The Scientific Brilliance of Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR Once Again Recognized on the Global Stage

According to the Public Relations Office of the Motamed Cancer Institute, thirteen ACECR-affiliated researchers have been named in Stanford’s prestigious list of the top 2% most-cited scientists globally.

The “Top 2% Scientists” list, published annually by Stanford University, highlights the world’s most influential researchers based on a composite citation score (C-score) and percentile ranking, derived from Elsevier’s Scopus database. Inclusion in this list reflects significant and impactful contributions to science—often paving the way for greater opportunities in funding, collaboration, and scientific recognition.

Based on a report by the Iranian Science Information Database (ISC), the listed ACECR researchers were identified using Scopus data and Stanford’s normalized models described in the paper “A standardized citation metrics author database annotated for scientific field.”

Citation indicators have long been widely used—and sometimes misused. The Stanford model provides detailed bibliometric data, including total citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted h-index, and a composite citation indicator (C-score) which accounts for authorship position (single, first, last, etc.). The database covers both career-long impact and single recent year (2024) impact, calculated with and without self-citations, and excludes retracted articles.

Scientists are categorized according to the Science-Metrix classification system, which includes 22 main scientific fields and 174 subfields. Percentile rankings are provided for all scientists who have published at least five papers. The career-long data is updated through the end of 2024, while the single recent year data is based on citations received during the 2024 calendar year.

The selection of the top 100,000 scientists is based on the C-score (with and without self-citations) or a ranking within the top 2% of their scientific subfield. The citation data for this ranking was extracted from Scopus on August 1, 2025, and reflects citations received up to the end of 2024.

Core Indicators of the Top 2% Scientists List

The key metric used for inclusion in this list is a normalized citation indicator known as the C-score. This score is derived from multiple bibliometric indicators: total citations, h-index, and citations excluding self-citations. Each researcher’s primary field and subfield are also identified.

Only researchers ranked within the top 2% of their subfield are listed, based on the classification into 22 main and 174 sub-fields.

Stanford University’s “Top 2% Scientists” list represents a global acknowledgment of scientific excellence and impact. By compiling data across diverse scientific domains and applying a standardized, fair metric system, the list not only celebrates individual achievements but also underscores the importance of high-impact research in advancing knowledge.

ACECR Researchers in the Top 2% Citation Ranking

Given the rigor and normalization of this ranking system, we are pleased to highlight the ACECR researchers who have been recognized in this distinguished list of the world’s most-cited scientists.

ACECR, as a leading research institution with a unique structure distinct from conventional universities, continues to play a vital role in shaping the scientific landscape of Iran.