FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 25, 2025
Contact: Leann Fox, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs
lfox@biophysics.org | (240) 290-5606
Melanie Cocco Named as Next Editor-in-Chief of Biophysical Reports
BETHESDA, MD – The Biophysical Society is pleased to announce that Melanie Cocco of the University of California, Irvine has been named as the new Editor-in-Chief of Biophysical Reports, the Society’s high-quality, forward-looking gold open access journal. The journal published its first articles in 2021, with Cocco as one of the original Associate Editors. Cocco will begin her term on January 1, 2026.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed Editor-in-Chief of Biophysical Reports at a time when the field of biophysics is evolving rapidly and intersects with many areas of science,” said Cocco. “I would like to recognize the hard work that the founding editor, Jörg Enderlein, invested in establishing this journal. My vision is to ensure that Biophysical Reports maintains this strong initiative to become a premier platform for high-impact research, foster scientific integrity, and highlight the diversity of approaches in advancing our understanding of biological systems. As the newest journal of the Biophysical Society, Biophysical Reports plays a vital role in advancing and disseminating high-quality short reports and innovative research in biophysics. I am excited to work with the editorial team, authors, and reviewers to uphold its mission. I look forward to supporting the community by fostering a rigorous, inclusive, and forward-thinking platform that reflects the breadth and depth of modern biophysical science.” With Cocco’s long record of service to the Biophysical Society and commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, she is poised to lead Biophysical Reports into an exciting new chapter.
The journal’s current and first Editor-in-Chief, Jörg Enderlein of Third Institute of Physics – Biophysics, Georg August University, led the journal through its first five years to establish it as a respected all-Open Access option for the Biophysical Society’s publications program. The journal publishes articles in all areas of biophysics, emphasizing rapid publication and making it easier for specialists and generalists to share new insights into experimental data or new technologies and methodologies.
Enderlein says, “As the journal’s first Editor-in-Chief, I was exceptionally fortunate to assemble a highly competent, engaged, and enthusiastic board of editors, without whom this entire endeavor would never have been successful. Now, five years later, I am proud to see a flourishing journal with excellent manuscripts and an Impact Factor of 2.7. I am very happy to hand the torch over to the next Editor-in-Chief, Melanie Cocco, who I am absolutely certain will lead the journal to new heights and successes. Leading this journal has been an extremely exciting and rewarding enterprise, and I am confident that Biophysical Reports is in the best possible hands with Melanie as my successor."
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The Biophysical Society, founded in 1958, is a professional, scientific Society established to lead the development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its annual meeting, publications, and committee and outreach activities. Its 6,500 members are located throughout the United States and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry.