Announcements

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.

27 June 2025
Automation | Special Issue Mentor Program


We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative—the Special Issue Mentor Program.

This program intends to provide an opportunity for early career scientists to enhance their editing, networking, and organizational skills and to work closely with our journal to gain editorial experience. Early career researchers with novel ideas for Special Issues in Automation (ISSN: 2673-4052) will act as Guest Editors, working under the mentorship of an experienced researcher; the mentor can be a member of the Automation Editorial Board or a senior researcher from the broader research community.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please prepare a Special Issue proposal and send it to the Automation Editorial Office (automation@mdpi.com), and we will consider your proposal. We will then provide you with feedback, addressing the issues of mentor selection, collaboration, and a feasibility analysis of the Special Issue topic. Upon closure of the Special Issue, our office will provide certificates to both the Guest Editors and their mentors. In addition, early career researchers who participate in this program will be prioritized as candidates for our journal award.

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, Automation will continue, as usual, to welcome all Special Issue proposals based on current research topics in the field.

26 June 2025
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation Control

Mechanical manufacturing and automation control is a multidisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering with automation technologies, like robotics, computer-controlled machinery, and industrial control systems to design, produce, and optimize manufacturing processes to support modern smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 advancements.

MDPI’s cluster of mechanical manufacturing and automation control aims to publish cutting-edge research in the field of aerospace, automation, drones, machinery, manufacturing, robotics, and advanced technologies, including integrated AI, IoT, and advanced control systems. These journals will collaborate to offer the scientific community the latest research advances and discoveries within the field of automation, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, robotics, and aerospace technologies.

The seven participating journals include the following:

  • Aerospace (ISSN: 2226-4310) is devoted to publishing research in all fields of aerospace science, engineering, and technology. It presents theoretical, fundamental, and applied results with potential applications related to the research, design, manufacture, operation, control, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. The journal is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Kontis (University Avenue, UK);
  • Automation (ISSN: 2673-4052) provides a venue for both specialized and multidisciplinary research in automation, control, and their applications. The journal emphasizes topics such as control theory and methods, automation in energy systems, industrial automation and process control, intelligent control and machine learning, robotics, and autonomous systems, as well as smart transportation and autonomous vehicles. Automation is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Eyad H. Abed (University of Maryland, USA);
  • Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) focuses on the design and applications of drones, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs), etc. Likewise, contributions based on unmanned marine/water/underwater drones, unmanned ground vehicles, fully autonomous driving, and space drones are also welcome. The journal is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Diego González-Aguilera (University of Salamanca, Spain);
  • Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing (JMMP, ISSN: 2504-4494) aims to publish state of the art knowledge in the fields of processes, equipment, systems, and materials in relation to materials processing and manufacturing. It offers an online platform facilitating effective exchange of innovative scientific and engineering ideas and the dissemination of recent, original, and significant research and developmental findings. JMMP is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Steven Y. Liang (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA);
  • Machines (ISSN: 2075-1702) is an integrative effort to explore the specialized and multidisciplinary research on machinery and engineering, including machines design and theory, machines testing and maintenance, condition monitoring and diagnostics, electrical machines and drives, robotics and intelligent machines, automation and control, vehicle engineering, electromechanical energy conversion systems, advanced manufacturing technologies, and tribology. Machines is led by Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Antonio J. Marques Cardoso (CISE - Electromechatronic Systems Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Portugal);
  • Robotics (ISSN: 2218-6581) aims to provide an international forum with which to report the latest developments on robotic systems in theory, design, and applications with special attention to autonomous behaviors, multi-sensor fusion, learning algorithms, system modeling, control software, smart actuators, service applications, and human–machine interactions. Special emphasis is given to technological innovations and real-world applications. Robotics is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Marco Ceccarelli (LARM: Laboratory of Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Cassino and South Latium, Cassino, Italy);
  • Technologies (ISSN: 2227-7080) provides an advanced forum for the latest in technological studies to both researchers and professionals. The journal emphasizes innovative technologies in areas such as mechanical manufacturing, automation control, robotics, smart manufacturing, industrial automation, as well as information technologies, materials science, etc. Technologies is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta (Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore).
Journal Launch Year Impact Factor
(2024)
CiteScore
(2024)
First Decision
(Median Days)
APC (CHF)
2014 2.1 4.0 21.3 2400
2020 2.0 4.1 24.1 1000
2017 4.8 7.4 19.2 2600
2017 3.3 5.2 16.5 1800
2013 2.5 4.7 15.5 2400
2012 3.3 7.7 21 1800
2013 3.6 8.5 21.1 1600

MDPI Mission and Values
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;

Timeliness and Efficiency—Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;

Simplicity—Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;

High Quality Service—Supporting scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net to make a positive impact on research;

Flexibility—Adapting and developing new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers.

Rooted in Sustainability—Ensuring long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics and Special Issues:

Selected Articles:
Aerospace
Re-Entry Comparison of a Spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit: Propulsion-Assisted vs. Non-Propulsive Configurations

Automation
Implementation of Digital Twin and Real Production System to Address Actual and Future Challenges in Assembly Technology

Drones
Novel Twist Morphing Aileron and Winglet Design for UAS Control and Performance

JMMP
Advancements in Additive Manufacturing for Copper-Based Alloys and Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Machines
Emotional Intelligence for the Decision-Making Process of Trajectories in Collaborative Robotics

Robotics
Human-Centric Robotic Solution for Motor and Gearbox Assembly: An Industry 5.0 Pilot Study

Technologies
Multi-Arm Trajectory Planning for Optimal Collision-Free Pick-and-Place Operations

23 June 2025
Automation Receives Its First Impact Factor of 2.0


We are pleased to share that Automation (ISSN: 2673-4052) has received its first Impact Factor of 2.0 in the Journal Citation Reports™ (ClarivateTM) in June 2025. The achievement follows the journal’s inclusion into the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) within the Web of Science Core Collection.

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations received in 2024 to all publications in the journal from 2022 and 2023 by the total number of citable publications from those same years.

To learn more, visit our journal statistics website for detailed metrics or check out our main IF announcement for general information.

The support and dedication of all the editors, reviewers, authors, and readers are an integral part of the journal’s performance. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to the journal.

23 June 2025
International Women in Engineering Day—“Together We Engineer”, 23 June 2025


International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. Established in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in the UK, this observance has become a vital platform for advancing diversity and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Together We Engineer” and Goal 5 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Gender Equality, MDPI emphasizes the power of collective action to break down gender barriers and foster a more inclusive engineering culture. In this era of both challenges and opportunities, women engineers are driving technological innovation in unprecedented ways—from sustainable development solutions to AI ethics frameworks, their contributions are fundamentally reshaping our industry.

Join us in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day and supporting initiatives that empower women in STEM. Together, we can build a future where engineering innovation thrives through diversity, and where every aspiring engineer has equal opportunities to shape our world.

Engineering

Actuators;
● Applied Sciences
;
Automation;
Biomimetics;
● 
Buildings;
● 
Eng;
● 
Lubricants;
● 
Machines;
● 
Micromachines;
● 
Processes;
● 
Sensors.

Chemistry & Materials Science

Applied Nano;
● 
C;
● 
Coatings;
● 
JFB;
● 
JMMP;
● 
Materials;
● 
Metals;
● 
Nanomaterials.

Computer Science & Mathematics

Software.

Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities

Challenges;
Education Sciences.

Session 1: Breaking Barriers as Rising Stars Session 2: Legacy Building Through Inclusive Leadership
Date: 23 June 2025, 11:00 a.m. (CEST)
Webinar ID: 834 2423 4697
Free to register for this webinar here!
Date: 23 June 2025, 4:00 p.m. (CEST)
Webinar ID: 835 3354 6710
Free to register for this webinar here!

We are pleased to announce that the first Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering.

Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025.

Prize:

  • CHF 1000;
  • An electronic certificate;
  • A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

For more details about the award, please visit here. Please feel free to send the nomination letter to ywe-award@mdpi.com.

We are honored to interview several outstanding female scholars in engineering field to share their research journey and your insight into being a female engineer.

Name: Dr. Teresa Donateo
Affiliation: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy

“Female engineers often bring a unique set of strengths to academic research, shaped by their life experiences and the challenges they routinely navigate. One particularly valuable strength is the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, a skill frequently sharpened through balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, such as motherhood.”

Please read the full interview here.

Name: Dr. Jelena Svorcan
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia

“Females are generally very responsible, well organized, do not do everything at the last minute, and can very successfully deal with particular, tedious tasks. They perform well under pressure and are great as team leaders and teachers since they engage more with the younger colleagues, but can also be strict when necessary.”

Please read the full interview here.

Name: Dr. Yong Wei Tiong
Affiliations: 1 Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
2 Singapore Integrative Biosystems and Engineering Research (SIBER), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore

“Female engineers often bring a collaborative, systems-oriented mindset that’s well-suited for complex interdisciplinary problems. They tend to approach problem-solving holistically and with strong communication skills, qualities essential for cross-functional research.”

Please read the full interview here.

Artificial Intelligence for Non-Destructive Imaging in Composite Materials
by Mine Seckin, Pinar Demircioglu, Ahmet Cagdas Seckin, Ismail Bogrekci and Serra Aksoy
Eng 2025, 6(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6030046

Disassembly Plan Representation by Hypergraph
by Abboy Verkuilen, Mirjam Zijderveld, Niels de Buck and Jenny Coenen
Automation 2025, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation6010010

Probing Solid-Binding Peptide Self-Assembly Kinetics Using a Frequency Response Cooperativity Model
by Taylor Bader, Kyle Boone, Chris Johnson, Cindy L. Berrie and Candan Tamerler
Biomimetics 2025, 10(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10020107

Fast Multi-Distance Time-Domain NIRS and DCS System for Clinical Applications
by Marco Nabacino, Caterina Amendola, Davide Contini, Rebecca Re, Lorenzo Spinelli and Alessandro Torricelli
Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7375; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227375

Understanding the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Core Designs on Controlling Bandgaps and Wave Directionality in Cement
by Nanziri Esther Kayondo and Shreya Vemuganti
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1811–1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030096

On the Importance of Solar Radiation and Shading for the Alkali–Aggregate Reaction Prediction of Concrete Arch Dams
by Noemi Schclar Leitão
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1673–1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030088

Label- and Reagent-Free Optical Sensor for Absorption-Based Detection of Urea Concentration in Water Solutions
by Carlo Anelli, Vanessa Pellicorio, Valentina Bello and Sabina Merlo
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092754

Electromechanical Actuator-Based Solution for a Scissor Lift
by Łukasz Stawiński, Viacheslav Zakharov, Andrzej Kosucki and Tatiana Minav
Actuators 2023, 12(10), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/act12100394

A Synthesis-Based Stateful Approach for Guiding Design Thinking in Embedded System Development
by Hung-Fu Chang and Supannika Koolmanojwong Mobasser
Software 2023, 2(3), 332–349; https://doi.org/10.3390/software2030016

Special Issues:

New Technologies for Sensors Recent Advances in Compliant Mechanisms
Advanced Sensors and Signal Processing for Psychophysiological Monitoring Digital Twins for Sustainable Industrial Processes
Micro-/Nanofluidic and Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Biomedical Applications, 3rd Edition Emerging Trends in Materials Engineering for Clean Energy Applications

Effect of Heat Treatment on Polymorphism and Particle Size Distribution of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticle Synthesized via Mechanochemical Process
by Md Nuruzzaman, Yanju Liu, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Saifullah Omar Nasif and Ravi Naidu
Appl. Nano 2025, 6(2), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6020008

Skin Sensitization Potential of Sensitizers in the Presence of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro
by Claudia Meindl, Kristin Öhlinger, Verena Zrim, Jennifer Ober, Ramona Jeitler, Eva Roblegg and Eleonore Fröhlich
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221811

Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheets Derived from Cathodic Exfoliation for Lithium Storage Applications
by Alberto Martínez-Jódar, Silvia Villar-Rodil, José M. Munuera, Alberto Castro-Muñiz, Jonathan N. Coleman, Encarnación Raymundo-Piñero and Juan I. Paredes
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(11), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110932

Gold Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric and Fluorescent Dual-Mode Lateral Flow Immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 Detection
by Ying Gan, Hefan Zhang, Jing Liu, Fuqin He, Fengheng Li, Ao Li, Man Xing, Dongming Zhou, Shan-Yu Fung and Hong Yang
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15030058

Examining the Impact of Intermediate Cooling on Mechanical Properties of 22MnB5 in a Tailored Tempering Process
by Alborz Reihani, Sebastian Heibel, Thomas Schweiker and Marion Merklein
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8010005

Investigating the Effect of Interface Temperature on Molecular Interdiffusion during Laser Transmission Welding of 3D-Printed Composite Parts
by Anh-Duc Le, André Chateau Akué Asséko, Benoît Cosson and Patricia Krawczak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186121

Synthesis, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Biocompatibility of Multi-Component Collagen-Based Hydrogels Developed by E-Beam Irradiation
by Maria Demeter, Andreea Mariana Negrescu, Ion Calina, Anca Scarisoreanu, Mădălina Albu Kaya, Marin Micutz, Marius Dumitru and Anisoara Cimpean
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14090454

A Modelling-Based Framework for Carbon Emissions Calculation in Additive Manufacturing: A Stereolithography Case Study
by Vasiliki C. Panagiotopoulou, Aikaterini Paraskevopoulou and Panagiotis Stavropoulos
Processes 2023, 11(9), 2574; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092574

Natural Polyphenols and the Corrosion Protection of Steel: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives for Green and Promising Strategies
by Rossella Sesia, Silvia Spriano, Marco Sangermano and Sara Ferraris
Metals 2023, 13(6), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13061070

Special Issues:

Recent Developments in Friction Stir Welding Technology and Applications Women’s Special Issue Series: Functional Biomaterials (2nd Edition)
Healthy and Affordable Zero-Emission Buildings: A Challenge for the Near Future Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Biomimetic Surfaces and Interfaces 2025
Advanced Materials and Processing Technologies The 15th Anniversary of Nanomaterials—Women in Nanomaterials

20 June 2025
Young Women in Engineering Award—Open for Nominations


We are pleased to announce that the Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering. All the nominations will be assessed by an Award Evaluation Committee, and winners will be announced online on 8 March 2026.

Prizes:

  • CHF 1000;
  • An electronic certificate;
  • A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

Number of winners: 2.

Eligibility and requirements:

  • This role is designated for female candidates;
  • Must have received their Ph.D. no more than 10 years prior to 31 December 2025;
  • Must have produced groundbreaking research and made a significant contribution to the advancement of engineering;
  • Must be nominated by senior scientists.

List of documents for nomination:

  • Detailed curriculum vitae, including an updated publication list and a list of the researcher’s own research grants;
  • Scanned copy of doctorate certificate;
  • Signed nomination letters from two established senior scientists.

Schedule:

Open for nominations: 23 June 2025;
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025;
Winner announcement: 8 March 2026.

Nominations and contact:

All nomination materials and award-related communications must be submitted via our official email: ywe-award@mdpi.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Young Women in Engineering Award Team

11 June 2025
Automation Receives an Increased CiteScore of 4.1


We are pleased to share that Automation (ISSN: 2673-4052) has received an increased CiteScore of 4.1 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 84 out of 264 titles (Q2) in the “Engineering (miscellaneous)” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 6.

You can find more statistics on our website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/automation/stats.

The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Automation and its growing impact in automation and control systems.

3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence

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

Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)

In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

Creating a space for exchange of views

The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.

Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.

Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain

The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.


Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:

  • MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
  • Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
  • Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)

We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.


MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).

A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!

Upcoming MDPI Summit events:

  • Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
  • US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
  • France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
  • US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
  • UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
  • Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
  • Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
    ...with more in between, and more to follow.

Impactful Research

50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex

Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.

I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.

“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”

Discoverability and reach

Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.

You can read our full announcement here.

Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.

Inside MDPI

 

One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office

On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.

A few highlights from the past year


Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)

Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.

In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.

The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.

The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.

“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”

Growth plans

Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.

Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.

Coming Together for Science

Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)

We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.

MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures

  • With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
  • In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
  • The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
  • Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
  • Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
  • In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
  • 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
  • MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.

The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome


Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.

The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.


Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Event Agenda – 27 May

Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:

  • MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
  • Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia


Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.

Closing Thoughts

Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing

A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.

As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.

Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.

MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

22 May 2025
Meet Us at the 2025 American Control Conference, 8–10 July 2025, Denver, USA


MDPI will be attending the 2025 American Control Conference (ACC) in Denver, USA, which will take place from 8 to 10 July 2025. The ACC is hosted annually by the American Automatic Control Council (AACC), the U.S. national member organization of the International Federation for Automatic Control (IFAC). The conference has numerous national and international society co-sponsors, including the following: the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); IEEE Control Systems Society (IEEE-CSS); Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS); International Society of Automation (ISA); Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS); and Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics (SIAM).

The following open access journals will be represented:

If you are attending the conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://acc2025.a2c2.org/.

16 May 2025
Meet Us at the CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 International Congress, 25–28 May 2025, Montreal, Canada


MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 International Congress, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, from 25 to 28 May 2025.

Organized jointly by the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME), the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC) and the Canadian Society of Rheology (CSR), CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 will provide exciting opportunities for collaboration and insight into mechanical engineering, CFD and rheology communities both in Canada and abroad.

The conference will focus on the following topics:

  • Advanced Energy Systems;
  • Advanced Manufacturing;
  • Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering;
  • Computational Mechanics;
  • Engineering Analysis and Design;
  • Environmental Engineering;
  • Fluid Mechanics;
  • Machines & Mechanisms;
  • Materials Technology;
  • Mechatronics, Robotics & Controls;
  • Microtechnology & Nanotechnology;
  • Smart Production Systems;
  • Solid Mechanics;
  • Sustainable Practices in Engineering;
  • Thermal Science & Engineering;
  • Transportation Systems;
  • Hydraulic Turbines;
  • Computational Methods & Model Development;
  • Canonical Flows, Flow Physics & Turbulence;
  • Compressible & Multiphysics Flows;
  • Applications of CFD;
  • Theoretical & Computational Rheology, Rheometry;
  • Applied Rheology.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

Discover how MDPI can support your research and academic goals. Our team will be at the booth to discuss MDPI’s submission process, editorial support, and the benefits of open access publishing. Plus, enjoy exciting gifts and exclusive resources available only at our booth!

If you are planning to attend the conference, we would love to connect with you! Our delegates are eager to meet you in person and answer any questions you may have. For more details about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.csmecongress.org/. We look forward to seeing you there!

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