In 2025, many TAU 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 (2025)
Gino Pigatto Filho, Hospital de Clínicas, Brazil
Nikolaos Pyrgidis, LMU University Hospital of Munich, Germany
Matthias May, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Germany
Arash Amighi, The University of Washington, USA
Hiroshi Kiuchi, Osaka Central Hospital, Japan
Basil Razi, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia
Outstanding Author
Gino Pigatto Filho
Gino Pigatto Filho is a Urologist in southern Brazil, and he is in the final stages of completing his PhD in Surgical Clinics at the Federal University of Paraná. His research focuses on the management of surgical waiting lists for nephrolithiasis, a chronic and highly challenging issue in our region. In clinical practice, he specializes in the treatment of urinary stones and prostate diseases. Additionally, he serves as a proctor for Endoscopic Laser Enucleation (HoLEP/ThuLEP). Beyond research and clinical practice, he is also dedicated to teaching—He is a Surgery professor for medical undergraduates at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná.
Dr. Filho believes an ideal academic paper should have a clear purpose and generate a tangible impact on society. Additionally, researchers must always uphold intellectual honesty, resisting trends or herd mentality that may compromise the integrity of scientific work.
Dr. Filho thinks that keeping writing up-to-date is an enormous challenge, and there is no easy solution. It is crucial to distinguish between real scientific advancements and mere hype—unfortunately, hype often outweighs true progress. One of the most surprising developments in recent years has been artificial intelligence (AI). Initially, AI tools were quite ineffective, but recent breakthroughs have significantly improved their capabilities. When the AI tools are used correctly, today’s technologies can compress a researcher’s week-long workload into a single day. Moreover, applying rigorous criteria when using these tools is essential, as their results are undeniably impressive.
“During my school years, linguistics was my worst subject. I struggled to connect concepts and never imagined myself writing professionally. However, life has a way of teaching resilience. After countless mistakes and learning experiences, I now find great fulfillment in both receiving and sharing knowledge through writing,” shares Dr. Filho.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Nikolaos Pyrgidis
Dr. Nikolaos Pyrgidis is an Assistant Professor of Urology at the Ludwig-Maximillian University of Munich. He has an avid interest in evidence-based medicine, clinical research and meta-research. He has also completed a Master of Science in Medical Research Methodology. He has contributed more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, 50 oral presentations and 4 book chapters. His clinical interest focuses on benign prostatic hyperplasia, urological oncology, and sexual medicine. He is an active reviewer for more than 30 journals.
From Dr. Pyrgidis’s perspective, academic writing is fundamental in science as it facilitates the dissemination of new knowledge, fosters collaboration, and ensures the reproducibility of research. In urology, academic writing is essential for sharing clinical findings, reporting innovative treatment approaches, and contributing to evidence-based medical advancements. Well-structured scientific writing ensures that research is accessible, critically evaluated, and integrated into clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Pyrgidis thinks staying updated requires continuous engagement with the latest literature, participation in conferences, and collaboration with leading experts. In his research, he tries to incorporate recent clinical data that stem from high-impact journals to ensure his writing reflects the best available evidence. Additionally, involvement in clinical studies allows him to contribute firsthand insights rather than just summarizing existing knowledge.
“My primary motivation in academic writing is the potential impact of research on patient care and treatment strategies. As an assistant professor and a clinician-researcher, I see academic writing as a bridge between research and clinical application. The ability to contribute to the improvement of patient outcomes makes the effort worthwhile. Moreover, academic writing facilitates international collaborations, and helps establish credibility in the scientific community,” says Dr. Pyrgidis.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Matthias May
Dr. Matthias May is a Professor of Urology at St. Elisabeth Hospital in Straubing, Bavaria, Germany, where he leads a vibrant clinical research group. Additionally, he serves as a lecturer at the University of Regensburg. His academic journey has been defined by a deep commitment to urologic oncology, particularly surgical innovations, including robotic-assisted approaches, and the development of prognostic models in genitourinary cancers. Over time, his research focus has evolved toward translational projects in penile, prostate, and bladder cancers. With more than 300 peer-reviewed publications (mostly as first or senior author), an h-index of 49, and the privilege of leading over 30 multicenter studies, he remains passionately curious about the many unanswered questions his field still holds. Curious, yes – but always with both feet on the ground, a scalpel within reach, and robotic instruments in his hands most of the time.
To Dr. May, academic writing is the connective tissue of scientific progress. It is how ideas travel, how knowledge grows, and how researchers argue, collaborate, and inspire each other across borders. Writing forces clarity, demands rigor, and invites dialogue. Without it, even the most brilliant ideas would risk fading into the silence of forgotten hard drives and half-empty lab notebooks. Academic writing gives science its voice and even its rhythm.
Dr. May thinks of scientific writing as a living organism – fed by curiosity and nurtured by context. Staying up to date requires a healthy balance of humility and obsession: the humility to realize how many researchers do not know, and the obsession to chase after what they might. He always reads widely, listens carefully (especially to patients), and keeps close to the heart of clinical reality. Often, the most relevant research questions do not arise from a spreadsheet, but from a patient’s quiet sentence at the end of a consultation. He shares, “As Einstein put it, ‘I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.’ That curiosity, coupled with a tendency to ask ‘Why haven’t we figured this out yet?’, often leads me straight to a new research idea – or at least to a very long to-do list.”
“What keeps me motivated to write is the same force that originally drew me to science: a deep sense of curiosity – paired with the joy of discovery,” says Dr. May, “Writing is how I process ideas, test hypotheses, and, in many ways, have a conversation with the wider scientific world. It allows me to challenge assumptions, follow the quiet signals from clinical practice, and give form to the questions that arise when something doesn’t quite add up. But creative thinking rarely happens at a desk. Many of my most productive insights have come while running through the forest or swimming laps at the end of a long day. There’s something profoundly generative about motion – an uncluttering of the mind that makes space for clarity and inspiration. For me, physical activity is not an escape from science; it is part of its architecture.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Arash Amighi
Dr. Arash Amighi is a fifth-year urology resident at the University of Washington on the research track. He was born and raised in Los Angeles before moving to Seattle for his residency training. His research area of focus is on Andrology, exploring both sexual function and infertility. He has been involved in projects ranging from Peyronie’s disease to non-obstructive azoospermia.
Dr. Amighi believes a good academic paper starts with curiosity. A curiosity that stems from a desire to know and uncover some fundamental truth not yet understood. With curiosity established, the fervor for the research and persistence will follow. Persistence is key as every academic paper and project runs into obstacles. It would be easy to see them as roadblocks, but in reality, they are probably more like the natural banks and turns of a river. He adds, “These are inevitable and unavoidable but necessary deviations that allow truth and science to spring forth. This curiosity and openness to following where the stream of science takes you is the key to a good academic paper.”
In Dr. Amighi’s view, the author’s job is to tell a story to guide the audience down their journey of discovery. Authors should focus on conveying their research like they are talking to a friend or colleague: with excitement but also with an appropriate level of restraint. They must be careful to bring in the context of the work and describe the limitations of the project’s implications. By balancing this optimism and pragmatism, a paper will have its greatest impact and tell the best story.
“Science is slow but rewarding. Take time to breathe it in and enjoy the ride. For every breakthrough and success we read about, there have been one hundred failures before it. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and follow the science to the truth. This process of perpetual iteration can also lead to a certain level of self-improvement, so try not to lose the forest for the trees and stay externally and internally curious,” says Dr. Amighi.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Hiroshi Kiuchi
Hiroshi Kiuchi, MD, PhD, is a urologist and researcher specializing in prostate cancer and voiding dysfunction. His recent research focuses include improving the detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer through MRI-targeted biopsy, elucidating the physiological mechanisms of nocturnal polyuria, and developing mechanism-based therapeutic strategies. He is also investigating voiding dysfunction caused by female pelvic floor disorders. In addition, he is interested in optimizing surgical techniques to reduce postoperative complications such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications across these areas and continues to contribute to the advancement of urological science through both clinical and translational research.
TAU: Why do we need academic writing?
Dr. Kiuchi: Academic writing is essential because it requires us to read extensively within our field of interest, allowing us to absorb the perspectives, findings, and logical frameworks of other researchers. Through this process, we deepen our understanding of the subject matter and develop a critical eye. Furthermore, by organizing and presenting our own research in a structured and persuasive manner, we can refine our ideas and contribute meaningfully to the academic community. For physicians and researchers, mastering academic writing is indispensable for professional growth, enabling us to communicate findings effectively, influence clinical practice, and drive innovation in our field.
TAU: Data sharing has been prevalent in scientific writing in recent years. Do you think it is compulsory for authors to share their research data?
Dr. Kiuchi: Yes, I believe data sharing is essential in scientific research. It serves as a powerful deterrent against data manipulation or misconduct, particularly when researchers do not obtain the results they had anticipated. Making data openly available ensures transparency and accountability, fostering greater trust in the scientific community. Moreover, shared data can facilitate reproducibility, encourage collaboration, and accelerate the advancement of science by allowing others to build upon previous work.
TAU: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?
Dr. Kiuchi: Research does not always yield the results we expect, and at times, it can be discouraging. However, by continuing to pursue your investigations with persistence, new discoveries will inevitably emerge. The moment you uncover something that no one else in the world has seen before is truly exhilarating. I encourage you to keep moving forward, holding on to the excitement of that possibility. Every effort you make contributes to the advancement of science and brings us one step closer to better understanding and improving the world around us.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Basil Razi
Dr. Basil Razi is a urology registrar and Master of Philosophy candidate based in Sydney, Australia. He completed his Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of New South Wales, followed by a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Initially interested in ENT, he found his passion in urology, with particular interests in oncology, endourology, and reconstructive urology. He has accrued significant clinical surgical experience across both metropolitan and regional hospitals while maintaining a strong active involvement in research. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. In 2023, he was awarded Best Oral Poster Presentation at the 20th Urological Association of Asia Congress. He is currently working as a urology registrar at Western Sydney Local Health District and is completing a Master of Philosophy in prostate cancer under A/Prof David Smith at the Daffodil Centre. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Dr. Razi believes a good academic paper balances originality, rigor, and intellectual honesty. It begins with a clearly defined and relevant question and adopts a rigorous and well-chosen methodology. It should be original yet grounded in existing literature, critically engaging with past work while contributing something new. Intellectual honesty is paramount to a great paper; results must be clearly synthesized and presented as they are, acknowledging limitations, avoiding overstatement, and remaining transparent throughout. A strong paper places findings within the broader scientific context and discusses limitations openly. Clarity in communication is also vital, even the most complex ideas should be expressed in a way that is accessible. The best papers not only present data but interpret their findings in context, advancing knowledge in a manner that is credible, useful, honest, and ultimately impactful.
According to Dr. Razi, his motivation to write stems from a commitment to improving patient care and contributing to meaningful clinical progress. Research and academic writing allow researchers to challenge existing practices, generate new knowledge, and ultimately translate findings into better outcomes for their patients. Additionally, he finds the process intellectually rewarding; it forces continuous learning and collaboration with colleagues. The opportunity to contribute to a growing body of work that might help future clinicians and patients alike is deeply fulfilling.
“Academic writing is often a slow, demanding, solitary pursuit and often thankless process. Whether you’re editing for the 10th time or responding to reviewer comments that feel impossible, remember why you started this paper and that your work matters. Every carefully constructed manuscript, every dataset analyzed late at night, contributes to the broader collective scientific knowledge. Progress doesn’t always feel linear or glamorous, but perseverance is what makes impact possible. Stay curious. Stay committed. The long nights, the setbacks, the rewrites, these are all signs you’re doing the work that counts,” says Dr. Razi.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)