions that add meaningful insight.

Dr. Gutierrez-Naranjo is motivated by the clinical side. Beginning with the observation of patterns—such as complications, gaps in care, and inefficiencies—writing serves as a systematic approach to study these issues and contribute more than just a single patient encounter. It is also a way to build tools or frameworks, whether through outcomes research or data-driven models, that can be applied in clinical practice.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)

Kanto Nagai

Dr. Kanto Nagai, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, specializing in knee surgery, arthroscopy, and sports medicine. After completing his MD (2007), residency (2014), and PhD (2016) at Kobe University, he served as a research fellow at the University of Pittsburgh under Prof. Freddie Fu, focusing on ACL injuries, in vivo knee kinematics, and biomechanics. His research bridges clinical and basic sciences, encompassing knee ligaments, cartilage, meniscus, and osteotomy. He serves on the Editorial Boards of KSSTA and JEO, and is a member of the ISAKOS Scientific Committee, ACL Study Group, ESSKA, and APKASS. He has received the KSSTA Best Reviewer Award (2019), the KSSTA Jón Karlsson Researcher Award for Clinical Science (2021), and the APKASS-AOSSM Traveling Fellowship (2024).

From Dr. Nagai’s perspective, a good academic paper addresses a clear and meaningful knowledge gap — one that asks a question the field has not yet been able to answer. The novelty of the question alone, however, is not enough. The study must be built on a well-defined hypothesis and a rigorously designed methodology, so that the conclusions drawn are both valid and reproducible. Finally, a truly good paper presents a fair and balanced discussion that honestly acknowledges the limitations of the work. Science advances through careful inquiry, not overstatement, and he believes the most impactful papers are those that contribute meaningfully to the conversation rather than simply claiming to have the final word.

Dr. Nagai believes that authors should consider their target audience throughout the writing process, ensuring that the message is communicated clearly and logically from the introduction to the conclusion. It is important to present the data transparently and to avoid selectively reporting results. Authors should also strive to situate their findings within the broader literature, making the clinical or scientific relevance of the work explicit. Attention to structure, language precision, and adherence to journal guidelines are equally critical — a well-executed study can unfortunately be overlooked if it is poorly presented. Lastly, embracing feedback from peer reviews should be seen as an opportunity to enhance the work, rather than a challenge to resist.

“As a clinician, I have the privilege of directly treating patients in the operating room and outpatient clinic every day here in Japan. That direct impact is deeply rewarding, but it is inherently limited to those I can personally reach. Academic writing allows me to extend that reach far beyond the walls of my hospital. When I publish research, the knowledge I share has the potential to influence how surgeons around the world make decisions — and through them, to benefit patients I will never meet. I find great satisfaction in knowing that a paper I have written may be cited by a researcher in another country, or that it may change clinical practice in ways I cannot directly observe. That indirect but far-reaching impact is what motivates me to invest the time and effort that academic writing demands,” says Dr. Nagai.

(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)