Dear readers and contributors of the Journal of Neural Engineering,

It is with a mix of sadness and excitement that I announce my departure as Editor-in-Chief after founding and leading the journal for 18 years. While it is difficult for me to step down from a role that I have held for so long, I believe that it is time for new perspectives and directions to guide the journal's future. I have full confidence that the Journal will continue to thrive and excel under the capable leadership of my successor, Dr Warren Grill. Dr Grill is a highly respected neural engineer and has been closely involved with the Journal for many years, making him the ideal candidate to take on this role. The field of neural engineering is constantly evolving, and I am eager to see where the Journal will go under his guidance. I also want to take a moment to reflect on the journey that we have shared over the years. When I first established the Journal in 2004, my goal was to provide a dedicated publication for engineers working on the nervous system to share their research and ideas. I am proud to say that, with IOP Publishing as our publisher, we have not only achieved this goal but have also established the Journal of Neural Engineering as a leader in the field, with a strong reputation in many areas such as neural interfacing, brain-machine interface, and EEG processing. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the JNE staff and the invaluable expertise and advice of our Editorial Board members. Their contributions have been instrumental in the JNE's success and growth, and I am deeply grateful for their support. I have greatly valued their insights and perspectives, and I am confident that the Journal will continue to benefit from their expertise under the leadership of Dr Grill. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of reviewers who have contributed to the Journal over the years. Their tireless work and dedication to ensuring the high quality of the published articles is essential to the Journal's success and reputation. The process of peer review is vital to the scientific community, and I am grateful to all the reviewers who have helped to maintain the high standards of the Journal. Their contributions are invaluable and greatly appreciated. As I leave JNE in a strong position, with a high and stable impact factor, I am confident that it will continue to be a vital resource for those working in the field. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible journey and for the support of our readers and contributors over the years. I look forward to seeing all of the exciting research and discoveries that will be shared in the JNE's pages in the future.

Dominique M Durand