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.

16 June 2025
Meet Us at the International Symposium for Paediatric Pain (ISPP 2025), 17–20 June 2025, Glasgow, UK


MDPI will be attending the International Symposium for Paediatric Pain, which will be held from 17 to 20 June 2025 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, UK.

ISPP 2025 is the leading international and interdisciplinary conference dedicated to the study of pain in infants, children, and adolescents. It draws a global audience comprising paediatricians, anaesthetists, clinicians, researchers, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and professionals from voluntary and community organizations, as well as scholars across various disciplines. Attendees convene to present recent advancements in research and engage in discussions on novel approaches to the management of acute and procedural pain, including pain associated with disease, neuropathic pain, and chronic pain within the context of paediatric medicine.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate 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 website: https://ispp2025.com/.

13 June 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI Scientific Publishing Workshop with the Medical University of Silesia, Poland, 16 June 2025

MDPI is excited to host a scientific publishing workshop in partnership with the Medical University of Silesia, Poland. This collaboration reflects MDPI’s and the Medical University of Silesia’s shared commitment to academic research and scholarly publishing. The session will provide valuable guidance to students on how to structure and write academic articles, offering essential tools and knowledge to support their publishing journeys. The session will cover topics such as “How to Structure an Article” and “How to Write Academic Articles in English”.

Project Name Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI—Scientific Publishing Workshop with the Medical University of Silesia
Date and Time (local Time) 16 June 2025; 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (CEST)
Online /Offline Online
Venue Microsoft Teams
Institution Medical University of Silesia
Institution Banner
Schedule:
Speakers Program and Content Time
  Opening Speech 10:00–10:05 (CEST)
Mr. Marcin Biedroń How to Write Academic Articles in English? 10:05–10:25 (CEST)
  Q&A Session 10:25–10:35 (CEST)
Mr. Marcin Biedroń How to Structure an Article? 10:35–10:55 (CEST)
  Q&A Session 10:55–11:00 (CEST)
Mr. Marcin Biedroń Submissions to SCIE Journals. 11:00–11:05 (CEST)
nbsp; Q&A Session 11:05–11:10 (CEST)
Ms. Monika Mazurek Why Are Articles Rejected in Peer-Review? The Most Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them. 11:10–11:40 (CEST)
  Q&A Session 11:40–11:45 (CEST)
Ms. Monika Mazurek How to Respond to Reviewers? 11:45–12:15 (CEST)
  Q&A Session 12:15–12:20 (CEST)
Ms. Monika Mazurek Introduction to MDPI 12:20–12:30 (CEST)
  Q&A Session 12:30–12:35 (CEST)
  Event Wrap-Up 12:35–13:00 (CEST)
 

MDPI Speakers:

Mr. Marcin Biedroń

Mr. Marcin Biedroń holds an M.Sc. Eng. degree in dietetics from the Faculty of Food Technology and Human Nutrition at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. He joined MDPI in October 2021 as an Assistant Editor for the Diagnostics journal. Since then, he has progressed through several roles including Section Managing Editor and was appointed Journal Relationship Specialist in 2024. Over the past year, he has contributed to four medical journals, collaborating closely with editors, authors, and reviewers throughout the publication process. He is currently focused on enhancing the journals’ social media presence, coordinating meetings with researchers and editorial boards and representing the publishing house at international conferences across Europe.

Ms. Monika Mazurek

Ms. Monika Mazurek holds a master's degree in psychology (clinical psychology and neuroscience) from SWPS University in Warsaw. After starting her Ph.D. at Jagiellonian University, she is pursuing her clinical degree in Psychotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College. She joined MDPI in March 2021 as an Assistant Editor for the journal Brain Sciences and became Section Managing Editor the next year. Since 2022, she has been working as a Journal Relations Specialist for several journals, including Allergies, Endocrines, Advances in Respiratory Medicine and Brain Sciences. She participated in many international congresses dedicated to medical and health sciences.

13 June 2025
Children | Highly Cited Papers Published in 2023–2024 in the “Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine” Section


Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is an international, open access journal dedicated to the streamlined yet scientifically rigorous dissemination of peer-reviewed science related to childhood health and disease. More information about the journal is available at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children.

We are delighted to share some of the highly cited papers that were published in Children in the Section “Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine” Section.

1. “The Diagnosis and Management of Infraoccluded Deciduous Molars: A Systematic Review”
by Gianna Dipalma, Alessio Danilo Inchingolo, Lucia Memè , Lucia Casamassima, Claudio Carone, Giuseppina Malcangi, Francesco Inchingolo, Andrea Palermo and Angelo Michele Inchingolo 
Children 2024, 11(11), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111375
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1375

2. “Comparison of Different Types of Palatal Expanders: Scoping Review”
by Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Assunta Patano, Matteo De Santis, Gaetano Del Vecchio, Laura Ferrante, Roberta Morolla, Carmela Pezzolla, Roberta Sardano, Leonardo Dongiovanni, Francesco Inchingolo et al.
Children 2023, 10(7), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071258
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/7/1258

3. “Orthodontic Retainers—A Critical Review”
by Ioannis Lyros, Ioannis A. Tsolakis, Michael P. Maroulakos, Eleni Fora, Theodoros Lykogeorgos, Maria Dalampira and Apostolos I. Tsolakis
Children 2023, 10(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020230
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/230

4. “Five-Year Follow-Up of a Child with Non-Syndromic Oligodontia from before the Primary Dentition Stage: A Case Report”
by Tatsuya Akitomo, Satoru Kusaka, Yuko Iwamoto, Momoko Usuda, Mariko Kametani, Yuria Asao, Masashi Nakano, Meiko Tachikake, Chieko Mitsuhata and Ryota Nomura
Children 2023, 10(4), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040717
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/4/717

5. “Managing Dental Phobia in Children with the Use of Virtual Reality: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature”
by Alessio Rosa, Alberto Maria Pujia, Raffaella Docimo and Claudio Arcuri
Children 2023, 10(11), 1763; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111763
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/11/1763

You can read other high-quality Editor’s Choice Articles via the link here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/editors_choice.

You can submit your next manuscript to Children via the link here and choose a suitable Section: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections.

We look forward to receiving your excellent articles.

Children Editorial Office

12 June 2025
International Albinism Awareness Day—“Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives”, 13 June 2025


International Albinism Awareness Day 2025 underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, preventive care, and accessible healthcare for people with albinism. This year’s theme highlights the life-threatening impact of skin cancer among individuals with albinism and reinforces the importance of sun protection, early detection, and timely treatment.

Albinism is a rare, inherited genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism typically have very light skin and hair, alongside various vision impairments. While it is not contagious and does not affect intelligence, albinism is often misunderstood. This leads to stigmatization, discrimination, and even human rights violations in some regions where harmful myths persist.

Because they have little to no melanin, individuals with albinism are especially vulnerable to sun damage and face a significantly increased risk of developing skin cancer. Addressing this requires more than just clinical intervention—it calls for integrated healthcare policies and inclusive social systems that acknowledge both the medical and socio-political dimensions of the condition.

In recognition of this global observance, we invite you to explore a curated collection of articles and Special Issues from selected MDPI journals, including Biomedicines, Cancers, Children, Diagnostics, Genes, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Clinical Medicine and Molecules. These open-access resources provide critical insights into the diagnosis, management, and complications of albinism, and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and advocacy groups.

Together, through science, education, and empathy, we can foster a more inclusive world where people with albinism live free from discrimination and with access to the care they deserve.

Can a Portable Flash Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) Device Identify Chiasmal Decussation Anomalies in Albinism?
by Eloise Keeling, Perry Carter, Abdi Malik Musa, Fatima Shawkat, Helena Lee and Jay E. Self
Diagnostics 2025, 15(11), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15111395

Common Variants in the TYR Gene with Unclear Pathogenicity as the Cause of Oculocutaneous Albinism in a Cohort of Russian Patients
by Olga Shchagina, Anna Stepanova, Polina Mishakova, Vitaliy Kadyshev, Nina Demina, Ludmila Bessonova, Sofya Ionova, Daria Guseva, Andrey Marakhonov, Rena Zinchenko et al.
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102234

Functional Characterization of Splice Variants in the Diagnosis of Albinism
by Modibo Diallo, Cécile Courdier, Elina Mercier, Angèle Sequeira, Alicia Defay-Stinat, Claudio Plaisant, Shahram Mesdaghi, Daniel Rigden, Sophie Javerzat, Eulalie Lasseaux et al.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168657

Genetic Linkage between CAPN5 and TYR Variants in the Context of Albinism and Autosomal Dominant Neovascular Inflammatory Vitreoretinopathy Absence: A Case Report
by Mirjana Bjeloš, Ana Ćurić, Mladen Bušić, Benedict Rak and Biljana Kuzmanović Elabjer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126442

Missing Heritability in Albinism: Deep Characterization of a Hungarian Albinism Cohort Raises the Possibility of the Digenic Genetic Background of the Disease
by Nikoletta Nagy, Margit Pal, Jozsef Kun, Bence Galik, Peter Urban, Marta Medvecz, Beata Fabos, Alexandra Neller, Aliasgari Abdolreza, Judit Danis, Viktoria Szabo, Zhuo Yang, Stefanie Fenske, Martin Biel, Attila Gyenesei, Eva Adam and Marta Szell
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021271

Does Foveal Hypoplasia Affect Emmetropization in Patients with Albinism?
by Line Kessel, Christine Dahlgren Bohnsack Kjølholm and Joaquim Torner Jordana
Children 2023, 10(12), 1910; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121910

Vision-Related Quality of Life in Danish Patients with Albinism and the Impact of an Updated Optical Rehabilitation
by Kristian Lisbjerg, Joaquim Torner Jordana, Vibeke N. Brandt, Christine Kjølholm and Line Kessel
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(17), 5451; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175451

Skin Pigmentation Types, Causes and Treatment—A Review
by Amin Mahmood Thawabteh, Alaa Jibreen, Donia Karaman, Alà Thawabteh and Rafik Karaman
Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4839; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124839

Report of Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome in Two Families with Novel Variants in HPS3 and HPS4 Genes
by Sadeeda Qaiser Zaman, Muhammad Anas, Gauhar Rehman, Qadeem Khan, Aiman Iftikhar, Mashal Ahmad, Muhammad Owais, Ilyas Ahmad, Osama Yousef Muthaffar, Angham Abdulrhman Abdulkareem et al.
Genes 2023, 14(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010145

Diagnostic Yield of Genetic Testing for Ocular and Oculocutaneous Albinism in a Diverse United States Pediatric Population
by Kyle S. Chan, Brenda L. Bohnsack, Alexander Ing, Andy Drackley, Valerie Castelluccio, Kevin X. Zhang, Hanta Ralay-Ranaivo and Jennifer L. Rossen
Genes 2023, 14(1), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010135

More than Skin Deep—Latest Advances in Congenital and Autoimmune Pigmentation Disorders
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Reinhart M. Speeckaert
Submission deadline: 25 August 2025
Melanin Pigmentation: Physiology and Pathology
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Shosuke Ito and Prof. Dr. Manickam Sugumaran
Submission deadline: 20 October 2025

10 June 2025
Children Receives an Increased CiteScore of 3.8


We are pleased to share that Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) has received an increased CiteScore of 3.8 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 95 out of 342 titles (Q2) in the “Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 12. 

You can find more statistics on https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/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 Children and its growing impact in children’s health.

3 June 2025
Children | Highly Cited Papers Published in 2023–2024 in the “Pediatric Neurology & Neurodevelopmental Disorders” Section


Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is an international, open access journal dedicated to the streamlined, yet scientifically rigorous dissemination of peer-reviewed science related to childhood health and disease. More information about the journal is available at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children.

We are delighted to share some of the highly cited papers that were published in Children in the Section “Pediatric Neurology & Neurodevelopmental Disorders”.

1. “Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Preeclampsia in Offspring: Review of the Literature”
by Sevasti Koulouraki, Vasileios Paschos, Panagiota Pervanidou, Panagiotis Christopoulos, Angeliki Gerede and Makarios Eleftheriades
Children 2023, 10(5), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050826
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/5/826

2. “Neuroactive Amino Acid Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from a Clinical Sample”
by Martina Randazzo, Adriana Prato, MariaAnna Messina, Concetta Meli, Antonino Casabona, Renata Rizzo and Rita Barone
Children 2023, 10(2), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020412
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/412

3. “Epilepsy Phenotypes of Vitamin B6-Dependent Diseases: An Updated Systematic Review”
by Mario Mastrangelo, Valentina Gasparri, Katerina Bernardi, Silvia Foglietta, Georgia Ramantani and Francesco Pisani
Children 2023, 10(3), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030553
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/3/553

4. “Treatment of High-Risk Neuroblastoma”
by Julie Krystal and Jennifer H. Foster
Children 2023, 10(8), 1302; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081302
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/8/1302

5. “Early Development of Spinal Deformities in Children Severely Affected with Spinal Muscular Atrophy after Gene Therapy with Onasemnogene Abeparvovec—Preliminary Results”
by Venla Soini, Gudrun Schreiber, Bernd Wilken and Anna Kathrin Hell
Children 2023, 10(6), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060998
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/6/998

6. “Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury: A Review”
by Natalia S. C. Cunha, Anahita Malvea, Sarah Sadat, George M. Ibrahim and Michael G. Fehlings
Children 2023, 10(9), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091456
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/9/1456

7. “Gastrointestinal Disorders and Food Selectivity: Relationship with Sleep and Challenging Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”
by Giulia Bresciani, Prisca Da Lozzo, Sara Lega, Matteo Bramuzzo, Grazia Di Leo, Andrea Dissegna, Vissia Colonna, Egidio Barbi, Marco Carrozzi and Raffaella Devescovi
Children 2023, 10(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020253
Available online:  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/253

8. “Affective Touch in Preterm Infant Development: Neurobiological Mechanisms and Implications for Child–Caregiver Attachment and Neonatal Care”
 by Valentina Lucia La Rosa, Alessandra Geraci, Alice Iacono and Elena Commodari
Children 2024, 11(11), 1407; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111407
Available online:  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1407

9. “Neurodevelopmental Disorders Associated with Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Children”
by Alejandro Borrego-Ruiz and Juan J. Borrego
Children 2024, 11(7), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11070796
Available online:  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/7/796

10. “Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Behavior Impairment: Comorbidity or Specific Profile?”
by Daniela Pia Rosaria Chieffo, Valentina Arcangeli, Federica Moriconi, Angelica Marfoli, Federica Lino, Sofia Vannuccini, Elisa Marconi, Ida Turrini, Claudia Brogna, Chiara Veredice et al.
Children 2023, 10(8), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081356
Available online:  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/8/1356

You can read other high-quality Editor’s Choice Articles via the link here: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/editors_choice.

You can submit your next manuscript to Children via the link here and choose a suitable Section: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections.

We look forward to receiving your articles.

Children Editorial Office

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

29 May 2025
Children | Highly Cited Papers Published in 2023–2024 in the “Pediatric Mental Health” Section


Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is an international, open access journal dedicated to the streamlined yet scientifically rigorous dissemination of peer-reviewed research related to childhood health and disease. For more information about the journal, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children.

We are delighted to share a selection of some of the most highly cited papers published in Children in the Section “Pediatric Mental Health” in 2023 and 2024.

1. “A Creative and Movement-Based Blended Intervention for Children in Outpatient Residential Care: A Mixed-Method, Multi-Center, Single-Arm Feasibility Trial”
by Susanne Birnkammer and Claudia Calvano
Children 2023, 10(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020207
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/207

2. “Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of Writing Readiness Inventory Tool in Context (WRITIC)”
by Paulo Delgado, Filipe Melo, Liesbeth de Vries, Margo Hartingsveldt and Ana Rita Matias
Children 2023, 10(3), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030559
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/3/559

3. “Social Media in Adolescents: A Retrospective Correlational Study on Addiction”
by Rebecca Ciacchini, Graziella Orrù, Elisa Cucurnia, Silvia Sabbatini, Francesca Scafuto, Alessandro Lazzarelli, Mario Miccoli, Angelo Gemignani and Ciro Conversano
Children 2023, 10(2), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020278
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/278

4. “A Link between Parental Psychopathology and Preschool Depression: Take Care of Parents to Take Care of Children”
by Melania Martucci, Franca Aceti, Nicoletta Giacchetti, Veronica Scarselli and Carla Sogos
Children 2023, 10(1), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10010150
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/1/150

5. “Can Prior Sexual Abuse Explain Global Differences in Measured Self-Esteem in Male and Female Adolescents?”
by Alice Sawyerr and Chris Adam-Bagley
Children 2023, 10(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020276
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/2/276

6. “Treatment Effects of Introducing the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics in a Norwegian Residential Treatment Facility for Children Aged 7–13”
by Kaja Næss Johannessen, Ann-Karin Bakken, Erin P. Hambrick and Ole André Solbakken
Children 2024, 11(5), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11050503
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/5/503

7. “The Associations between Lifestyle Habits and Anxiety: A Prospective Study on Adolescents One Year after the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic”
by Laura Pedrini, Serena Meloni, Julia Dawson, Andrea Geviti, Natale Salvatore Bonfiglio, Anna Cattaneo and Anna Cattaneo
Children 2024, 11(3), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11030282
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/3/282

8. “Psychometric Properties of the Theory of Mind Task Battery (French Version) in Neurotypical Children and Intellectually Disabled Children”
by Nathalie Nader-Grosbois, Poline Simon, Emilie Jacobs and Marine Houssa
Children 2024, 11(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010079
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/79

9. “Disease Trends in Children and Adolescents in Japan: A Retrospective Observational Study Using the Nationwide Claims Data for 2012–2016”
by Maiko Suto, Kenji Takehara, Naho Morisaki, Akinori Moriichi, Ruoyan Gai and Rintaro Mori
Children 2024, 11(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010081
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/81

10. “How Do Children and Adolescents with ASD Look at Animals? A Scoping Review”
by Manon Toutain, Nicolas Dollion, Laurence Henry and Marine Grandgeorge
Children 2024, 11(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020211
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/2/211

To read other high-quality Editor’s Choice Articles, please visit the following website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/editors_choice.

To submit your next manuscript to Children, please visit the following website and choose a suitable section: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections.

We look forward to receiving your articles.

Children Editorial Office

28 May 2025
Children | Highly Cited Papers in 2023–2024 in the “Pediatric Radiology” Section


Children (ISSN: 2227-9067) is an international, open access journal dedicated to the streamlined yet scientifically rigorous dissemination of peer-reviewed research related to childhood health and disease. For more information about the journal, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children.

We are delighted to share a selection of some of the most highly cited papers published in Children in the Section “Pediatric Radiology” in 2023 and 2024:

1. “Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence-Based Computer-Aided Detection and Diagnosis in Pediatric Radiology: A Systematic Review”
by Curtise K. C. Ng
Children 2023, 10(3), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030525  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/3/525

2. “World-Renowned “Swiss” Pediatricians, Their Syndromes, and Matching Imaging Findings: A Historical Perspective”
by Laura M. Huisman and Thierry A. G. M. Huisman
Children 2023, 10(10), 1668; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101668
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/10/1668

3. “Sonothrombolysis: State-of-the-Art and Potential Applications in Children”
by Rebecca E. Ward, Santiago Martinez-Correa, Luis Octavio Tierradentro-García, Misun Hwang and Chandra M. Sehgal
Children 2024, 11(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010057  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/57

To read other high-quality Editor’s Choice Articles, please visit the following website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/editors_choice.

To submit your next manuscript to Children, please visit the following website and choose a suitable section: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/sections.

We look forward to receiving your excellent articles.

Children Editorial Office

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