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30 April 2025
Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller Share the 2024 Tu Youyou Award


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

2024 Tu Youyou Award Laureates

Richard DiMarchi
Indiana University, USA
Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
   

Rolf Müller
Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany;
Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany;
Saarland University, Germany
Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

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

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

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

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

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

15 May 2025
Interview with Dr. Antonio Comi—Author of Applied Sciences Title Story Article in Q3 2024

Dr. Antonio Comi is one of the authors of the article entitled “The Use of Electric Vehicles to Support the Needs of the Electricity Grid: A Systematic Literature Review”, published in Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417), which has been selected as the Title Story in Q3 2024.

The following is an interview with Dr. Antonio Comi:

1. Congratulations on your publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and summarize the main content and key findings of your title story article for our readers?
Thank you! It is a pleasure to be here. I am Antonio Comi, a full professor in transportation at the University of Roma Tor Vergata, within the Department of Enterprise Engineering “Mario Lucertini”. I lecture in the Theory of Transportation Systems and Freight Transportation. My main research areas include transportation planning, passenger and freight transportation, city logistics, and discrete choice modeling. Recently, I have been focusing on electric mobility and the opportunity offered by telematics in improving travel experiences both for passengers and commercial drivers. One of the key studies that we have been working on is exploring how electric vehicles can offer new opportunities for electric grids. In the study that we (co-authored with Dr. Ippolita Idone) published in Applied Sciences, we discussed the potential of using electric vehicles to support the grid, specifically through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows the energy stored in parked electric vehicles to be used to support grid demands.

2. What motivated you to submit your paper to our journal? And in your opinion, what benefits do authors gain when publishing in Applied Sciences?
I was delighted to submit because I have published in Applied Sciences before. I had two papers published—one on city logistics focusing on the benefits coming from the use of eco-friendly vehicles, and one on the use of electric vehicles to support the needs of the electricity grid. I think Applied Sciences is a high-level journal with a wide reach. It allows researchers to share their work with a large audience worldwide, which is crucial for spreading knowledge. It is important that our research reach a global audience, and Applied Sciences is a platform that does just that, as evidenced by the large number of views from various countries.

3. What inspired you to conduct research on this topic related to the title story article?
I was involved in a national project focused on improving electric grids, specifically how to utilize the energy stored in electric vehicle batteries. We often think of electric vehicles as just a means of transportation, but during the day when many vehicles are parked, their batteries hold significant amounts of energy. This energy can be used to support the grid during peak demand times, helping to stabilize energy grids and reduce the need for additional energy production, with high sustainability benefits.

4. What do you think sets your paper apart and what contributed to its selection as the title article?
I believe that the paper stands out because it highlights new opportunities for improving sustainability, not just within cities but also globally. As energy demands continue to increase, it is essential to find ways to optimize energy production and consumption. The concept of using electric vehicles to support the grid helps to achieve this by utilizing stored energy instead of letting it go unused, which is what makes this research so valuable.

5. What advice would you give to researchers aiming to publish high-impact papers?
To publish high-impact papers, researchers need to have a clear vision of their research and understand its position within the broader context. It is important to articulate how their work advances knowledge and contributes to innovation in a way that is easy to understand. The contribution should be clear from the very first line of the paper, and the methodology should be straightforward. This helps to ensure that the research reaches a broad audience and attracts interest from others in the field.

6. Did you encounter any significant challenges while conducting your research? If so, how did you overcome them?
My research spans various areas, from freight transportation to city planning, transit, micromobility, evacuation, and electric mobility, and with each new field, we face unique challenges. However, it is essential to look toward the future and focus on creating a sustainable world, which motivates us to keep pushing forward. We are not just focusing on low-emission solutions but also on economic and social sustainability. Applied Sciences provides a great platform for sharing these insights beyond our specific field, which is beneficial in addressing these challenges.

7. Since Applied Sciences is an open access journal, how do you think open access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community?
I think open access is the future of publishing. It allows researchers to share their findings quickly with a wide audience, accelerating the spread of knowledge and innovation. Traditional publishing methods limit access to a select group, but open access makes research accessible to anyone, anywhere. This facilitates faster innovation and ensures that important discoveries reach those who can benefit from them, regardless of their ability to access traditional publications.

15 May 2025
Interview with Dr. Luis Lugo—Author of Applied Sciences Issue Cover

We are pleased to announce that the paper of Dr. Luis Lugo, “Assessing Anatase TiO2 Nanofluids Performance: Experimental Heat Transfer Coefficients vs. Mouromtseff Number Ratios”, has been chosen for the Issue Cover of Applied Sciences, Volume 14, Issue 17 (September-1 2024).

The Applied Sciences Issue Cover project aims to offer a promotional opportunity for high-quality papers in each issue of every published journal, to encourage scientists to present their latest research in the field of applied sciences, which helps to increase their influence.

The following is an interview with Dr. Luis Lugo:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and summarize the main content and key findings of your featured issue cover paper for our readers?
The focus of this paper is the comparison between the experimental determination and predictive ability of the behavior of nanofluids in heat transfer applications, specifically examining heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops. The paper used experimental data for comparison with predictions based on experimental thermophysical properties. The research highlights the importance of nanofluids in heat transfer and uses dimensional analysis to make predictions.

2. What motivated you and your research team to submit the paper to Applied Sciences? From your point of view, what benefits do authors gain when publishing in Applied Sciences?
There were several motivations for submitting to Applied Sciences. First, the application-focused nature of the journal aligned with the study’s goal. Additionally, the paper was derived from a Ph.D. student's work, and the team needed to publish it quickly. The journal’s relatively quick turnaround time and open access nature were also key factors in the decision.

3. What inspired you to research this specific topic?
Our motivation stemmed from over a decade of work with nanofluids and the application of certain methodologies in this area. This long-term involvement naturally led to our increasing interest in understanding and developing more precise models and applications for nanofluids in heat transfer.

4. What do you think sets your paper apart and what contributed to it being selected as the cover story?
I am uncertain about what specifically sets my paper apart, especially since the journal featured over 600 papers in the Featured Issue. However, our extensive background in this area of fluids and the special applications of this type of materials are possible reasons for selecting this paper.

5. What advice would you give to researchers aiming to publish high-impact papers?
Publishing high-impact papers requires targeting journals with a strong reputation. The level of research quality has risen in recent years, making it essential to aim for journals with high impact factors to ensure that the publication is both relevant and widely recognized. The reputation of the journal plays a major role in the paper’s reach and credibility.

6. Which research topics do you think will be of interest to the research community in the coming years?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot and transformative topic for the future. AI is changing industries and has become more influential than some of the most groundbreaking innovations in history. Additionally, research topics focusing on improving the quality of life and sustainability, such as reducing emissions and enhancing environmental practices, will be of growing importance.

7. Did you encounter any significant challenges while conducting your research? If so, how did you overcome them?
Yes, building a strong, multidisciplinary team was a key factor in overcoming research challenges. The importance of fostering a team with high ethical standards, a commitment to quality, and an understanding of the societal impacts of the work was evident. Ensuring that the team was well rounded and ethically grounded was central to the success of the research.

8. How do you think Open Access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community?
I express some reservations about Open Access publishing, questioning whether it truly contributes to improving people’s quality of life. Open Access could be a good process, but I have concerns about its implications for maintaining the scientific rigor of published work or for ensuring that research is conducted in areas that society really needs to focus on. The most important factor in publishing is that papers should aim to improve society as a whole and quality of life, and I am not sure if Open Access always does this.

14 May 2025
International Day of Light—“Light, Innovation, Society”, 16 May 2025


Celebrating the International Day of Light, we reflect on light’s essential role in connecting scientific discovery with daily life. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Light, Innovation, Society”, we explore how light transcends boundaries—driving innovations across disciplines, enhancing human experiences, and fostering collaborative solutions to shared challenges. As both a universal symbol and a scientific tool, light continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections in an ever-evolving world.

MDPI invites researchers and readers to engage with our open access journals, Special Issues, and collaborative platforms dedicated to advancing light-related research. Discover freely accessible studies spanning from foundational principles to emerging applications, participate in global discussions through interdisciplinary forums, and contribute to open science efforts that bridge ideas and communities. Together, let us harness light’s simplicity and depth to spark dialogue, empower collective progress, and illuminate pathways toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

“Preparation and Photoelectric Properties of Nanostructured Native Oxide of Gallium Monoselenide with Applications in Gas Sensors
by Veaceslav Sprincean, Alexandru Macovei, Liviu Leontie, Aurelian Carlescu, Silviu Gurlui and Mihail Caraman
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(4), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9040194

“Optical Forces on Chiral Particles: Science and Applications
by Weicheng Yi, Haiyang Huang, Chengxing Lai, Tao He, Zhanshan Wang, Xinhua Dai, Yuzhi Shi and Xinbin Cheng
Micromachines 2024, 15(10), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15101267

“Innovative Integration of Dual Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon Photonics Platform
by Dongbo Wang, Harindra Kumar Kannojia, Pierre Jouy, Etienne Giraud, Kaspar Suter, Richard Maulini, David Gachet, Léo Hetier, Geert Van Steenberge and Bart Kuyken
Micromachines 2024, 15(8), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15081055

“Extremely Weak Electro-Optic Kerr Effect in Methyl Silicone Oils
by Marek Izdebski, Rafał Ledzion and Szymon Węgrzynowski
Materials 2024, 17(8), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081850

“Estimating Compressive and Shear Forces at L5-S1: Exploring the Effects of Load Weight, Asymmetry, and Height Using Optical and Inertial Motion Capture Systems
by Iván Nail-Ulloa, Michael Zabala, Richard Sesek, Howard Chen, Mark C. Schall, Jr. and Sean Gallagher
Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061941

“A Review of Solar Forecasting Techniques and the Role of Artificial Intelligence
by Khadija Barhmi, Chris Heynen, Sara Golroodbari and Wilfried van Sark
Solar 2024, 4(1), 99-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4010005

“Pulp Particle Classification Based on Optical Fiber Analysis and Machine Learning Techniques”
by Stefan B. Lindström, Rabab Amjad, Elin Gåhlin, Linn Andersson, Marcus Kaarto, Kateryna Liubytska, Johan Persson, Jan-Erik Berg, Birgitta A. Engberg and Fritjof Nilsson
Fibers 2024, 12(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12010002

“A Review of State-of-the-Art and Short-Term Forecasting Models for Solar PV Power Generation”
by Wen-Chang Tsai, Chia-Sheng Tu, Chih-Ming Hong and Whei-Min Lin
Energies 2023, 16(14), 5436; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16145436

“Long-Cavity M-Plane GaN-Based Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers with a Topside Monolithic Curved Mirror
by Nathan C. Palmquist, Ryan Anderson, Jared A. Kearns, Joonho Back, Emily Trageser, Stephen Gee, Steven P. Denbaars and Shuji Nakamura
Photonics 2023, 10(6), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10060646

“Direct Fabrication of Ultrahydrophobic Laser-Induced Graphene for Strain Sensors”
by Devanarayanan Meena Narayana Menon, Matteo Giardino and Davide Janner
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 4935; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084935

“Photonic Crystals Fabricated by Two-Photon Polymerization with Mechanical Defects”
by Victoria Paige Stinson, Nuren Shuchi, Dustin Louisos, Micheal McLamb, Glenn D. Boreman and Tino Hofmann
Optics 2023, 4(2), 300-309; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt4020021

“Beyond Conventional Sensing: Hybrid Plasmonic Metasurfaces and Bound States in the Continuum”
by Dominic Bosomtwi and Viktoriia E. Babicheva
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071261

“Novel Approaches for High Speed Optical Communication
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Roger Dorsinville and Dr. Amin Malek
Submission deadline: 20 June 2025

“New Prospects in Fiber Optic Sensors and Applications
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Xingwei Wang and Dr. Xu Guo
Submission deadline: 25 June 2025

“Photonic Integrated Circuits for Information, Computing and Sensing
Guest Editors: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Dr. Liam O’Faolain and Dr. Simone Iadanza
Submission deadline: 30 June 2025

“Microrheology with Optical Tweezers
Guest Editor: Dr. Manlio Tassieri
Submission deadline: 30 June 2025

“Optical Composites, Nanophotonics and Metamaterials
Guest Editor: Dr. Hong Zhou
Submission deadline: 18 July 2025

“Recent Trends in Light-Assisted Reactions for CO2 Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals
Guest Editors: Dr. Antonietta Mancuso, Dr. Vincenzo Vaiano and Dr. Olga Sacco
Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

 

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.

Dr. Stephen Mora has an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in kinesiology and health science from York University, Canada. He started working at MDPI in May 2024 and is now the Managing Editor of IJOM, a newly transferred society journal published by MDPI. During his graduate studies and MDPI tenure, Stephen has gained extensive experience in attending conferences, meeting with scholars, and hosting online and in-person presentations.

12 May 2025
8th UN Global Road Safety Week, 12–18 May 2025


Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. They are the leading killer of young people aged 5–29 years. Globally, more than one of every four deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists.

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week offers an opportunity to spur action at national and local levels to make walking and cycling safe, by highlighting concrete and specific interventions that can be taken by different stakeholders: governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses, and schools.

MDPI believes these actions will help promote and facilitate a shift to walking and cycling, which are more healthy, green, sustainable, and economically advantageous modes of transport. This will also contribute, directly and indirectly, to the attainment of many Sustainable Development Goals. As a global enterprise, it is our duty to advance responsible practices that will ensure a bright future for our planet.

Advances in Traffic Congestion Prediction: An Overview of Emerging Techniques and Methods
by Aristeidis Mystakidis, Paraskevas Koukaras and Christos Tjortjis
Smart Cities 2025, 8(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8010025

Advancing Road Safety: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Object Detection Models for Commercial Driver Monitoring Systems
by Huma Zia, Imtiaz ul Hassan, Muhammad Khurram, Nicholas Harris, Fatima Shah and Nimra Imran
Future Transp. 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5010002

Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Characterization of Pervious Concrete Incorporating Polypropylene Fibers and Fly Ash/Silica Fume
by Hassan Bilal, Xiaojian Gao, Liborio Cavaleri, Alamgir Khan and Miao Ren
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110456

Spatial Cluster Analysis of the Social Determinants of Health and Fatal Crashes Involving US Geriatric and Non-Geriatric Road Users
by Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Charles DiMaggio, Corita Grudzen, Sanjit Konda, Erin Rogers, Saul Blecker, JohnRoss Rizzo and Joshua Chodosh
Trauma Care 2024, 4(4), 266–281; https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare4040023

Impact of Mixed-Vehicle Environment on Speed Disparity as a Measure of Safety on Horizontal Curves
by Tahmina Sultana and Yasser Hassan
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(10), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15100456

Enhancing Road Safety Strategies through Applying Combined Treatments for Different Crash Severity
by Mohammad Nour Al-Marafi, Taqwa I. Alhadidi, Mohammad Alhawamdeh and Ahmed Jaber
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030109

Safety Impact Prediction of Redesigning National Roads Crossing Residential Areas: An Italian Case Study
by Maurizio Crispino, Kevin Camozzi, Misagh Ketabdari, Arianna Antoniazzi and Emanuele Toraldo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 4984; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14124984

An Overview of the Efficiency of Roundabouts: Design Aspects and Contribution toward Safer Vehicle Movement
by Konstantinos Gkyrtis and Alexandros Kokkalis
Vehicles 2024, 6(1), 433–449; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles6010019

Properties and Characterization Techniques of Graphene Modified Asphalt Binders
by Rodrigo Polo-Mendoza, Tatiana Navarro-Donado, Daniela Ortega-Martinez, Emilio Turbay, Gilberto Martinez-Arguelles and Rita Peñabaena-Niebles
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(5), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13050955

Reconstruction of Asphalt Pavements with Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Mixture in Cold Region: Material Characterization, Construction, and Performance
by Dongzhao Jin, Dongdong Ge, Jiaqing Wang, Lance Malburg and Zhanping You
Materials 2023, 16(5), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16051874

Vehicle Dynamics and Control: Advanced Mobility Technologies and Transportation Safety
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Nadir Yilmaz
Submission deadline: 20 September 2025

Advanced Road Materials and Pavement Engineering: Design, Structure, Performance and Characterization
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Shihui Shen
Submission deadline: 20 October 2025

Vehicle Safe Motion in Mixed Vehicle Technologies Environment
Guest Editors: Dr. Stergios Mavromatis, Prof. Dr. Yasser Hassan and Prof. Dr. George Yannis
Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Evolution: Technological, Social and Environmental Perspectives
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Luigi dell’Olio, Dr. Andres Rodriguez and Dr. Silvia SIpone
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Innovative Transportation Systems: Shaping Smart and Sustainable Urban Mobility
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Maria Nadia Postorino and Dr. Caterina Malandri
Submission deadline: 31 January 2026

 

Eng. Proc., 2024, SMTS 2024

The Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Symposium 2024

Győr, Hungary | 14–16 October 2024

Volume Editors:
András Lajos Nagy, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
Boglárka Eisinger Balassa, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
László Lendvai, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
Szabolcs Kocsis-Szürke, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
Gábor Dogossy, Széchenyi István University, Hungary
Ferenc Szauter, Széchenyi István University, Hungary

Full list of the conference proceedings

8 May 2025
Meet Us at the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE), 22–27 June 2025, Vancouver, Canada


Conference:
44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE)
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Location: Vancouver, Canada

MDPI will attend the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

The 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) is organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

OMAE is where researchers present new advances in offshore and ship structures, reliable production methods, ocean engineering technology, and arctic sciences. And recently, OMAE has expanded to highlight research on offshore wind and solar energy, digitalization in key offshore operations, incorporation of advanced analytical techniques, and successful implementation of new technologies in the field.

Topics include the following:

  • Structural Reliability;
  • Materials Technology;
  • Offshore Wind;
  • Carbon Capture and Storage;
  • Hydrogen Storage and Transport;
  • Climate Change Impacts;
  • Sustainable Solutions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #5 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://event.asme.org/OMAE.

8 May 2025
Meet Us at the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, 8–12 June 2025, Hangzhou, China


Conference: IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation
Date: 8–12 June 2025
Place: Hangzhou, China

MDPI will be attending the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Hangzhou, China, from 8 to 12 June 2025.

The annual IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation is a world-class event in the field of Evolutionary Computation. It provides a forum to bring together researchers and practitioners from all over the world to present and discuss their research findings on evolutionary computation. Topics include the following: algorithms, machine learning for optimization and evolutionary learning, optimization, related topics and theory.

The following open access journals will be represented:

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.cec2025.org/.

6 May 2025
Meet Us Online at the 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, 9–11 December 2025


Conference:
The 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences

Date: 9–11 December 2025

Conference website: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025

This conference is organized by the MDPI journal Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417; Impact Factor: 2.5) and will take place virtually from 9 to 11 December 2025 (Central European Time).

Conference Chairs:

  • Prof. Dr. Nunzio Cennamo, Professor of Electronics at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy;
  • Dr. Stefano Toldo, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.

Topics of Interest:

  1. Applied biosciences and bioengineering;
  2. Nanosciences, chemistry and materials science;
  3. Computing and artificial intelligence;
  4. Electrical, electronics and communications engineering;
  5. Mechanical and aerospace engineering;
  6. Energy, environmental and earth science;
  7. Food science and technology;
  8. Applied physical science.

Important Dates:

Deadline for abstract submission: 25 July 2025;
Abstract acceptance notification: 22 September 2025;
Registration deadline: 5 December 2025.

Guide for Authors:

To submit your abstract, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1346.

To register for the event for free, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact asec2025@mdpi.com. We look forward to seeing you at the 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences.

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.
Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

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