About the Journal
The Root Gatherers is the official disciplinary journal of the College of Pharmacy and Chemistry of the University of the Immaculate Conception. This journal primarily showcases the research outputs of the college that contributes to the advancement of pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences and technology, health sciences, public health, as well as chemistry and chemical sciences at a local, national, and international level. The Root Gatherers also accepts external submissions of research articles and reviews that align with the aims and scope of this journal and the College. The journal is published by the Research, Publications, and Innovation Center of the University of the Immaculate Conception.
The title “Root Gatherers” speaks to the essence of pharmacy and chemistry as disciplines grounded in both origin and inquiry. To gather roots is to seek foundational knowledge from traditional practices, scientific discovery, natural products, molecular understanding, and lived community experiences, then transform these origins into innovation, discovery, and solutions that benefit society. It reflects the role of pharmacists, chemists, researchers, and educators as scholar-practitioners who honor where knowledge begins while continuously cultivating it through research, experimentation, education, and service. In this sense, The Root Gatherers represents a collective commitment to curiosity, rigor, humility, and the pursuit of evidence that advances pharmaceutical sciences, chemical sciences, health, and human well-being for all.
Aims and Scope
The Root Gatherers: UIC Research Journal of Pharmacy and Chemistry aims to contribute to the advancement of the following areas:
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Pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy
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Pharmaceutical sciences and technology
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Chemistry and chemical sciences
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Health sciences
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Public health and epidemiology
Open Access Policy
The Root Gatherers is an open access scholarly journal committed to the free and immediate dissemination of knowledge in the fields of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, health sciences, and public health. In alignment with the University of the Immaculate Conception’s mandate to promote research, innovation, and academic excellence, all published content in the journal is made freely accessible to the public without subscription fees, access charges, or article processing fees.
All articles accepted for publication are made available online immediately upon formal publication and may be read, downloaded, shared, and cited without restriction, provided that appropriate attribution is given to the original authors and the journal. This policy ensures that research outputs are accessible to a broad audience, including academics, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public, thereby maximizing the visibility and impact of the scholarly work published in the journal.
The Root Gatherers does not impose any charges for manuscript submission, peer review, or publication. This no-fee model reflects the journal’s institutional support and its commitment to reducing barriers to scholarly communication, particularly for researchers within the College of Pharmacy and Chemistry and its external contributors.
By adopting a full and immediate open access policy, The Root Gatherers upholds the principles of knowledge equity, academic transparency, and the advancement of evidence-based practice. The journal encourages the ethical use and dissemination of its content while maintaining the integrity of authorship and scholarly attribution.
Peer Review Process
The journal employs a double-blind peer review system to ensure the quality, integrity, and scholarly merit of all submitted manuscripts. Under this process, the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review period to minimize potential bias and promote objective evaluation.
Upon completion of the initial editorial screening, manuscripts that meet the journal’s scope and submission requirements are assigned to at least two independent expert reviewers selected by the Editorial Board based on their subject-matter expertise and the absence of conflicts of interest. Reviewers evaluate the manuscript for its originality, methodological rigor, significance, ethical compliance, clarity of presentation, and contribution to the field.
Reviewer comments and recommendations are communicated to the corresponding author, who is given the opportunity to revise the manuscript and submit a detailed response to the reviewers’ concerns. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation to determine whether the issues raised have been adequately addressed. Multiple rounds of review may be conducted when necessary to ensure that the manuscript meets the journal’s publication standards.
In cases where additional expertise is required or when reviewer recommendations substantially differ, the Editorial Board may appoint one or more additional reviewers to provide further assessment. The final decision regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of a manuscript rests with the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board, who consider the reviewers’ recommendations alongside the journal’s editorial policies and publication standards.
The journal is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent, and rigorous peer review process in accordance with recognized standards of scholarly publishing and publication ethics.
