applsci-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Announcements

1 October 2025
2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers


We are honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

Abbas Yazdinejad

Hany H. Arab

Oscar De Lucio

Abdessamad Belhaj

Hao Zang

Otilia Manta

Abdolreza Jamilian

Hatem Amin

Panagiotis D. Michailidis

Abdul Waheed

Henry Alba

Panagiotis Simitzis

Abiel Aguilar-González

Hiroyuki Noda

Paola Prete

Adina Santana

Hitoshi Tanaka

Paolo Trucillo

Aditya Velidandi

Horst Lenske

Patricia Kara De Maeijer

Adrian Stancu

Hossein Azadi

Patrícia Pires

Adriana Borodzhieva

Houlin Yu

Paulo Schwingel

Adriana Cristina Urcan

Huaifu Deng

Pavel Loskot

Adriano Bressane

Huamin Jie

Pedro García-Ramírez

Agbotiname Imoize

Hugo Lisboa

Pedro Pablo Zamora

Agustin L. Herrera-May

Igor L. Zakharov

Pedro Pereira

Ahmed Arafa

Igor Litvinchev

Pei-Hsun Wang

Ahmet Cagdas Seckin

Igor Vujović

Pellegrino La Manna

Ailton Cesar Lemes

Ildiko Horvath

Petar Ozretić

Akash Kumar

Ilya A. Khodov

Petko Petkov

Akihiko Murayama

Ilya Zavidovskiy

Petr Komínek

Alain E. Le Faou

Imran Ali Lakhiar

Petras Prakas

Alain Massart

Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso

Petro Pukach

Alejandro Plascencia

Ioan Hutu

Petru Alexandru Vlaicu

Aleksandar Ašonja

Ioan Petean

Phil Chilibeck

Aleksandra Głowacka

Irena M. Ilic

Pia Lopez-Jornet

Aleksandra Nesić

Isaac Lifshitz

Pietro Geri

Alessio Ardizzone

Ismael Cristofer Baierle

Pingfan Hu

Alessio Faccia

I-Ta Lee

Piotr Cyklis

Alexander E. Berezin

Itzhak Aviv

Piotr Gauden

Alexander Lykov

Iustinian Bejan

Piotr Gawda

Alexander Robitzsch

Ivan Matveev

Pradeep Kumar Panda

Alexandre Landry

Ivan Pavlenko

Pradeep Varadwaj

Alexey Chubarov

Ivana Mitrović

Presentación Caballero

Alexey Morgounov

Iyyakkannu Sivanesan

Pu Xie

Alexis Rodríguez

Jacek Abramczyk

Qingchao Li

Alfredo Silveira De Borba

Jacques Cabaret

Qinghua Qiu

Ali Hashemizdeh

Jaime A. Mella-Raipán

Qingwei Chen

Alison De Oliveira Moraes

Jaime Taha-Tijerina

Radoslaw Jasinski

Aliyu Aliyu

James Chun Lam Chow

Radu Racovita

Alok Dhaundiyal

James Chung-Wai Cheung

Rafael Galvão De Almeida

Álvaro Antón-Sancho

James O. Finckenauer

Rafael Melo

Amit Ranjan

Jan Cieśliński

Rafal Kukawka

Amritlal Mandal

Ján Moravec

Rafał Watrowski

Ana Isabel Roca-Fernández

Jarbas Miguel

Raffaele Pellegrino

Ana Tomić

Jaroslav Dvorak

Rajender Boddula

Anas Alsobeh

Jarosław Przybył

Ralf Hofmann

Anastasios Karayiannakis

Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić

Ran Wang

Andre Luiz Costa

Jasmina Lukinac

Ranko S. Romanić

Andrea Bianconi

Jawad Tanveer

Ratna Kishore Velamati

Andrea Sonaglioni

Jean Carlos Bettoni

Rebecca Creamer

Andrea Tomassi

Jennie Golding

Reggie Surya

Andrés Fernando Barajas Solano

Jerzy Chudek

Rehan Siddiqui

Andrés Novoa

Jhih-Rong Liao

Renato Maaliw

Andreu Comas-Garcia

Jiachen Li

Reuven Yosef

Andrew Lane

Jianzhu Liu

Ricardo García-León

Andrew Lothian

Jiaquan Yu

Richard Murray

Andrew Sortwell

Jibing Chen

Robert Boyd

Andrius Katkevičius

Jie Gao

Robert H. Eibl

Andromachi Nanou

Jie Hua

Robert James Crammond

Andrzej Kielian

Jill Channing

Robert Oleniacz

Andrzej Kozłowski

Jinfeng Li

Roberto Passera

Andrzej Zolnowski

Jinle Xiang

Rodolpho Fernando Vaz

Ángel Josabad Alonso-Castro

Jinliu Chen

Rodrigo Galo

Ángel Llamas

Jinyao Lin

Roger E. Thomas

Angelo Ferlazzo

Jinyu Hu

Roger W. Bachmann

Angelo Marcelo Tusset

Jiří Remr

Rogério Leone Buchaim

Anil K. Meher

Jiying Liu

Roman Trach

Animesh Kumar Basak

João Everthon Da Silva Ribeiro

Roman Trochimczuk

Anita Silvana Ilak Peršurić

Joao Pessoa

Romil Parikh

Anna Kharkova

Joaquim Carreras

Romina Fucà

Anna Lenart-Boroń

John Adams Sebastian

Ronald Nelson

Anna Piotrowska

John Van Boxel

Rosie Yagmur Yegin

Anne Anderson

Jonathan Puente-Rivera

Roxana Lucaciu

Antiopi-Malvina Stamatellou

Jordi-Roger Riba

Rui Sales Júnior

Antonia Kondou

Jorge De Andres-Sanchez

Rui Vitorino

Antonio Miguel Ruiz Armenteros

Jorge Guillermo Diaz Rodriguez

Ruo Wang

Anusorn Cherdthong

Jorge Luis Zambrano-Martinez

Ryoma Michishita

Aram Cornaggia

José F. Fontanari

Sabina Necula

Ariana Saraiva

José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna

Sabina Umirzakova

Ariel Soares Teles

José Francisco Segura Plaza

Said EL-Ashker

Aristeidis Karras

José Luis Díaz

Saïf Ed-Dı̂n Fertahi

Arnaud Dragicevic

José Luis Rivera-Armenta

Salvatore Romano

Artem Obukhov

Jose M. Miranda

Sándor Beszédes

Arvind Kumar Shukla

Jose M. Mulet

Santiago Lain

Arvind Negi

Jose Navarro-Pedreño

Sara Black Brown

Athanasios A. Panagiotopoulos

José Pedro Cerdeira

Sarat Chandra Mohapatra

Augustine Edegbene

Jouni Räisänen

Sarunas Grigaliunas

Aunchalee Aussanasuwannakul

Jui-Yang Lai

Saša Milojević

Aurel Maxim

Juliana Fernandes

Sawsan A. Zaitone

Barbara Symanowicz

Julio Plaza Díaz

Scott E. Hendrix

Bartosz Płachno

Juliusz Huber

Seong-Gon Kim

Bela Kocsis

Jun Liu

Sergii Babichev

Benedetto Schiavo

Junyu Chen

Sergio Da Silva

Bernhard Koelmel

Karan Nayak

Sérgio Felipe

Bhupendra Prajapati

Karel Allegaert

Sergio Guzmán-Pino

Bierng-Chearl Ahn

Katarina Aškerc Zadravec

Seyed Kourosh Mahjour

Bo Zhou

Katarzyna Kubiak-Wójcicka

Seyed Masoud Parsa

Bohong Zhang

Katarzyna Peta

Shedrach Benjamin Pewan

Bonface Ombasa Manono

Katarzyna Tandecka

Shehwaz Anwar

Bozhidar Stefanov

Katherine Bussey

Shengwen Tang

Brach Poston

Katsuya Ichinose

Shih-Lin Lin

Byeong Yong Kong

Kazuharu Bamba

Shilong Li

Caio Sampaio

Kazuhiko Kotani

Shing-Hwa Liu

Caius Panoiu

Kazuhiko Nakadate

Shu Yuan

Caiyun Wang

Keigi Fujiwara

Shuohong Wang

Calin Mircea Gherman

Keith Rochfort

Shuolin Xiao

Camelia Delcea

Kenneth Waters

Shuping Wu

Cardellicchio Angelo

Keren Dopelt

Sihui Dong

Carlos Alberto Ligarda Samanez

Kira E. Vostrikova

Sławomir Rabczak

Carlos Almeida

Kit Leong Cheong

Sojung Kim

Carlos Balsas

Konstantinos Vergos

Songli Zhu

Carlos López-de-Celis

Koyeli Girigoswami

Soonhee Hwang

Carlos Marcuello

Krzysztof R. Karsznia

Soo-Whang Baek

Carlos Pascual-Morena

Krzysztof Szwajka

Soufiane Haddout

Carlos Torres-Torres

Krzysztof Wołk

Sousana Papadopoulou

Casey Watters

Kumar Ganesan

Spiros Paramithiotis

Castillo Castillo

Lan Lin

Spyridon Kaltsas

Changmin Shi

László Radócz

Srecko Stopic

Chao Chen

Laurent Donzé

Srinivasan Sathiyaraj

Chao Gu

Lei He

Stefano Mancin

Chao Zhang (China)

Lei Huang

Subhadeep Das

Chao Zhang (Singapore)

Leonard-Ionut Atanase

Sumedha Nitin Prabhu

Chellapandian Maheswaran

Leonardo Henrique Dalcheco Messias

Sushant K. Rawal

Cheonshik Kim

Leonie Brummer

Svetoslav Todorov

Chia Hung Kao

Levon Gevorkov

Szymon Janczar

Chiachung Chen

Li Fu

Tadeusz Kowalski

Chiara Cinquini

Lidija Hauptman

Tadeusz Sierotowicz

Chieh-Chih Tsai

Lin-Fu Liang

Taha Koray Sahin

Christian Rojas

Ling Yang

Tahir Cetin Akinci

Chu Zhang

Lingli Deng

Takuo Sakon

Chuanyu Sun

Ljubica Kazi

Tamara Lazarević-Pašti

Chun-Wei Yang

Lotfi Boudjema

Tao Zhang

Claudia Bita-Nicolae

Louis Moustakas

Taras P. Pasternak

Constant Mews

Luca Ulrich

Tarek Eldomiaty

Cristian Vacacela Gomez

Luis Adrian De Jesús-González

Taro Urase

Cristiano Matos

Luis Alfonso Díaz-Secades

Tenzer Robert

Cristian-Valeriu Stanciu

Luis Filipe Almeida Bernardo

Thawatchai Phaechamud

Cristóbal Macías Villalobos

Luis Nestor Apaza Ticona

Thomas Michael

Dalia Calneryte

Luis Puente-Díaz

Tiberiu Harko

Daniel Hernandez-Patlan

Luiz Antonio Alcântara Pereira

Timea Claudia Ghitea

Daniele Ritelli

Łukasz Rakoczy

Timothy John Mahony

Daniel-Ioan Curiac

Łukasz Szeleszczuk

Timothy Omara

Daniil Olennikov

Maciej Kruszyna

Tomasz Hikawczuk

Daodao Hu

Magdalena Jaciow

Tomasz M. Karpiński

Daqin Guan

Maha Nasr

Tomasz Trzepiecinski

Daria Chudakova

Maharshi Bhaswant

Triantafyllos Didangelos

Daria Mottareale-Calvanese

Maksim Zavalishin

Tsvetelin Zaevski

Dariusz Dziki

Małgorzata Jeleń

Ulrich J. Pont

Dariusz Gozdowski

Man Fai Leung

Vadim Kramar

David Kieda

Manickam Minakshi

Vagner Lunge

David Luviano-Cruz

Manickam Minakshi

Valério Monteiro-Neto

Da-Zhi Sun

Marcel Sari

Van Giap Do

Debra Wetcher-Hendricks

Marcello Iasiello

Van-An Duong

Demin Cai

Marco Limongiello

Vanni Nicoletti

Dennis Dieks

Marco Zucca

Vasilios Liordos

Deokho Lee

Marconi Batista Teixeira

Vedran Mrzljak

Deyu Li

Marcos Vinícius Da Silva

Vicente Romo Pérez

Diego Romano Perinelli

Marek Cała

Victor-Alexandru Briciu

Dimitris Tatsis

Maria G. Ioannides

Viktor V. Brygadyrenko

Dirceu Ramos

Maria João Lima

Vinícius Silva Belo

Dmitrii Pankin

Maria Kantzanou

Violeta Popovici

Dmitriy Yambulatov

Maria Leonor Abrantes Pires

Viorel Dragos Radu

Dmitry Kultin

Mariana Buranelo Egea

Viswas Raja Solomon

Dongwei Di

Mariana Magalhães

Viviani Oliveira

Dorota Formanowicz

Marija Strojnik

Vlad Rotaru

Dragan Marinkovic

Marijn Speeckaert

Vladica Stojanović

Drazenko Glavic

Marina G. Holyavka

Volodymyr Hrytsyk

Duguleana Mihai

Marina Gravit

Volodymyr Ponomaryov

Dušan S. Dimić

Mario Cerezo Pizarro

Waldemar Studziński

E Terasa Chen

Mario Ganau

Wanming Lin

Edoardo Bucchignani

Mariusz Ptak

Waseem Jerjes

Eduard Zadobrischi

Marlen Vitales-Noyola

Wei-Chieh Lee

Edwin Villagran

Marta Forte

Weiming Fang

Eitan Simon

Martha Rocío Moreno-Jimenez

Weiren Luo

Elena Chitoran

Marwan El Ghoch

Weiwei Jiang

Elena Marrocchino

Marzena Włodarczyk-Stasiak

Wenan Yuan

Elisabeta Negrău

Massimiliano Schiavo

Wenguang Yang

Elisavet Bouloumpasi

Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali

Wenluan Zhang

Elochukwu Ukwandu

Mateusz Rozmiarek

Wiesław Przygoda

Emil Smyk

Matt Smith

Wilian Paul Arévalo Cordero

Emilio Bucio

Matteo Riccò

Wilian Pech-Rodríguez

Emmanouil Karampinis

Matthias Müller

Wislei R. Osório

Ericsson D. Coy-Barrera

Mauro Lombardo

Wi-Young So

Eugeniusz Koda

Md. Ataur Rahman

Wojciech Sałabun

Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka

Md. Biddut Hossain

Wojciech Zabierowski

Ewa Tomaszewska

Meisam Abdollahi

Xiaofei Du

Ezhaveni Sathiyamoorthi

Meng-Hwan Lee

Xiaolong Ji

Fabio Corti

Meng-Yao Li

Xiaomin Xu

Fahmi Zairi

Meysam Keshavarz

Xiaoshuang Ma

Fanzhi Kong

Michael Eisenhut

Xiaoying Liu

Fasih Ullah Haider

Michael Gerlich

Xiao-Yong Wang

Fayez Tarsha-Kurdi

Mihaela Brindusa Tudose

Xinming Zhang

Fekete Mónika

Mihaela Niculae

Xinqiao Liu

Felipe Jiménez

Mihaela Tinca Udristioiu

Xinqing Xiao

Feng Wen

Mihaela Toderaş

Xuechen Zheng

Ferdinando Di Martino

Mihai Crenganis

Xueming Zhang

Fernanda Tonelli

Mika Simonen

Xuezhen Wang

Fernando Lessa Tofoli

Milan Toma

Xuguang Cai

Fernando Viadero-Monasterio

Miloš Lichner

Yair Wiseman

Fethi Ouallouche

Milos Seda

Yang Xu

Flavio Arroyo

MIloš Zrnić

Yangwon Lee

Flor H. Pujol

Min Xia

Yanhong Peng

Florin Dumitru Bora

Mina Tadros

Yao Ni

Florin Nechita

Mingren Shen

Yaoxiang Li

Francesco Di Bello

Mircea Neagoe

Yasushige Shingu

Francesco Galluzzo

Mirela-Fernanda Zaltariov

Yaswanth Kuthati

Francisco Haces Fernandez

Mirjana Ljubojević

Yaxin Liu

Francisco Rego

Mirko Stanimirović

Ygor Jessé Ramos

Francisco Solano

Mirza Pojskić

Yi Xu

Frédéric Muttin

Modesto Pérez-Sánchez

Yifan Zhao

Fredrick Eze

Mohammad Ali Sahraei

Yih Jeng

Gabriel Milan

Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki

Yiyang Chen

Gabriel Zazeri

Mohammad Qneibi

Yoichi Shiraishi

Galina Ilieva

Mohammed Gamal

Yong Hwan Kim

Gary Van Vuuren

Mohammed Sayed

Yongqi Yin

Gennadiy Kolesnikov

Mounia Tahri

Young-joo Ahn

George E. Mustoe

Muhammad Ahsan Asghar 

Yousi Fu

George Lazaroiu

Muhammad N. Mahmood

Yuan Meng

George Xiroudakis

Muhammad Syafrudin

Yuefei Zhuo

Georgiy Gamov

Muhammed Yildirim

Yugang He

Gerald Cleaver

Murilo E. C. Bento

Yuliia Trach

Ghassan Ghssein

Muthuraj Arunpandian

Yuliya Semenova

Gian Mario Migliaccio

Narcis Eduard Mitu

Yuri Jorge Peña-Ramirez

Giancarlo Trimarchi

Naser Alsharairi

Yuri Konstantinov

Gianmarco Ferrara

Natale Calomino

Yusheng Xiang

Giovanni Tesoriere

Natanael Karjanto

Yutaka Ohsedo

Giuseppe Brunetti

Nataša Nastić

Zaihua Duan

Giuseppe Di Martino

Naveed Ahmad

Zelaya-Molina Lily Xochilt

Giuseppe Losurdo

Nebojsa Pavlovic

Zenon Pogorelić

Giuseppina Uva

Neli Milenova Vilhelmova

Zhang Ying

Glauber Cruz

Nguyen Dinh-Hung

Zhanni Luo

Glenn Morrison

Nguyen Quoc Khuong

Zhao Ding

Gloria Cerasela Crisan

Nicola Magnavita

Zhengmao Li

Gordana Wozniak-Knopp

Nicoleta Dospinescu

Zhengwei Huang

Gordon Alderink

Nicoletta Cera

Zhidong Zhou

Grazia Giuseppina Politano

Nidhi Puranik

Zhijun Li

Grigorios L. Kyriakopoulos

Nikita Osintsev

Zhixiong Lu

Grzegorz Woroniak

Nikita V. Martyushev

Zhizhong Zhang

Grzegorz Zieliński

Nikola Stanisic

Zhong-Gao Jiao

Guadalupe Gabriel Flores-Rojas

Nilakshi Barua

Zia Muhammad

Guanxi Yan

Nobuo Funabiki

Žiga Laznik

Guoyou Zhang

Octavian Vasiliu

Zigmantas Gudžinskas

Gustavo Henrique Nalon

Oguzhan Der

Zishan Ahmad

Hai-Yu Ji

Oimahmad Rahmonov

Zivan Gojkovic

Hamza Faraji

Olga Morozova

Zoran Mijić

Hamza Sohail

Onur Dogan

Zsuzsanna Bacsi

Hanane Boutaj

Ophir Freund

2 October 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #27 - OASPA 2025, COUNTER 5.1, UK Summit in London, MDPI at the Italian Senate

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

MDPI at OASPA 2025: Embracing the Complexity of Open Access

From 22 to 24 September, I joined the OASPA 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium, where the theme, “Embracing the Complexity – How do we get to 100% Open Access?” tackled the hard questions about the future of scholarly communication.

With MDPI a longstanding member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) and Platinum sponsor of the conference, I was invited to present and participate in important discussions on how we can continue to move the needle in Open Access (OA) publishing.

From 50% to 100% Open Access

Last year’s OASPA conference celebrated a major milestone – reaching 50% of global research outputs published as OA. But, as noted during the conference, this was the “easy” part. The challenge ahead is much tougher: how do we take OA from 50% to 100%? For many academics and institutions, OA is still relatively new, and thus it is essential for us to continue educating people as to what OA is, how it works, and why it matters.


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) presenting at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.

MDPI’s perspective

At MDPI, we are fully committed to this. As a 100% OA publisher, our growth is inseparable from the success of OA itself. In many ways, MDPI is a byproduct of the global adoption of OA, and we play an important role in helping to advance it further.

I had the opportunity to share MDPI’s perspective in the panel discussion entitled: "Hello from the other side: views from fully Open Access journals using APCs," alongside industry colleagues from PLOS, eLife, AOSIS, and Frontiers.

Instead of giving a standard presentation, I highlighted aspects of MDPI that the audience might not be aware of. I also presented on the opportunities and challenges facing publishers that are already fully OA, the importance of diverse models in achieving 100% OA, and why OA is the baseline while Open Science is the future.

 Recognizing Gold OA

As part of the panel, I had undertaken to make some bold and provocative statements. I therefore emphasized a point that is sometimes overlooked: we didn’t reach 50% OA without Gold OA – it accounts for more than half of all OA publications today. And we certainly won’t reach 100% OA without it.

“By educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level”


“When people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should ‘put some respek on our name.”

MDPI is a leader in Gold OA and has been a driver of this progress at scale.

While Gold OA and MDPI are sometimes slighted, both deserve recognition for their contributions to advancing Open Science globally.

I closed my presentation with a reminder that the good we do is sometimes overlooked, and that when people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should "put some respek on our name."

I’m pleased to have seen attendees sharing positive experiences with MDPI, reminding us that we bring real value to the OA movement and deserve a stronger reputation. We also engaged in constructive conversations about various topics, including cost transparency.

A few themes that I took away from the conference:

  • Quality and integrity matter as much as access. OA publishers must not lose sight of research integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability while pursuing 100% OA.
  • Global collaboration is essential. Policies, funding models, and infrastructure differ around the world, and we will need cross-border collaboration to make OA a truly global reality.
  • Open Science is the bigger story. OA is just the first step – the future lies in open data, open peer review, research reproducibility, etc.

“MDPI’s scale allows us to better support authors, reinvest in communities, and push Open Science forward”

How we communicate MDPI’s role

For us at MDPI, this is also a reminder of how we communicate externally. When we tell our story, we shouldn’t forget to start with the bigger picture – Open Science and Open Access. Then we connect it to MDPI, our journals, services, and initiatives, exemplifying the fact that we are part of a mission larger than ourselves.


MDPI colleagues Clàudia Aunós (Society Partnerships), Marta Colomer (External Affairs), Stefan Tochev (CEO), and Nikola Paunovic (Scilit), at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.

The journey to 100% OA will not be simple. But by educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level.

Impactful Research

MDPI becomes COUNTER 5.1 compliant across 480+ Journals

I’m pleased to share that MDPI has officially become COUNTER 5.1 compliant and has joined the COUNTER Registry.

For those who might not be familiar with it, COUNTER provides international standards for tracking and reporting how research is being used. By becoming COUNTER 5.1 compliant, MDPI can now deliver credible, comparable, and transparent usage reports across our entire journal portfolio.

“MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers”

Why is this important?

Because usage statistics aren’t just numbers: they’re powerful tools that help our authors, institutions, and consortia understand the real impact of their research. With COUNTER compliant reports, our institutional partners can now make more informed decisions about publishing agreements, funding allocations, and the long-term value of Open Access.

In practical terms, MDPI will now provide Platform, Title, and Item Reports, with standardized usage views available at the institute and consortium level. These reports cover usage from January 2024 onwards and will be updated monthly. Institutions will be able to access them via SuSy, or automatically through the COUNTER API.

I’d like to highlight and thank Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, who has played a key role in driving this project forward. Becky captured it perfectly when she said: "Through these usage reports, our global research community can access trustworthy data about how their work is being used and accessed

This information is often vital for reviewing publishing partnership agreements and for making informed decisions about future funding allocations."

We also received encouraging feedback from Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director at COUNTER Metrics:

"We’re delighted to see born-OA publishers engaging with COUNTER. Our normalised usage metrics are relied on as the basis for credible return-on-investment calculations by libraries worldwide. By adopting the COUNTER standard, MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers."

For MDPI, this milestone is another step in our commitment to transparency, trust, and impact. By adopting COUNTER’s standards, we’re not just aligning with best practice; we’re ensuring that Open Access publishing is measured on the same terms as traditional publishing, proving its value in concrete and globally recognized ways.

This is an important milestone for MDPI, but more importantly for the researchers, librarians, and institutions we serve. Transparency builds trust, and COUNTER compliance helps us show the global reach and influence of Open Access publishing in the clearest way possible.


Inside Research


Lin Li (Publisher, MDPI), Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI, Prof. Chengkuo Lee (Editor-in-Chief, AI Sensors), and Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing) at restaurant in Basel, Switzerland.

Welcoming Prof. Lee (EiC of AI Sensors) to Basel

On 11 September, we welcomed Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee, Editor-in-Chief of our new journal AI Sensors, to our Basel office. Prof. Lee is a high profiled researcher (h-index 104, 37,000+ citations), a longtime collaborator with MDPI (25 published articles), and has already chaired several AI Sensors (AIS)-related conferences with us, including the recent event in Kuala Lumpur, where AI Sensors held its first editorial board meeting.


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) showing Special Issue reprint books as part of a tour of MDPI’s Basel office.

Every journal has a story

During his visit, we exchanged ideas on how to build the journal’s identity and impact. A key takeaway that I shared was that every journal has a story: its vision, its purpose, and the community it brings together.

That story is what connects with readers and authors, beyond metrics alone.

I encouraged everyone working on journals to reflect: What is the story of your journal? And how can you bring that story to the forefront in how you communicate about it?

How MDPI supports new journals


Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing, MDPI) presenting on the MDPI indexing process at the company’s headquarters in Basel.

We also shared with Prof. Lee how MDPI supports journals through our Institutional Open Access Program, indexing expertise, and the work of our Journal Relationship Specialists.

Launching a new journal is ambitious, but with our strong track record (93% Scopus and 87% Web of Science acceptance rates in 2024), Prof. Lee felt confident that AI Sensors will find its place in the scholarly landscape.

Having spent some hours together, it’s clear that Prof. Lee is not only an Editor-in-Chief but also an ambassador for MDPI. His leadership and collaboration reflect the mission MDPI by which MDPI lives: accelerating Open Access and advancing Open Science.

Special thanks to Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing), Ting Leng (JRS, Managing Editor, AI Sensors), Lin Li (Publisher, AI Sensors), Aimar Xiong (Publisher), and Christian Eberhard (Office Administrator, Basel), for organizing and hosting the meeting.

Coming Together for Science

Highlights from the MDPI UK Summit in London

I was pleased to be back in the UK in September, supporting our Manchester team in hosting their first MDPI Summit in London. This day-and-a-half private event brought together 25 Chief Editors and Associate Editors to exchange knowledge, learn about latest developments at MDPI, and engage in discussions on advancing Open Science. The program included MDPI and guest presentations, and Q&A sessions.

Why these summits matter

Our Summits provide a platform to:

  • Share updates on the latest developments at MDPI, our editorial processes, research integrity practices, and indexing.
  • Highlight collaborations with institutions and societies in the region.
  • Offer external perspectives from guest speakers.
  • Create space for Chief Editors to share their insights, ask questions, network, and help shape MDPI’s path forward.

These gatherings are more than updates: they improve our relationships with Chief Editors, who serve not only as leaders of their journals but also as ambassadors for MDPI within the research community. We often hear that this type of event is unique, something many other publishers do not provide. It shows that we care and are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators.

MDPI and the UK: Key facts

  • With over 80,000 publications, the UK is MDPI’s eighth-largest contributor.
  • MDPI is the fourth-largest publisher in the UK, accounting for 11% of the country’s 89,526 Open Access publications in 2024.
  • We collaborate with more than 4,000 active UK Editorial Board Members, 48% of whom have an H-index above 26. This includes 49 Editors-in-Chief and 74 Section Editors-in-Chief.
  • MDPI maintains over 1,000 IOAP agreements worldwide, with 63 from the UK.

“We are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators”

Agenda highlights:

  • MDPI Overview, Open Access, and UK Collaboration – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
  • Research Integrity and Publication Ethics – Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist, MDPI)
  • Institutional Partnerships – Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager, MDPI)
  • Promoting and Developing Your Journal – Prof. Fabio Tosti (Editor-in-Chief of NDT)
  • Indexing to Impact – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
  • Engaging our Academic Community – Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager, MDPI)
  • Closing Remarks – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)


MDPI colleagues Stefan Tochev (CEO), Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager), Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead), Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager), Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist) at the MDPI UK 2025 Summit in London.

Thank you!

A special thank-you to the Manchester team and all colleagues behind the scenes who made this Summit a success. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. We look forward to building on this momentum with future Summits in Europe and beyond.


Closing Thoughts


Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI) and Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) participating in a press conference at the Italiane Senate in Rome to promote the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM)

MDPI at the Italian Senate: Promoting Environmental Medicine and Open Science

On 16 September, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead) and I had the honour of participating in a press conference at the Italian Senate in Rome, organized by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) to promote the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM) (20–21 November 2025).

This is an important event for MDPI, as we are the exclusive publishing partner for ICEM and have recently launched a new journal with SIMA, further building our presence both in Italy and within this important field of research.

Why this matters

  • The promotion of ICEM has received extensive national media coverage (more than 15 mentions in major Italian outlets; see links below).
  • The press conference brought together leading policymakers, academics, and Nobel Laureates to emphasize the impact of environmental exposures and epigenetics on human health.
  • We were introduced to government ministries, university rectors, and influential stakeholders, which helps us bolster MDPI’s visibility and reputation in Italy.

Highlights

Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts joined the discussion, underlining the importance of environmental medicine in shaping future health outcomes. Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Tong Zhu (Peking University) will also speak at the November conference.

Institutional representatives included the Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, the Italian Undersecretary for Health, and senior officials from the World Health Organization.

In my closing remarks, I highlighted that:

“Over the past five years, about 65% of research published in Italy has been Open Access, compared to an average of 55% worldwide.”

Italian research ranked seventh among the top 20 countries in average citations during this period, reflecting its strong international influence. Not only is Italy producing a high volume of research; it is also producing research of outstanding quality.

MDPI’s role

This event was not only about promoting ICEM but also about showcasing MDPI’s commitment to Open Access and our ability to connect scientific publishing with leading academic, medical, and policy institutions.

As Giulia Stefenelli noted:

“This event was highly relevant for MDPI, as it not only showcased our strong commitment to OA but also emphasized our role in advancing important fields such as Environmental Medicine.”

Learn more

This moment at the Italian Senate shows how MDPI can connect publishing with science, policy, and society to help advance both Open Science and environmental health research on a global stage.

In Rome with Sir Richard Roberts (photo left) and Prof. Giuseppe Novelli (EiC of MDPI journal COVID).

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

30 September 2025
International Geodiversity Day—“One Earth, Many Stories”, 6 October 2025


International Geodiversity Day 2025, to be observed on 6 October, celebrates the theme “One Earth, Many Stories”. This year’s campaign highlights the vital role of geodiversity—encompassing rocks, fossils, soils, and landscapes—in shaping Earth’s 4-billion-year history and supporting ecosystems, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The observance of this day calls on governments, researchers, educators, and communities worldwide to recognize, protect, and promote geodiversity as a foundation for understanding our planet and addressing today’s global challenges.

At MDPI, we are proud to support this important initiative. Through our open access journals, we aim to provide a platform for researchers to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices that advance the study and preservation of geodiversity. By fostering global collaboration and promoting scientific insights, we contribute to safeguarding the stories of our Earth for future generations.

Invited Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Valeria Luciani
University of Ferrara, Italy

Prof. Dr. Luigi Jovane
Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

Dr. Andrea Di Capua
University of Insubria, Como and Varese, Italy

Dr. Linda Stalker
Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia

 

Dr. Roberta Somma
Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy

Dr. Miriam Belmaker
University of Tulsa, USA

Dr. Jakub Ciążela
Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

 

Free to register for this webinar here!

“Southernmost Eurasian Record of Reindeer (Rangifer) in MIS 8 at Galería (Atapuerca, Spain): Evidence of Progressive Southern Expansion of Glacial Fauna Across Climatic Cycles
by Jan van der Made, Ignacio A. Lazagabaster, Paula García-Medrano and Isabel Cáceres
Quaternary 20258(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat8030043 

“Upper Pleistocene Marine Levels of the Es Copinar–Es Estufadors (Formentera, Balearic Islands, West Mediterranean)
by Laura del Valle, Guillem X. Pons and Joan J. Fornós
Quaternary 2025, 8(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat8030038 

“Bioerosion Structures on Dinosaur Bones Probably Made by Multituberculate Mammals and Dermestid Beetles (Guichón Formation, Late Cretaceous of Uruguay)
by Daniel Perea, Mariano Verde, Valeria Mesa, Matías Soto and Felipe Montenegro
Foss. Stud. 2025, 3(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/fossils3010002 

“The Largest Mesosaurs Ever Known: Evidence from Scanty Records
by Graciela Piñeiro, Pablo Núñez Demarco and Michel Laurin
Foss. Stud. 2025, 3(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/fossils3010001 

Caletodraco cottardi: A New Furileusaurian Abelisaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Cenomanian Chalk of Normandy (North-Western France)
by Eric Buffetaut, Haiyan Tong, Jérôme Girard, Bernard Hoyez and Javier Párraga
Foss. Stud. 2024, 2(3), 177-195; https://doi.org/10.3390/fossils2030009 

“On the Footsteps of Active Faults from the Saronic Gulf to the Eastern Corinth Gulf: Application of Tomographic Inversion Using Recent Seismic Activity
by Andreas Karakonstantis and Filippos Vallianatos
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(15), 6427; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156427 

“Towards Enhanced Understanding and Experience of Landforms, Geohazards, and Geoheritage through Virtual Reality Technologies in Education: Lessons from the GeoVT Project
by Vittoria Vandelli, Piotr Migoń, Ylva Palmgren, Evangelos Spyrou, Giannis Saitis, Maria Eleni Andrikopoulou, Paola Coratza, Mohand Medjkane, Carmen Prieto, Konstantinos Kalovrektis et al.
Geosciences 2024, 14(5), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14050127 

“Active Faults, Kinematics, and Seismotectonic Evolution during Tajogaite Eruption 2021 (La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain)
by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pascua, Raúl Perez-Lopez, María Ángeles Perucha, Nieves Sánchez, Julio López-Gutierrez, José F. Mediato, David Sanz-Mangas, Gonzalo Lozano, Inés Galindo, Juan Carlos García-Davalillo et al.
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072745 

“The First Dinosaur from the Kingdom of Cambodia: A Sauropod Fibula from the Lower Cretaceous of Koh Kong Province, South-Western Cambodia
by Vanchan Lim, Eric Buffetaut, Haiyan Tong, Lionel Cavin, Kimchhay Pann and Phalline Polypheakdey Ngoeun
Foss. Stud. 2023, 1(1), 49-59; https://doi.org/10.3390/fossils1010006 

“Vegetation Composition in a Typical Mediterranean Setting (Gulf of Corinth, Greece) during Successive Quaternary Climatic Cycles
by Aikaterini Kafetzidou, Eugenia Fatourou, Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos, Fabienne Marret and Katerina Kouli
Quaternary 20236(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat6020030

“Paleoecology, Evolution, Biogeography and Systematics of Quaternary Mammals
Guest Editors: Dr. H. Gregory McDonald and Dr. Joaquín Arroyo-Cabrales
Deadline for submissions: 10 January 2026

 “Interdisciplinary Research into Cultural and Biological Transformations in the Paleolithic Period: 2nd Edition
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Ran Barkai
Deadline for submissions: 20 Feburary 2026

“Advances in Geophysical Approaches in Volcanic and Geothermal Areas
Guest Editors: Dr. Riccardo De Ritis and Dr. Salvatore Passaro
Deadline for submissions: 20 March 2026

“Research on Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Wenfeng Wang and Dr. Qingfeng Lu
Deadline for submissions: 31 March 2026

30 September 2025
Nobel Prize — The Science Behind the Prize


Nobel Prizes are the world’s most prestigious recognition of scientific breakthroughs, honoring discoveries that push the boundaries of knowledge and reshape entire fields. They bring into the public eye researchers whose work might otherwise remain known only within specialized circles.

For many, winning a Nobel Prize is a surreal experience. Laureates often describe a mix of joy, humility, reflection, and gratitude for the teams and collaborators whose contributions made the achievement possible. Behind every Nobel-winning idea lies years of careful, incremental work—a process that often goes unseen.

When Prof. Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in October 1979, his wife Louise, a legal scholar, reminded him to keep doing the ordinary hard work of science, joking: “Now you have to write some unimportant papers.” True to form, Weinberg continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe, showing that curiosity and dedication extend far beyond the moment of recognition (Hofmann 2025: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/17/6/840).

Discover the science behind the world’s most transformative ideas

Over the years, dozens of Nobel laureates have published their work with MDPI, entrusting our open access journals to disseminate their findings to a global audience. As of 2024, more than 40 laureates have contributed over 115 articles across 35 journals, ranging from pioneering research on microRNAs and mRNA therapeutics, to fundamental insights in theoretical physics, and advances in structural biology.

We regularly spotlight how Nobel Prize–winning research intersects with the contributions of our authors. This not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates, but also underscores the role of open access in ensuring that transformative science reaches the widest possible audience.

On this page, we invite you to explore selected works by Nobel laureates within the MDPI portfolio, and to join us in celebrating the global impact of their ideas.


The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 will be announced on October 6 at 11:30 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

 

 

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physiology or Medicine Roundtable
6 October 2025, 03:30 pm (CEST)
Free to register for this webinar here!

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 will be announced on October 7 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

 

 

The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physics Roundtable
7 October 2025, 02:30 pm (CEST)
Free to register for this webinar here!


The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 will be announced on October 8 at 11:45 am CEST (at the earliest), awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.

 

 

29 September 2025
World Architecture Day—“Design for Strength”, 6 October 2025


World Architecture Day, observed annually on the first Monday of October, is a global initiative that highlights the critical role of architecture in addressing societal challenges while promoting sustainable and equitable development of built environments. Established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1985, this day has become a vital platform for advancing architectural innovation and raising public awareness about the transformative power of design.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Design for Strength”, and Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Sustainable Cities and Communities), MDPI emphasizes the need for resilient, adaptive, and inclusive architectural solutions. In an era of rapid urbanization and climate uncertainty, architects and researchers are pioneering groundbreaking approaches—from disaster-resistant structures to carbon-neutral materials—that fundamentally redefine how we build and inhabit spaces.

Join us in celebrating World Architecture Day and supporting initiatives that empower architects to create a more sustainable and resilient future. Together, we can shape built environments that not only withstand the tests of time and transformation but also foster equity, well-being, and harmony between humanity and nature.

Engineering

Chemistry & Materials Science

Environment & Earth Sciences

Invited Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome,
University of Reading, UK

Dr. Paris Fokaides,
Frederick University, Cyprus

Dr. Ehsan Harirchian,
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany

Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi,
Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy

Free to register for this webinar here!

We are honored to interview Dr. Paris Fokaides from Frederick University, Cyprus, on his research journey and insight.

Name: Dr. Paris Fokaides
Affiliation: School of Engineering, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus

“Academic work on ‘design for strength’ must integrate performance simulations, life cycle thinking, and smart readiness assessments to ensure designs are not only safe and durable, but also sustainable and responsive.”

Please read the full interview here.

Comparison of Pulse-Echo Tomography and Through-Transmission Ultrasonic Test for UPV Characterization of Building Materials
by Emilia Vasanelli, Davide Di Gennaro, Matteo Sticchi, Gianni Blasi and Luigi Capozzoli
Infrastructures 2025, 10(7), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10070162

An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage
by Michael Hensel, Jakub Tyc, Albin Ahmeti and Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel
Land 2025, 14(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040840

AI-Driven Innovations in Building Energy Management Systems: A Review of Potential Applications and Energy Savings
by Dalia Mohammed Talat Ebrahim Ali, Violeta Motuzienė and Rasa Džiugaitė-Tumėnienė
Energies 2024, 17(17), 4277; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174277

Application of Long-Period Fiber Grating Sensors in Structural Health Monitoring: A Review
by Ying Zhuo, Pengfei Ma, Pu Jiao and Xinzhe Yuan
CivilEng 2024, 5(3), 559–575; https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng5030030

Recycling Potential of Construction Materials: A Comparative Approach
by Matan Mayer
Constr. Mater. 2024, 4(1), 238–250; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater4010013

A New Method for Defining the Optimal Separation Gap Distance and the Acceptable Structural Pounding Risk on Multistory RC Structures
by Maria G. Flenga and Maria J. Favvata
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031165

A Simple and Effective Method to Evaluate Seismic Maximum Floor Velocities for Steel-Framed Structures with Supplementary Dampers
by Alexia Kosmidou, Foteini Konstandakopoulou, Nikos Pnevmatikos, Panagiotis G. Asteris and George Hatzigeorgiou
Appl. Mech. 2023, 4(4), 1114–1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmech4040057

Effects of Chemicals Exposure on the Durability of Geopolymer Concrete Incorporated with Silica Fumes and Nano-Sized Silica at Varying Curing Temperatures
by Sagar Paruthi, Ibadur Rahman, Asif Husain, Mohd Abul Hasan and Afzal Husain Khan
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186332

Innovative and Sustainable Composite Material for the Seismic and Energetic Upgrade of Historic Masonry Buildings
by Dora Pugliese, Valerio Alecci, Rosa Romano, Gianfranco Stipo, Mario De Stefano and Antonio Nanni
Fibers 2023, 11(9), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib11090076

Evaluation of the Performance and Durability of Self-Cleaning Treatments Based on TiO2 Nanoparticles Applied to Cement-Based Renders and Boards
by Alberto Fregni, Luca Venturi and Elisa Franzoni
Coatings 2023, 13(6), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13060990

Predicting Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings Using Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms
by Fateme Dinmohammadi, Yuxuan Han and Mahmood Shafiee
Energies 2023, 16(9), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16093748

Key Building Design and Construction Lessons from the 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquakes
by Iftekhar Ahmed
Architecture 2023, 3(1), 104–106; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture3010007

Resilience and Sustainability in Architecture and Urban Planning: Policies, Practices, Strategies and Visions, 2nd Edition
Guest Editors: Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed, Dr. Sandra Carrasco, Dr. Ranit Chatterjee and Dr. Thomas Cooper-Johnson
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

BioCognitive Architectural Design
Guest Editors: Dr. Michal Gath-Morad and Prof. Dr. Koen Steemers
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Incorporating Advanced New or Recycled Materials in Reinforced Concrete Structures
Guest Editors: Dr. Ayman El-Zohairy, Dr. Antonio Caggiano and Prof. Dr. Baoguo Han
Submission deadline: 20 February 2026

Mineral and Metal Materials in Civil Engineering
Guest Editors: Dr. Dušan Arsić and Dr. Ružica R. Nikolić
Submission deadline: 31 March 2026

25 September 2025
MDPI Webinar | International Geodiversity Day, 6 October 2025


We are pleased to invite you to the International Geodiversity Day 2025 Webinar, taking place on 6 October 2025 under the theme “One Earth, Many Stories”. International Geodiversity Day, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2021, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of geodiversity—the minerals, fossils, soils, and landscapes that form the non-living foundation of our planet.

This year’s theme emphasizes how every rock, fossil, and landscape carries part of Earth’s 4-billion-year history, offering important insights into natural processes, human interaction with the environment, and responses to global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development. We invite researchers, PhD students, and the wider academic community to join us in exploring these stories, sharing knowledge, and reflecting on the essential role of geodiversity in science and society.

This webinar will feature expert speakers from around the world who will share their latest research, perspectives, and experiences in advancing geodiversity studies. It will also provide an interactive platform for discussion, fostering collaboration and inspiring new ideas at the intersection of geoscience, education, and sustainable development.

Date: 6 October at 2:00 p.m. CEST | 8:00 a.m. EDT |8:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 821 6551 4554
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/IGD2025-1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations made with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.

Register now for free!

Program:

Speaker/Presentation

Time in CEST

Time in CST Asia

MDPI Introduction

2:00–2:10 p.m.

8:00–8:10 p.m.

Prof. Dr. Valeria Luciani
Geological Perspective of Global Warming: Lessons from Marine Microfossils for Present and Future Climate

2:10–2:30 p.m.

8:10–8:30 p.m.

Prof. Dr. Luigi Jovane
Mesophotic Hardground Revealed by Multidisciplinary Cruise on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin

2:30–2:50 p.m.

8:30–8:50 p.m.

Dr. Andrea Di Capua
Volcaniclastic deposits: classification and practical examples

2:50–3:10 p.m.

8:50–9:10 p.m.

Dr. Linda Stalker
CCS—Past, Present and Emerging Research challenges for Geological Carbon Storage

3:10–3:30 p.m.

9:10–9:30 p.m.

Q&A Session

3:30–3:40 p.m.

9:30–9:40 p.m.

Break Time

3:40–3:45 p.m.

9:40–9:45 p.m.

Dr. Robert Somma
Forensic Geology: Case Studies

3:45–4:05 p.m.

9:45–10:05 p.m.

Dr. Miriam Belmaker
Where Ecology and Paleontology Intersect: What Impact does our Knowledge of Modern Ecological Processes have on our Understanding of Past Ecological Events?

4:05–4:25 p.m.

10:05–10:25 p.m.

Dr. Jakub Ciążela
Sustainable Resource Exploration at the Extremes: From Ocean Depths to Outer Space

4:25–4:45 p.m.

10:25–10:45 p.m.

Q&A Session

4:45–5:05 p.m.

10:45–11:05 p.m.

Closing of Webinar

5:05–5:10 p.m.

11:05–11:10 p.m.

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

  • Prof. Dr. Luigi Jovane, Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil;
  • Prof. Dr. Valeria Luciani, Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy;
  • Dr. Andrea Di Capua, University of Insubria, Como and Varese, Italy;
  • Dr. Linda Stalker, Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia;
  • Dr. Roberta Somma, Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy;
  • Dr. Miriam Belmaker, University of Tulsa, USA;
  • Dr. Jakub Ciążela, Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland.

Welcome to the International Geodiversity Day 2025 Webinar!

18 September 2025
Interview with Prof. Dr. Pasquale Avino and Ms. Debora Mignogna—Winners of the Applied Sciences Best Paper Award

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.

Prof. Dr. Pasquale Avino Ms. Debora Mignogna

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.

16 September 2025
MDPI Webinar | International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 16 September 2025


We are pleased to invite you to join us as at MDPI’s upcoming International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer webinar, which will be held on 16 September 2025. This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol in protecting life on Earth.

The theme of the webinar, “From science to global action”, aims to highlight the vital role of science in raising global awareness of emerging issues. Forty years ago, the Vienna Convention was adopted as a result of growing concerns raised by the scientific community about the potentially catastrophic impact of the proliferation of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer. With the Montreal Protocol adopted two years later, international leaders agreed on global action to phase out ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons.

Date: 16 September 2025 at 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 845 1164 6086
Webinar webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/IDPOL-2

Register now for free!

Program:

Speaker

Presentation Title

Time in CEST

Time in EDT

 

Introduction

4:00–4:10 p.m.

10:00–10:10 a.m.

Dr. Eugene Rozanov

40 Years with the “Ozone Hole”: What's in the Future?

4:10–4:30 p.m.

10:10–10:30 a.m.

Dr. Kostas Eleftheratos

The Importance of Monitoring the Ozone Layer and its Recovery

4:30–4:50 p.m.

10:30–10:50 a.m.

Dr. Pasquale Avino

TBD

4:50–5:10 p.m.

10:50–11:10 a.m.

 

Q&A Session

5:10–5:25 p.m.

11:10–11:25 a.m.

 

Closing of Webinar

5:25–5:30 p.m.

11:25–11:30 a.m.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Webinar Speakers:

  • Dr. Eugene Rozanov, PMOD/WRC, Davos, Switzerland;
  • Dr. Kostas Eleftheratos, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
  • Dr.Pasquale Avino, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise

Relevant Special Issues:
Ozone Evolution in the Past and Future (2nd Edition)
Guest Editor: Eugene Rozanov
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025
Submit to Atmosphere

Outdoor and Indoor Air Ions, Radon, and Ozone
Guest Editors: Predrag M. Kolarž and Igor T. Čeliković
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025
Submit to Atmosphere

Satellite Observations for Particulate Matter and Gaseous Pollutants Research
Guest Editors: Zhengqiang Li, Jintai Lin, Cheng Chen and Yan Yu
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025
Submit to Remote Sensing

Advances in Air Pollution Detection and Air Quality Research
Guest Editors: Mihaela Tinca Udriștioiu, Silvia Puiu and Liliana Velea
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026
Submit to Applied Sciences

Aerosol Measurement, Properties and Its Impacts
Guest Editors: Tymon Zielinski and Luca Ferrero
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026
Submit to Applied Sciences

Relevant Feature Papers:
Signs of Slowing Recovery of Antarctic Ozone Hole in Recent Late Winter–Early Spring Seasons (2020–2023)
by Janusz Krzyścin and Agnieszka Czerwińska
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010080

Calibration and Validation of NOAA-21 Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Nadir Mapper Sensor Data Record Data
by Banghua Yan, Trevor Beck, Junye Chen, Steven Buckner, Xin Jin, Ding Liang, Sirish Uprety, Jingfeng Huang, Lawrence E. Flynn, Likun Wang, Quanhua Liu and Warren D. Porter
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(23), 4488; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16234488

Accuracy Evaluation of Differential Absorption Lidar for Ozone Detection and Intercomparisons with Other Instruments
by Guangqiang Fan, Bowen Zhang, Tianshu Zhang, Yibin Fu, Chenglei Pei, Shengrong Lou, Xiaobing Li, Zhenyi Chen and Wenqing Liu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(13), 2369; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16132369

Long-Term Changes of Positive Anomalies of Erythema-Effective UV Irradiance Associated with Low Ozone Events in Germany 1983–2019
by Gudrun Laschewski and Andreas Matzarakis
Environments 2023, 10(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10020031

Random Forest Spatial-Temporal and State Space Models to Assess the Impact of Bushfire-Induced Aerosol Events on Ozone Depletion in Australia
by Irene Hudson, Phillip Pedro-Suvorov and Servet Kocak
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9825; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219825

16 September 2025
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer—“From Science to Global Action”, 16 September 2025


On this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, we are reminded of a critical environmental threat that humanity uncovered and collectively chose to address: the damage to our planet's protective ozone shield. Scientific research revealed that several commonly used industrial chemicals are responsible for this deterioration. These substances, known as halocarbons, contain carbon atoms linked to highly reactive halogen atoms such as chlorine and bromine. It was discovered that when released into the atmosphere, these chemicals undertake a destructive journey to the stratosphere, where they catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules, with bromine-containing compounds posing a particularly severe threat due to their significantly higher ozone-depleting potential (ODP).

This global cooperation stands as a major milestone in healing the ozone layer, combating climate change, and protecting ecosystems. Let us join hands to honor this International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and strengthen our shared commitment to safeguarding our planet.

 

Webinar webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/IDPOL-2
Keynote Speakers:


Dr. Eugene Rozanov, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia

Dr. Kostas Eleftheratos, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

 Free to register here!

Differential Responses of Tree Species to Elevated Ozone and Increasing Air Temperature: Implications for Foliar Functional Traits, Carbon Sequestration, and Their Relationship Under Mixed Planting
by Ruiting Wang, Sheng Xu, Qin Ping, Kexin Li, Kexin Gao and Xingyuan He
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2183; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122183

Random Forest Spatial-Temporal and State Space Models to Assess the Impact of Bushfire-Induced Aerosol Events on Ozone Depletion in Australia
by Irene Hudson, Phillip Pedro-Suvorov and Servet Kocak
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9825; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219825

Turbulent Energy and Carbon Fluxes in an Andean Montane Forest—Energy Balance and Heat Storage
by Charuta Murkute, Mostafa Sayeed, Franz Pucha-Cofrep, Galo Carrillo-Rojas, Jürgen Homeier, Oliver Limberger, Andreas Fries, Jörg Bendix and Katja Trachte
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101828

Impact of Air Conditioning Type on Outdoor Ozone Intrusion into Homes in a Semi-Arid Climate
by James D. Johnston, Seth Van Roosendaal, Joseph West, Hanyong Jung and Darrell Sonntag
Environments 2024, 11(10), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11100219

Statistical Evaluation of NO2 Emissions in Mashhad City Using Cisco Network Model
by Mohammad Gheibi and Reza Moezzi
Gases 2024, 4(3), 273-294; https://doi.org/10.3390/gases4030016

Enhancing Air-Quality Predictions on University Campuses: A Machine-Learning Approach to PM2.5 Forecasting at the University of Petroșani
by Fabian Arun Panaite, Cosmin Rus, Monica Leba, Andreea Cristina Ionica and Michael Windisch
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177854

Accuracy Evaluation of Differential Absorption Lidar for Ozone Detection and Intercomparisons with Other Instruments
by Guangqiang Fan, Bowen Zhang, Tianshu Zhang, Yibin Fu, Chenglei Pei, Shengrong Lou, Xiaobing Li, Zhenyi Chen and Wenqing Liu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(13), 2369; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16132369

Evaluating the Influence of Urban Blocks on Air Pollution Concentration Levels: The Case Study of Golden Lane Estate in London
by Mehrdad Borna, Giulia Turci, Marco Marchetti and Rosa Schiano-Phan
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020696

Signs of Slowing Recovery of Antarctic Ozone Hole in Recent Late Winter–Early Spring Seasons (2020–2023)
by Janusz Krzyścin and Agnieszka Czerwińska
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010080

Determination of Ozone Concentration Levels in Urban Environments Using a Laser Spectroscopy System
by Mioara Petrus, Cristina Popa and Ana-Maria Bratu
Environments 2024, 11(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11010009

Bio-Energy: Biogas, Biomethane and Green-Hydrogen
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. João Fernando Pereira Gomes
Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

Advances in Urban Air Pollution: 2nd Edition
Guest Editors: Dr. Yonghang Lai and Prof. Dr. Peter Brimblecombe
Submission deadline: 20 December 2025

Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Well-Being in Developing Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts and Economic Constraints
Guest Editor: Dr. Aya Hagishima
Submission deadline: 28 February 2026

Advances in Air Pollution Detection and Air Quality Research
Guest Editors: Dr. Mihaela Tinca Udriștioiu, Dr. Silvia Puiu and Dr. Liliana Velea
Submission deadline: 20 March 2026

9 September 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: Gold-Tier Sponsorship of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) Held on 19–21 August 2025


MDPI was proud to serve as a Gold-Tier Sponsor of the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) 2025, hosted by the University of Alberta, Canada. This annual event provides a vital platform for graduate students to present their research, exchange knowledge, and build connections across academic and professional communities.

As part of our sponsorship, MDPI hosted a Scientific Publishing Workshop on 19 August, providing graduate students with guidance on the fundamentals of MDPI’s scholarly publishing process and the benefits of open access. In addition, our representatives were present at the Industry Mixer on 21 August, engaging directly with participants to share insights into MDPI and opportunities to participate as authors, reviewers, and editors.

This collaboration between MDPI’s engineering subject, FEGRS, and the University of Alberta underscores a shared commitment to advancing scholarly research, promoting academic excellence, and supporting the next generation of engineers. By supporting initiatives like FEGRS 2025, MDPI continues to champion the principles of accessibility, collaboration, and innovation in publishing—empowering the next generation of researchers to thrive in their academic journeys.

For additional information on the event and our sponsorship, please see the event website here: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/engineering/research/graduate-student-research/faculty-of-engineering-graduate-research-symposium/index.html.

For additional information on MDPI’s promoted engineering journals, please visit the following websites:

MDPI Speakers:

Mr. Carlo Cunanan has a BSc and MSc in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo. His expertise lies in energy systems and energy economics. He joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the Sustainability journal at the Toronto office and is now a Group Leader and Section Managing Editor. He travels across Canada and the United States, attending conferences and meeting with scholars.
Ms. Charlie Cai graduated from Queen Mary University of London and joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor in the Sensors journal at the Beijing office. She is currently a Section Managing Editor of the Sensors journal.

Organizers:

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) is an annual event where graduate students can present their research to their colleagues and professors across all disciplines. This event gives many early career researchers a place to present their ideas to an interdisciplinary audience without the pressures of larger conferences. Additionally, we organize multiple career development workshops with industry partners and professional organizations and cap the event off with an Industry–Student Mixer. The whole event is organized and planned by graduate student volunteers.
A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Based in Basel, Switzerland, MDPI’s mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines.

Back to TopTop