
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- Animals Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topical Advisory Panel
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Topics
- Sections & Collections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor’s Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Conferences
- Editorial Office
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserNeed Help?
Announcements
21 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI Scientific Publishing Exchange at Chulalongkorn University, 26 May 2025, Bangkok, Thailand

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
Speaker |
Program |
Time |
Prof. Dr. Nopadon Pirarat (Chair) |
Opening Speech |
8.30–8:40 a.m. |
Dr. Juthathip Poofery |
MDPI and Animals Journal Introduction |
8:40–9:00 a.m. |
Dr. Krit Inthajak |
How to Write Scientific Papers
|
9:00–9:30 a.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
9:30–9:40 a.m. |
Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana |
How to Respond to Peer Reviewers and Reasons for Rejection during Pre-Check |
9:40–10:10 a.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:10–10:20 a.m. |
Mr. Suvicha Sasivimolkul |
Understanding Data Visualization in Academic Papers
|
10:20–10:40 a.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:40–10:50 a.m. |
Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon |
Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Publishing
|
10:50–11:10 a.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
11:10–11:20 a.m. |
Mr. Aleksandar Djukic |
Animal Ethics and Research Integrity
|
11:20–11:50 a.m.
|
|
Q&A Session |
11:50–12:00 a.m. |
Chair: |
Biography |
Prof. Dr. Nopadon Pirarat Director, VST and WEAP-CE of Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University |
Prof. Dr. Nopadon Pirarat is a faculty member at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, where he serves as the Director of the VST International Graduate Program and the Director of WEAP-CE. He holds a D.V.M. from Chulalongkorn University and a Ph.D. in aquatic bioscience, and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. His research focuses on fish immunopathology, veterinary pathology, and nanotechnology in aquaculture health. Notably, he has developed nanovaccines utilizing chitosan polymers and lipid carriers to enhance disease resistance in fish, with a particular emphasis on mucoadhesive nanovaccines for improving immunity against Aeromonas veronii and Flavobacterium oreochromis. Additionally, Dr. Pirarat has explored the use of nanostructured lipid carriers to improve the delivery of herbal extracts, such as clove oil, in both aquaculture and veterinary treatments. Dr. Pirarat is also actively involved in international collaborations, including the BactiVac network, which aims to advance vaccine development and immunology research in veterinary science. His education, research contributions, and global collaborations demonstrate his commitment to advancing veterinary science and improving aquaculture health. |
Dr. Manoj Tukaram Kamble Center of Excellence in Wildlife, Exotic, and Aquatic Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University |
Dr. Manoj Tukaram Kamble is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center of Excellence in Wildlife, Exotic, and Aquatic Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He holds a Ph.D. in aquaculture and aquatic resources management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. His research focuses on the applications of nanotechnology in aquaculture, sustainable aquaculture nutrition, fish health management, and aquatic animal welfare. Dr. Kamble has made notable contributions to the development of nanostructured lipid carriers for delivering phytobiotics, nanoherbal treatments, and disease control strategies in aquaculture. He serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society and Guest Editor for Animals (MDPI). Dr. Kamble has received several international awards for his research and has co-edited books on sustainable aquaculture practices. His work integrates advanced technologies to enhance fish health, nutrition, and sustainability in aquaculture systems. |
MDPI speakers:
Dr. Juthathip Poofery |
Dr. Juthathip Poofery holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. She began working at MDPI in 2021 as an Assistant Editor for Medicina and advanced to the position of Section Managing Editor in 2022. Since 2023, Dr. Poofery has been serving as the Group Leader of the “Medical Science” Section, where she oversees editorial operations and contributes to the advancement of research in the field. |
Dr. Krit Inthajak
|
Dr. Krit Inthajak obtained his Ph.D. in engineering and technology from Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Thailand. He joined MDPI in March 2020 as an Assistant Editor for Molecules. He was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in 2021 and worked as a Group Leader from 2021 to 2024. He is now one of MDPI's Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region. |
Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana |
Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana obtained her master’s degree in food science and biotechnology from Teesside University, UK. She joined MDPI in December 2020 as an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Imaging. She was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in March 2023 and a Regional Journal Relations Specialist for the Asia–Pacific region in July 2024. |
Mr. Suvicha Sasivimolkul |
Mr. Suvicha Sasivimolkul earned his master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Rangsit University, Thailand, in 2021. That same year, he joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the journal Crystals. In 2022, he advanced to the role of Section Managing Editor and Training Assistant. In 2023, he became Co-Training Group Leader. He currently serves as the Training Group Leader for MDPI’s Asian offices. |
Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon |
Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon obtained her master’s degree in chemistry from Thammasat University, Thailand, in 2020 and joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the journal Crystals in the same year. She became a Section Managing Editor in 2021 and a Group Leader in 2022. She is currently one of MDPI's Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region. |
Mr. Aleksandar Djukic |
Mr. Aleksandar Djukic obtained his master’s degree in food zoology from Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. He joined MDPI in November 2020 as an Assistant Editor for the journal Animals. He was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in March 2022 and a Journal Relations Specialist for Animals and Ruminants in March 2023. In February 2024, he joined the Research Integrity team, where he currently serves as a Research Integrity Manager. |
20 May 2025
World Bee Day 2025—“Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All”, 20 May 2025

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” |
“Losses, Health and Wellbeing of Honey Bees Across the World” |
![]() |
“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:
“Recent Advances and Opportunities of Honey & Bee Products” |
“Application of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Precision Beekeeping” |
16 May 2025
MDPI Scientific Publishing Exchange at the University of Córdoba (UCO), 19 June 2025
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:
Speakers | Program and Content | Schedule |
Ms. Paula Navarro | Introduction to Open Access, Animals and Veterinary Science | 10:00–10:20 |
Ms. Paula Navarro | Peer-Review Editorial Process | 10:20–10:40 |
Mr. Iñigo Aristizábal | Tips on Scientific Writing | 10:40–11:00 |
Mr. Iñigo Aristizábal | Research Integrity | 11:00–11:20 |
Q&A Session | 11:20 |
Chairs:
Dr. Francisco Javier Mendoza
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Campus Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Pérez-Écija
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba
MDPI Speakers:
Ms. Paula Navarro is a biotechnologist with more than 6 years of experience in the scientific publishing industry. She joined MDPI in January 2018 and, after having held several roles (including Assistant Editor, Section Managing Editor, and Group Leader), she currently works as a Journal Relations Specialist for five journals: Genes, Antibodies, Dietetics, Epigenomes, and JMAHP. In recent years, she has organized and attended numerous online and in-person meetings with scholars. She has attended several international conferences as the MDPI conference representative.
Mr. Iñigo Aristizabal is a biochemist with strong expertise in the academic publishing industry. He joined the MDPI office in Barcelona as an Assistant Editor in November 2017 and has worked as a Section Managing Editor and later as a Journal Relations Specialist, mainly for Genes, Cardiogenetics, DNA and J—Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, helping these journals with scholarly meetings and booth attendance at both virtual and in-person conferences.
13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025

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:
Speakers |
Program and Content |
Time |
Dr. Stephen Mora |
Introduction to MDPI |
12:00–12:05 p.m. |
|
How to Write and Structure a Research Article |
12:05–12:45 p.m. |
|
How to Respond to Reviewer Comments |
12:45–1:30 p.m. |
8 May 2025
World Migratory Bird Day—“Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities”, 10 May 2025

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 |
![]() |
![]() |
8 May 2025
Animals Exceptional Reviewers List 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
5 May 2025
Meet Us at the 9th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality, 9–11 May 2025, Beijing, China

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:
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.
5 May 2025
Animals | Interview with the Author—Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney

We recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney about her paper “Ethical and Practical Considerations Associated with Companion Animal Euthanasia”, which was published in 2023.
The following is an interview with Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney written by Taheer Ali (Content Assistant):
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your current research?
I became a veterinarian in 2004 in the state of Colorado and since 2006 have focused on end-of-life care for companion animals. I have provided euthanasia and palliative care services for over 10 years. In 2017, to help veterinary professionals better understand the complexity of euthanasia, I founded the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), of which I am the Senior Director of Medical Education. I am also the author of several books, book chapters, and research papers. Since 2020, I have taught at Colorado State University as part of the Affiliate Faculty and in 2024, I received board certification for animal welfare via the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW).
2. What do you think we can learn from your paper?
Euthanasia is a complicated topic which can be conflicting and unpleasant, and this paper provides people with the opportunity to learn more about it. As veterinary professionals, we often feel a lot of pressure when trying to navigate the conflicting obligations and responsibilities we have towards both animals and their owners.
3. What do you think made the academic community respond so well to your paper?
Researchers and academics from a wide variety of backgrounds gravitate towards papers like this because it addresses head-on the complexity of animal euthanasia. I don’t believe it has gotten any easier. Even after 18 years and many paths developed to provide better end-of-life care, I still find myself having the same conversations with my clients. There are moral pressures and stresses and an ever-present empathetic strain which must be navigated. One way it is navigated is through discussion and the sharing of our experiences. At our academy (CAETA), we offer veterinarian students and technicians in shelter medicine over 50 hours of content that explore a lot of these areas.
My hope for the future is that there is more education on veterinary euthanasia. I also see the space for a new field within end-of-life veterinary—veterinary thanatology. Thanatology as an area of study already exists for humans, and I believe the same should exist for animals. A better understanding of animal death can improve and provide a better understanding of animal welfare. A good life should be followed by a good death. Euthanasia should be considered carefully to maintain animal welfare. Animals should be kept in as positive a state as possible, free of pain, as well as anxiety and fear, all the way up to their final moments of consciousness. Much research has already been conducted on euthanasia and slaughter to maintain that safe experience.
4. What other resources would you recommend for veterinary professionals?
I would recommend the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which offers robust, highly referenced guidelines, including those for animal slaughter and euthanasia. These guidelines are scientifically proven, reliable, and regularly adjusted in accordance with the latest research. I would also recommend the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), which offer documents curated by experts in the field. It is important that veterinarians are kept up to date with the newest research. Animal welfare can be at risk if practitioners are untrained in a broad range of methodology. They should be able to move seamlessly from plan A to plan B to plan C.
5. What advice could you provide to those who may struggle in this area of veterinary medicine?
To those who may struggle making decisions regarding euthanasia, you are not alone and what you are feeling is normal. Looking further into the topic may help broaden your professional and personal skills and make the procedure easier to handle. There are veterinarians who have devoted their entire careers to this field and who find great fulfillment when they have been able to approach and perform it successfully. They are also able to provide the service as often and frequently as required. Essentially, the most important thing is education. It brings out a certain confidence so that one is gravitating towards rather than away from appointments. There are many resources out there for learning more about veterinary euthanasia. To love helping owners navigate this tough decision is to love animals. Euthanasia itself should not be considered a failure, but a difficult decision made in an animal’s best interest.
7. Why did you choose to publish with MDPI Animals?
I had chosen to publish in MDPI Animals as it is an open access journal that allows for reaching a larger audience, which a veterinary-specific journal could not promise. A wider reach allows for a wider impact. Publication with MDPI is also a quick and easy process, and good reviewers are selected.
8. Who do you want to reach with your message?
I want my message to reach veterinarians, especially those who are just graduating, as they tend to not know how to perform euthanasia well or have the professional skills necessary to navigate its complexities. Most vets will build on these skills in their first year after school, which often results in a steep learning curve. Established veterinarians alike also need more education around euthanasia and animal welfare. Only five years ago was I myself truly awoken to it. Furthermore, I want my message to reach professionals in other animal industries—ethical and compassionate people seeking to improve their skills in the area. We all do our best with what we know today, but things are constantly developing in animal welfare. We need to be as current as we can. I am very proud of professionals who seek modern euthanasia and those who believe a better death is better welfare.
9. What does the future look like for animal euthanasia and animal welfare?
There are several growing areas in the field of animal euthanasia and welfare, including the specific techniques used to perform euthanasia. As the use of technology in medicine grows, in the next 10 years, we can expect the introduction of newer, more technical procedures. The discussion of ethics will further remain an area of exploration, as it is still difficult to overcome certain challenges. To euthanize or to not euthanize and who should take part in that decision, for example, is always a key question. Another growing area is the discussion of client and patient needs. How can we communicate the techniques for euthanasia effectively and how can we support those who are grieving? This contributes to a developing field of veterinary social work which is focusing on providing communication needs for clients.
We should also see policies being guided only by modern research. When we know better, we should do better. Society should further understand the reasons for euthanasia and trust veterinarians in their decisions regarding it. In our paper, we discuss various types of euthanasia and carefully address the issue of suffering and the importance of intent. The consequences and pressures that come with veterinary euthanasia are also explored. It is important that veterinarians can perform euthanasia well and are comfortable in doing so. If it cannot be performed well, it should be avoided.
10. What would you like the public to know regarding animal euthanasia and welfare?
For anyone that was not aware of what animal euthanasia and animal welfare entailed, I would like to firstly inform them of some of the norms and realities of professional animal caregivers and their day-to-day ongoings. I would then discuss the harsh reality that animals die and that unfortunately, the resources available upon an animal death are less abundant than that of a human. I would tell them that euthanasia can become a way to release an animal from its body before things become more difficult. When we know an animal is dying, those who are trained in performing euthanasia can perform it in the best way they know how. When an animal is not dying but does not have the necessary means to continue living a substantial life, it is in the best interest of the animal that the procedure of euthanasia is considered. For anyone that is a pet owner, I say to them to always be curious and to keep asking questions.
2 May 2025
World Tuna Day, 2 May 2025

World Tuna Day, observed on May 2, serves as a global call to raise awareness about the pressing challenges facing tuna populations and to emphasize the need for sustainable fishing practices. Tuna and tuna-like species are vital to the global economy and food supply, contributing significantly to food security, economic growth, and the livelihoods of communities around the world. However, the growing market demand has placed immense pressure on tuna stocks. Alarming data show that 33.3% of the seven main tuna species are now fished at biologically unsustainable levels, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts and international cooperation.
In recognition of World Tuna Day 2025, we encourage you to explore current research and expert discussions featured in MDPI journals such as Animals, Fishes, Foods, and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE). Through open access publishing and interdisciplinary collaboration, MDPI is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that support the sustainable management of tuna and promote the long-term health of our oceans.


“Correlation Between Sensory Characteristics and Physicochemical Properties of Wild and Farmed Frozen Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
by Hiroki Kashikura, Masafumi Yagi, Yusa Nakamura, Akira Sakai, Kigen Takahashi, Seiichi Hiratsuka and Keiichi Goto
Fishes 2024, 9(12), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9120473
“The Impact of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Stress on Serum Biochemical Indicators and Spleen Gene Expression in Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Yongyue Sun, Zhengyi Fu and Zhenhua Ma
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213090
“Optimization of the Preparation Process and Ameliorative Efficacy in Osteoporotic Rats of Peptide–Calcium Chelates from Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Meat”
by Wan-Zhen Yan, Jiao Wang, Yu-Mei Wang, Yu-Hui Zeng, Chang-Feng Chi and Bin Wang
Foods 2024, 13(17), 2778; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13172778
“Exploring the Blood Glucose-Lowering Potential of the Umami Peptides LADW and EEAEGT Derived from Tuna Skeletal Myosin: Perspectives from α-Glucosidase Inhibition and Starch Interaction”
by Shuai Zhao, Shengbao Cai, Lixin Ding, Junjie Yi, Linyan Zhou, Zhijia Liu and Chuanqi Chu
Foods 2024, 13(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13020294
“Mechanisms of Digestive Enzyme Response to Acute Salinity Stress in Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Ninglu Zhang, Rui Yang, Zhengyi Fu, Gang Yu and Zhenhua Ma
Animals 2023, 13(22), 3454; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223454
“Projected Changes in Spawning Ground Distribution of Mature Albacore Tuna in the Indian Ocean under Various Global Climate Change Scenarios”
by Sandipan Mondal, Aratrika Ray, Ming-An Lee and Malagat Boas
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(8), 1565; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11081565
“Effects of Climate Variability on Two Commercial Tuna Species Abundance in the Indian Ocean”
by Yang Wang, Fan Zhang, Zhe Geng, Yuying Zhang, Jiangfeng Zhu and Xiaojie Dai
Fishes 2023, 8(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8020099
“Impact of Salinity Changes on the Antioxidation of Juvenile Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)”
by Shengjie Zhou, Ninglu Zhang, Zhengyi Fu, Gang Yu, Zhenhua Ma and Lei Zhao
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010132

“New Conservation Strategies for Freshwater and Marine Fishes: Habitat Is the Key” |
“Impact of Climate Change on the Safety of Fish Products: New or Re-Emerging Risks’’ |
“Marine Fishing Gear and Aquacultural Engineering” |
“Adaptation to Global Change in Fisheries Resources and Associated Marine Ecosystems” |
30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science
Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.
Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.
Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.
A closer look at the achievement
Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals.
For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.
Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.
“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing
“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead
Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/
Looking to the future
This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.
Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.
Impactful Research
Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe.
The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.
Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI
MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.
These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.
Our IOAP Team
A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.
These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.
What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?
For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.
For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.
Inside MDPI
MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment
Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.
Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html
Why is this important?
As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”
Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.
At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.
About the authors
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.
Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.
Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.
Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.
Coming Together for Science
Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security
Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.
It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.
The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.
The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.
From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!
Awards
Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).
Plants 2025 Conference Team
The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).
Upcoming event
5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)
As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.
Find more upcoming MDPI events here.
Closing Thoughts
Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.
Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.
MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden
“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.
“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”
Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:
- The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
- Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
- In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG