The following is an interview with Dr. Bernardo Patella:

1. Congratulations on your award! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about yourself and your fields of interest?
Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Bernardo Patella, and I am a chemical engineer. I graduated in 2015, pursued my Ph.D., which I completed in 2019, and worked on the development of nano electrochemical sensors during that time. After my Ph.D., I began a postdoctoral fellowship, and currently, I serve as an assistant professor. My primary areas of research are electrochemistry, electrochemical sensors, and the development of nanostructures for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions.

2. How did you hear about this award and how supportive might this kind of award be for researchers?
I have published several papers in Applied Sciences, so I am familiar with the journal. I received an email about this award, and I decided to apply. Awards like this are important as they offer opportunities for researchers to attend conferences and network with interesting individuals. They provide visibility and acknowledgment for our work, which is very motivating.

3. Do you have any suggestions for improving the visibility of these awards?
I believe emails are the most direct and effective way to promote awards, but social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram could also be utilized to reach a broader audience. These platforms can play a key role in increasing visibility and engagement.

4. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?
I think the journal is already doing a great job with initiatives like this award, as the application process is straightforward and accessible. Perhaps additional opportunities or programs could be introduced, but I recognize and appreciate the significant effort the journal already puts into supporting researchers.

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
My advice to young researchers is to focus on creating something novel—something that does not already exist in the research literature. Strive for excellence in your work and publish your findings as soon as possible. Ideas travel quickly, so being the first to publish is crucial to making a lasting impact.

6. What has been your experience with our services, both as an author and a reviewer?
I think MDPI’s approach to publishing is great. The process is very fast, which is crucial for researchers. For example, as a reviewer, I know I have two weeks to complete my task when I accept, which helps maintain a quick publication timeline. This is an important advantage because delays in publication can result in losing the novelty of your work if others publish similar findings in the meantime. While the two-week review timeline can be challenging, it is beneficial for the efficiency of the system.