We are pleased to announce that the published paper “Production of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Energy Sources: A Review” by Debora Mignogna, Paolo Ceci, Claudia Cafaro, Giulia Corazzi, and Pasquale Avino, has been chosen as one of the 10 articles of exceptional quality that were published in the journal during 2023 and won the Applied Sciences 2023 Best Paper Award. The winners will receive CHF 500 and a chance to publish a paper free of charge (subject to peer review) in Applied Sciences in 2025.

The following is a short interview with the winners:

1. Congratulations on winning the 2023 Best Paper Award! Could you briefly introduce yourself and the main content of the winning paper to our readers?
Prof. Dr. Pasquale Avino: My name is Pasquale Avino, and I am a professor of analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry at the University of Molise. I also collaborate extensively with other Italian research institutes, and I am truly pleased about this award, which represents the result of a joint project. Ms. Mignogna, the first author of the paper, was the main driving force behind this work. We strongly believe the topic of our paper, about biogas and biomethane, is central to the green transition, a key issue in today’s economy.
Ms. Debora Mignogna: I am a PhD student at the University of Molise, where I began my doctoral studies three years ago. This paper was my first research activity in this field and my first published paper. My PhD project focuses on emerging biomass and its role in ecological transition processes, particularly looking at the environmental impacts compared with traditional renewable energy sources. Working on this review gave me an excellent opportunity to strengthen my knowledge in the area, which I believe is of both scientific and policy importance, given the global energy crisis.

2. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to submit your paper? What benefits do you think authors can gain when publishing their articles in Applied Sciences?
Prof. Dr. Avino: The open access model was a decisive factor, as it allows research to reach a broad audience and fosters knowledge sharing across the scientific community. I have published several papers in Applied Sciences and find it to be a very strong journal, covering diverse aspects of science and providing a platform for wide dissemination. My experience has been consistently positive.
Ms. Mignogna: For me, this was the first paper I had ever submitted, and it was a very positive experience. I was impressed by the peer review process, and the reviewers provided precise, detailed feedback, which helped me greatly improve the paper. I think Applied Sciences provides valuable opportunities for young researchers to learn how to prepare strong scientific articles.

3. What is your current research, and why did you choose this field?
Prof. Dr. Avino: My main expertise is in analytical and environmental chemistry, with a focus on methodologies for identifying compounds across various fields. This specific paper was our first foray into the topic of biofuels and the green transition, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from the Italian National Research Council. It proved to be a highly fruitful direction, and the results so far have been very promising.
Ms. Mignogna: As mentioned, my PhD research focuses on emerging biomass and its applications in ecological transition, including evaluating environmental impacts. I see this area as vital, not only scientifically but also in terms of its implications for public policy. The urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and finding alternatives to fossil fuels makes this a highly relevant field for the future.

4. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Prof. Dr. Avino: Energy is certainly at the forefront, especially renewable and alternative sources such as biogas. This will remain a priority topic for years to come. Beyond energy, I also see human health as an enduring research priority. Areas such as indoor air quality and the impact of microplastics in food and the environment will be critical in the near future.
Ms. Mignogna: I fully agree. In addition, I see great potential in circular economy approaches, such as combining agricultural or food industry residues for co-digestion and bioenergy production. Developing real-time monitoring systems to assess the impacts of these technologies on indoor and outdoor air quality could also be very valuable.

5. Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research, and how did you overcome them?
Prof. Dr. Avino: The main challenge is always funding both equipment and personnel. While opportunities exist, it can often be difficult to access accurate information about available funding streams. Securing resources remains the key obstacle for continuing high-quality research.
Ms. Mignogna: For me, the biggest challenge when working on this paper was synthesizing a very large amount of literature and dealing with conflicting viewpoints. It required developing a critical perspective to determine which sources were reliable. On the experimental side, a limitation I face is access to small-scale tools for testing biogas processes, which would be useful for my PhD research.

6. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Prof. Dr. Avino: I think the initiatives by MDPI, such as the Best Paper Award, Young Investigator Award, and travel grants, play a vital role in encouraging young researchers. Such support not only promotes research but also helps young scholars engage actively in the scientific community. Open access is also a powerful tool for sharing knowledge widely. My advice to young researchers is to take advantage of these opportunities, publish openly, and immerse themselves in scientific life at an international level.
Ms. Mignogna: I agree. As a young researcher myself, I see these programs as very supportive and motivating.

7. Applied Sciences is an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts the authors?
Prof. Dr. Avino: Open access has already proven to be the future of publishing. It ensures that scientific information can be freely shared worldwide without restrictions, which is crucial for advancing research.
Ms. Mignogna: During my PhD training, I was taught that open access democratizes knowledge. It ensures that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and build on existing research, which helps science progress more fairly and transparently.

8. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
Prof. Dr. Avino: I would like to thank Debora for her excellent work. This was her first experience in the field, and her dedication has been central to our success. I also want to thank our colleagues at the Italian National Research Council, particularly Dr. Paolo Ceci, who gave us the opportunity to collaborate. Finally, I am grateful to Applied Sciences and the Guest Editor of the Special Issue for believing in our project.
Ms. Mignogna: I wish to sincerely thank Prof. Avino and Dr. Ceci for their guidance and for giving me the opportunity to work on this paper. I am also deeply grateful to the entire research group for their support and collaboration, especially during the more difficult stages of the work. For me, this award represents the achievement of the whole team.

9. Do you have any suggestions for our journal as to how we could further support researchers and the academic community?
Prof. Dr. Avino: The journal already does a lot through its voucher system, awards, and recognition programs. I would, however, encourage even greater support for young researchers, especially in covering publication costs, which can sometimes be a barrier.
Ms. Mignogna: I believe the journal already does excellent work. As a young scientist, I particularly value the seriousness of the peer review process, which is essential for advancing science.