Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

A message from the webinar Chair:

We invite you to join our upcoming webinar on the topic of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. The main goal of this webinar is to summarize the first volume of our Special Topic on MDPI journals which were part of the sponsorship of this editorial to the TTP11 Conference and to promote the second volume of this Topic which was set very recently following the success of the previous volume. This second volume continues to provide a platform for showcasing groundbreaking research, innovative methodologies, and promising discoveries in various facets of tick biology. The webinar will be organized into three key topics, with a talk from a senior researcher and two presentations from Ph.D. students actively working on each topic:

1. Tick microbiota;
2. Latest trends in ticks and tick-borne disease surveillance;
3. Effective prevention and control strategies.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and stay updated on these important topics that are on the rise, making awareness and prevention more critical than ever. We encourage you to participate actively and submit your questions during the webinar.

Webinar: Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Understanding Risks and Strategies for Prevention
Date: 21 May 2025
Time: 2.30 p.m. CEST | 8.30 a.m. EDT | 8.30 p.m. CDT Asia
Webinar ID: 832 6108 8276
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/topics-35

This is a free webinar. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording becomes available for viewing.

Register for free:

Program:

Webinar Chairs and Speakers:

• Dr. Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, UMR BIPAR (INRAE, Anses, EnvA), France;
• Dr. Alina Rodríguez-Mallon, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba;
• Ms. Salma Kaoutar Abdelali, University of Ferhat Abbas, Algeria;
• Ms. Lianet Abuin Denis, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba;
• Ms. Dagmara Wężyk, University of Warsaw, Poland;
• Mr. Keve Gergő, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Hungary;
• Ms. Ana Laura Cano-Argüelles, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Spain;
• Mr. Julio Enrique Duque Vizcaíno, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Cuba).

Relevant Special Issue:
“Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens: 2nd Edition”
Topic Editors: Dr. Alina Rodríguez-Mallon and Dr. Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Deadline for submission: 31 March 2026

International Day for Biological Diversity is an annual observance aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering a deeper appreciation of the value of biodiversity, while also drawing attention to the pressing threats it faces on a global scale. This day highlights the pivotal role that biodiversity plays in maintaining planetary health and human well-being, thereby reinforcing the imperative for its conservation. Under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, the International Day for Biological Diversity emphasizes the intricate interdependence between all living organisms and their ecosystems.

We hope that established journals in the subjects of Biology & Life Sciences and Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI will continue to provide a platform for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to share their findings and insights.

“Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa”
by Maya Beukes, Travis Perry, Daniel M. Parker and Nokubonga Mgqatsa
Wild 2025, 2(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2020015

“The Endangered and Protected Carabus hungaricus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Bulgaria: Distributional Patterns and Conservation Status”
by Teodora M. Teofilova and Nikolay D. Kodzhabashev
Conservation 2025, 5(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5020018

“The Multifunctional Catalytic Hemoglobin from Amphitrite ornata: Protocols on Isolation, Taxonomic Identification, Protein Extraction, Purification, and Characterization”
by Anna L. Husted, Victoria R. Sutton, Lauren A. Presnar, R. Kevin Blackburn, Joseph L. Staton, Stephen A. Borgianini and Edward L. D’Antonio
Methods Protoc. 2024, 7(6), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7060100

“Genetic Diversity, Runs of Homozygosity, and Selection Signatures in Native Japanese Chickens: Insights from Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms”
by Vanessa V. Velasco, Masaoki Tsudzuki, Norikazu Hashimoto, Naoki Goto and Akira Ishikawa
Animals 2024, 14(22), 3341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223341

“Exploring Extremotolerant and Extremophilic Microalgae: New Frontiers in Sustainable Biotechnological Applications”
by Dorian Rojas-Villalta, David Rojas-Rodríguez, Melany Villanueva-Ilama, Rossy Guillén-Watson, Francinie Murillo-Vega, Olman Gómez-Espinoza and Kattia Núñez-Montero
Biology 2024, 13(9), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090712

“Toward Understanding Research Evolution on Indirect Drivers of Ecosystem Change along the Interface of Protected and Non-Protected Lands”
by Trace Gale and Andrea Báez Montenegro
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177572

“Effects of Long-Term Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Acidification and Biological Properties in China: A Meta-Analysis”
by Liqiang Zhang, Zehang Zhao, Bailing Jiang, Bate Baoyin, Zhengguo Cui, Hongyu Wang, Qiuzhu Li and Jinhu Cui
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081683

“Systematic Distribution of Bioluminescence in Marine Animals: A Species-Level Inventory”
by Julien M. Claes, Steven H. D. Haddock, Constance Coubris and Jérôme Mallefet
Life 2024, 14(4), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040432

“Rambellisea gigliensis and Rambellisea halocynthiae, gen. et spp. nov. (Lulworthiaceae) from the Marine Tunicate Halocynthia papillosa”
by Martina Braconcini, Susanna Gorrasi, Massimiliano Fenice, Paolo Barghini and Marcella Pasqualetti
J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020127

“The Responses of Cladoceran Communities to the Single and Simultaneous Effects of Environmentally Relevant Increases in Temperature and Phosphorus Concentration in Freshwater Ecosystems”
by Małgorzata Adamczuk
Water 2024, 16(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020249

“The Lost and Found: Unraveling the Functions of Orphan Genes”
by Ali Zeeshan Fakhar, Jinbao Liu, Karolina M. Pajerowska-Mukhtar and M. Shahid Mukhtar
J. Dev. Biol.2023, 11(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb11020027

“Monitoring, Restoration and Protection in Wetland Ecosystems” Guest Editor: Dr. Md Khurshid Alam Bhuiyan Submission deadline: 20 October 2025	“Insect Adaptation in the Anthropocene: Responses to Contamination and Human-Induced Environmental Changes” Guest Editor: Dr. Philippe Laval-Gilly Submission deadline: 31 October 2025
“Plants and Habitats in Changing World: New Data for Climate Change Interpretation and Sustainable Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Giacomo Mei and Dr. Vedran Šegota Submission deadline: 10 November 2025	“Fungal Diversity in Various Environments, 4th Edition” Guest Editor: Dr. Seung-Yoon Oh Submission deadline: 30 November 2025
“Impacts of Climate Change on Terrestrial Carbon Cycling and Biodiversity Across Spatial and Temporal Scales” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Nophea Sasaki and Dr. Takuji W. Tsusaka Submission deadline: 21 December 2025	“Salmonid Fishery Management and Its Interactions with Freshwater Ecosystem Functions, Structures, and Services” Guest Editors: Dr. Gianluca Polgar and Dr. Pietro Volta Submission deadline: 31 December 2025
“Plant–Soil Interactions Under Global Change” Guest Editor: Dr. Tao Zhang Submission deadline: 31 January 2026	“Plant Species Diversity and Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Claudia D. Nicolae, Dr. Maria Mihaela Antofie and Dr. Oliviu Grigore Pop Submission deadline: 15 February 2026

We are delighted to announce a scientific publishing exchange organized by Animals (ISSN: 2076-2615) in partnership with Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Participants will explore cutting-edge strategies for navigating the peer review process, refine their manuscript preparation techniques to enhance publication impact, and engage in interactive discussions with editors.

Animals and Chulalongkorn University are proud to offer this unique platform for early-career researchers to elevate their publishing expertise. We encourage you to seize this opportunity, which could be a pivotal step in expanding your academic influence and research visibility.

Date: 26 May 2025
Time: 8.30–12.00 a.m.
Location: Demonstration Room, 1st Floor, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F5XJKPN

MDPI speakers:

World Bee Day, commemorated annually on the 20th of May, was established to raise public awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators, as well as to promote the coordinated development of sustainable agriculture and ecological protection. This year's theme is “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”. As the most critical pollinator in nature, bees directly influence global crop yields and have a profound impact on food security, biodiversity, and economic value chains. The contributions made by bees and other pollinators are closely connected to all of us. However, due to factors such as habitat destruction, the widespread use of pesticides, and climate change, global bee colonies and other pollinators are experiencing a significant decline in population. 

MDPI encourages the use of open academic exchange platforms offered by journals from Biology & Life Sciences subject such as Agriculture,  Animals, Biology, Conservation, Ecologies, Foods, Insects and Life to promote innovation and practical application in the field of pollinator protection. Research published in these journals is freely accessible to the public. We look forward to leveraging scientific knowledge to help safeguard this fragile link that sustains the Earth's life-support network. 

“Climate Change Influences on Central European Insect Fauna over the Last 50 Years: Mediterranean Influx and Non-Native Species”
by Attila Haris, Zsolt Józan, Péter Schmidt, Gábor Glemba, Bogdan Tomozii, György Csóka, Anikó Hirka, Peter Šima and Sándor Tóth
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010016 

“Comparative Study of the Effect of Pollen Substitute Diets on Honey Bees during Early Spring”
by Hyunjee Kim, Olga Frunze, Abdulkadir Yusif Maigoro, Myeong-Lyeol Lee, Jeong-Hyeon Lee
and Hyung-Wook Kwon
Insects 2024, 15(2), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020101 

“Decoding the Behavior of a Queenless Colony Using Sound Signals”
by Dimitrios Kanelis, Vasilios Liolios, Fotini Papadopoulou, Maria-Anna Rodopoulou, Dimitrios Kampelopoulos, Kostas Siozios and Chrysoula Tananaki
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111392 

“Conservation of Local Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in Southeastern Turkey: A Preliminary Study for Morphological Characterization and Determination of Colony Performance”
by Atilla Oztokmak, Gonca Ozmen Ozbakir and Oznur Çaglar
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132194 

“Survey Results of Honey Bee Colony Losses in Winter in China (2009–2021)”
by Jiao Tang, Congcong Ji, Wei Shi, Songkun Su, Yunbo Xue, Jinshan Xu, Xiao Chen, Yazhou Zhao and Chao Chen
Insects 2023, 14(6), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060554 

“Application of a Quality-Specific Environmental Risk Index for the Location of Hives in Areas with Different Pollution Impacts”
by Daniel Signorelli, Luigi Jacopo D’Auria, Antonio Di Stasio, Alfonso Gallo, Augusto Siciliano, Mauro Esposito, Alessandra De Felice  and Giuseppe Rofrano
Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050998 

“Expression Profile, Regulatory Network, and Putative Role of microRNAs in the Developmental Process of Asian Honey Bee Larval Guts”
by Xiaoxue Fan, Wende Zhang, Sijia Guo, Leran Zhu, Yiqiong Zhang, Haodong Zhao, Xuze Gao, Haibin Jiang, Tianze Zhang, Dafu Chen et al.
Insects 2023, 14(5), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050469 

“Pollen as Bee Medicine: Is Prevention Better than Cure?”
by Maryse Vanderplanck, Lucie Marin, Denis Michez and Antoine Gekière
Biology 2023, 12(4), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040497 

Special Issues:

“The Impact of Environmental Factors and Pesticides on Bee Behavior” Guest Editor: Dr. Agnieszka Murawska Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025	“Losses, Health and Wellbeing of Honey Bees Across the World” Guest Editor: Dr. Alison Gray Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025

“Pollen Production and Nutrient Composition in Two Northern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars: Implications for Pollinator Nutrition”
by Priyadarshini Chakrabarti, Lauren Baugus, Ethan Eaton, Nathalie A. Steinhauer and Ramesh R. Sagili
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050461 

“Further Insights on Honey and Propolis from Gerês (Portugal) and Their Bioactivities: Unraveling the Impact of Beehive Relocation”
by Ana Sofia Freitas, Rui Oliveira, and Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
Life 2024, 14(4), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040506

“Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Melittin Peptides Derived from Apis mellifera and Apis florea Venom”
by Pichet Praphawilai, Thida Kaewkod, Sureeporn Suriyaprom, Aussara Panya, Terd Disayathanoowat and Yingmanee Tragoolpua
Insects 2024, 15(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020109 

“Chemical and Functional Characterization of Propolis Collected from Different Areas of South Italy” 
by Aliki Kapazoglou, Maria Gerakari, Efstathia Lazaridi, Konstantina Kleftogianni, Efi Sarri, Eleni Tani and Penelope J. Bebeli
Foods 2023, 12(18), 3481; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183481 

“Exploring Consumers’ Preferences and Attitudes to Honey: Generation Approach in Slovakia”
by Peter Šedík, Martina Hudecová and Kristína Predanócyová
Foods 2023, 12(10), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12101941 

“Linking Beekeepers’ and Farmers’ Preferences towards Pollination Services in Greek Kiwi Systems”
by Elie Abou Nader, Georgios Kleftodimos, Leonidas Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Christina Kleisiari, Nicola Gallai, Salem Darwich, Tristan Berchoux, George Vlontzos and Hatem Belhouchette
Animals 2023, 13(5), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050806 

Special Issues:

MDPI is excited to collaborate with the University of Córdoba (UCO) to host an exclusive scientific publishing workshop aimed at empowering researchers with the knowledge and tools needed for successful academic publishing. This workshop will cover key aspects of MDPI’s Open Access publishing model, including journal selection, editorial workflow, and publication ethics. Participants will receive practical tips on improving scientific writing and addressing reviewer comments, guided by experienced editors.

Date: 19 June 2025
Time: 10:00–11:30
Venue: University of Córdoba (UCO)
Registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L9BRTXR

Schedule:

Chairs:

MDPI Speakers:

MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
• How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
• How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
• Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
• How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US, and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. While the official dates are set, organizations and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and raise awareness about birds throughout the year by organizing relevant events and activities.

In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Animals, Biology, Birds, Conservation, Ecologies, and Wild, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding making our environment safe and welcoming for birds.

“Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico”
by Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa, José M. Méndez-Tun, Khiavett Sánchez-Pinzón, Pedro Bautista-Ramírez, Lizardo Cruz-Romo and Sandra Petrone
Wild 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2010003

“Trends in the Application of Citizen Science in Waterbird Conservation: A Bibliometric Analysis”
by Ruilin Wang and Keming Ma
Animals 2025, 15(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030368

“Mitigating Acute Climate Change Threats to Reintroduced Migratory Northern Bald Ibises”
by Johannes Fritz, Markus Unsoeld, Bernhard Goenner, Regina Kramer, Lisbet Siebert-Lang and Helena Wehner
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 748-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040044

“Quantifying the Ecological Performance of Migratory Bird Conservation: Evidence from Poyang Lake Wetlands in China”
by Zhenjiang Song, Shichao Gao, Mingni Leng, Bo Zhou and Baoshu Wu
Biology 2024, 13(10), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100786

“Comparing Energetics and Physiological Trait Patterns of North American Birds to Support Ecological Risk Assessment”
by Erik B. Muller, Carlo Romoli, Benoit Goussen, Jonathan D. Maul, Richard Brain and Nika Galic
Ecologies 2024, 5(3), 354-367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5030022

“Use of Stable Isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to Infer Post-Breeding Dispersal Strategies in Iberian Populations of the Kentish Plover”
by Andrea Gestoso, María Vidal and Jesús Domínguez
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081208

“Simulation Modeling Unveils the Unalike Effects of Alternative Strategies for Waterbird Conservation in the Coastal Wetlands of Sardinia (Italy)”
by Alessandro Ferrarini, Marco Gustin and Claudio Celada
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111440

“Stopover Ecology of the European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), a Threatened Migratory Bird Species, after the Crossing of an Extended Ecological Barrier”
by Christos Barboutis, Anastasios Bounas, Elisabeth Navarrete and Thord Fransson
Birds 2023, 4(2), 202-212; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds4020017

“Using Pop-GUIDE to Assess the Applicability of MCnest for Relative Risk of Pesticides to Hummingbirds”
by Matthew A. Etterson, Elizabeth A. Paulukonis and S. Thomas Purucker
Ecologies 2023, 4(1), 171-194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4010013

“Blood Metabolites and Profiling Stored Adipose Tissue Reveal the Differential Migratory Strategies of Eurasian Reed and Sedge Warblers”
by Pedro M. Araújo, Ivan Viegas, Luis P. Da Silva, Pedro B. Lopes, Ludgero C. Tavares and Jaime A. Ramos
Birds 2022, 3(4), 359-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds3040024

“Unveiling the Breeding Biology and Life History Evolution in Birds” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Shaobin Li, Dr. Changcao Wang and Dr. Weibin Guo Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Ecological Models for Bird and Wildlife Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Annalisa Viani, Dr. Tommaso Orusa and Dr. Samuele De Petris Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2025. This program was designed to recognize and honor scholars who have consistently delivered exceptional review reports to our journal. Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, the journal Animals (ISSN: 2076-2615) recognizes our reviewers' significant role in maintaining the quality and integrity of our published articles. According to surveys conducted in 2024, 95.3% of our authors rate the peer review as good or excellent thanks to our pool of excellent reviewers.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in the peer-review process of Animals. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering valuable feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are truly commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was introduced in April 2024. Each quarter, we will be selecting a group of outstanding reviewers and introduce them here.

Q1:
Name: Dr. Jaco Bakker
Affiliation: Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ Rijswijk, the Netherlands
Interests: non-human primates; macaques; common marmoset

Name: Dr. Anna Czech
Affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland
Interests: poultry nutrition; pig nutrition; veterinary; agricultural and biological sciences; environmental science; biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology; chemistry

Name: Dr. Antonio Molina
Affiliation: Universidad de Córdoba, Spain
Interests: animal genetics 

Name: Dr. Richard Murray
Affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Interests: cattle; perinatal mortality ruminants; reproduction pathophysiology ruminants

Name: Dr. Bruce S. Seal
Affiliation: Oregon State University-Cascades, USA
Interests: microbial derived products; antimicrobial; probiotics; evolutionary biology

Conference: The 9th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality
Date: 9–11 May 2025
Location: Beijing, China

MDPI will be attending the 9th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality, which will be held from 9 to 11 May 2025 in Beijing, China.

The International Symposium on “Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality” has been held continuously, with eight sessions over 15 years since its first event in 2009. Renowned international experts from 13 developed dairy countries including the United States, the Netherlands, and New Zealand have delivered over 200 keynote speeches at the conference, with more than 4,000 people attending on-site. It has become an important scientific platform for understanding the latest progress in international dairy science and technology, strengthening domestic and foreign dairy exchanges, and promoting cooperation in dairy science and technology between China and foreign countries. The purpose of this symposium is to exchange the latest progress in domestic and international dairy science theories and technologies and jointly discuss strategies for the high-quality development of the global dairy industry, with the aim of developing new high-quality technology for productivity and promoting the stable and healthy development of the dairy industry, which is of vital importance.

The conference topics cover:

• Progress in key efficient and high-quality technologies for the entire dairy industry chain;
• Progress in milk quality and safety;
• Research progress on the nutritional quality of special livestock milk.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Animals;
• Agriculture;
• Beverages;
• Foods;
• Ruminants.

If you are planning to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: http://www.dairymeeting.com/cn2025/default.htm.