In 2026, many FOMM 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)

Eiji Tanaka, Tokushima University Graduate School, Japan

Outstanding Author

Eiji Tanaka

Eiji Tanaka is Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan. He graduated from Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry in 1988 and went on to complete his PhD in 1993. He gained his special license as an orthodontist in the same year, and his orthodontic instructor license in 2000. He took up his current post in 2008 and was appointed Distinguished Adjunct Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in May 2015. Furthermore, he has several professional achievements: Visiting professor, ACTA, the Netherlands in 2003; Visiting professor, University of Oviedo, Spain in 2011, and Nantong University, China in 2019. His research is centered around biomechanics of temporomandibular joint, application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in dental tissue engineering, and development of orthodontic miniscrews. He is the author of more than 320 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Learn more about him here.

FOMM: What are the key skill sets of an author?

Dr. Tanaka: I think the skills required for an author are a spirit of inquiry, patience, and perseverance. I really believe an interest in the unknown and a spirit of inquiry aimed at shedding light on the unknown are crucial.

FOMM: How to avoid biases in one’s writing?

Dr. Tanaka: In this issue, we have published a review article; the production of such articles typically involves a collaborative approach. For example, the person responsible for literature search was different from the person in charge of literature selection. On the other hand, when conducting original research, it is extremely difficult to divide all tasks among collaborative members, and there may be some tasks that cannot be performed anonymously.

FOMM: Academic writing takes a lot of time and effort. What motivates you to do so?

Dr. Tanaka: My laboratory currently has more than 20 graduate students (PhD). Each student is expected to make and publish many articles before completing their graduate studies. As a result, this may be what motivates me to work so productively on producing academic articles myself.

(by Brad Li, Masaki Lo)