Announcements

FEMS was established in 1974 and is now an active and diverse federation of 55 European learned societies that includes around 30,000 professionals who are committed to advancing microbiology for the benefit of society. Located in 38 European countries, around half of these professionals are early career researchers, and the remainder include industry scientists, established academics, educators and campaigners. The 10th FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists will take place in Hamburg, Germany, from 9 to 13 July 2023. This event is dedicated to showcasing the latest developments in microbiology and to connecting microbiologists from all over the world.

Main topics:

• Environmental Microbiology & Ecology;
• Biotechnology & Synthetic Microbiology; 
• Food Microbiology; 
• Infection Biology & Pathogens; 
• Infectious Diseases; 
• Taxonomy & Systematics;
• Genetics & Genomics;
• Virology;
• Microbiology Education & Profession;
• Molecular Microbiology & Biochemistry.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Microorganisms;
• Veterinary Sciences;
• Foods;
• MPs;
• CIMB;
• Diversity;
• Biology;
• Fermentation;
• Microbiology Research;
• JoF;
• Pathogens;
• Antibiotics;
• Biomolecules.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you at booth #B18 in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference and our virtual booth, please visit the following link: https://www.fems2023.org/.

1. “Roles of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Plant Growth and Performance: Importance in Biotic and Abiotic Stressed Regulation”
by Nathalie Diagne, Mariama Ngom, Pape Ibrahima Djighaly, Dioumacor Fall, Valérie Hocher and Sergio Svistoonoff
Diversity 2020, 12(10), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12100370
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/10/370

2. “Neural Network Recognition of Marine Benthos and Corals”
by Alina Raphael, Zvy Dubinsky, David Iluz and Nathan S. Netanyahu
Diversity 2020, 12(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12010029
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/1/29

3. “Monitoring of Plant Species and Communities on Coastal Cliffs: Is the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Suitable?”
by Sandro Strumia, Maurizio Buonanno, Giovanna Aronne, Antonio Santo and Annalisa Santangelo
Diversity 2020, 12(4), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12040149
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/4/149

4. “Spatial and Temporal Trends of Burnt Area in Angola: Implications for Natural Vegetation and Protected Area Management”
by Silvia Catarino, Maria Manuel Romeiras, Rui Figueira, Valentine Aubard, João M. N. Silva and José M.C. Pereira
Diversity 2020, 12(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12080307
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/8/307

5. “Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Bacteria from Mycorrhizal Tissues of Terrestrial Orchids from Southern Chile”
by Héctor Herrera, Tedy Sanhueza, Alžběta Novotná, Trevor C. Charles and Cesar Arriagada
Diversity 2020, 12(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12020055
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/2/55

6. “Why Is the Alpine Flora Comparatively Robust against Climatic Warming?”
by Christian Körner and Erika Hiltbrunner
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 383; https://doi.org/ 10.3390/d13080383
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/383

7. “Seeding Resilient Restoration: An Indicator System for the Analysis of Tree Seed Systems”
by Rachel J. Atkinson, Evert Thomas, Federico Roscioli, Jonathan P. Cornelius, Rene Zamora-Cristales, Maria Franco Chuaire, Carolina Alcázar, Francisco Mesén, Hariet Lopez, Roberto Ipinza et al.
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13080367
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/367

8. “Orchid Extinction over the Last 150 Years in the Czech Republic”
by Zuzana Štípková and Pavel Kindlmann
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020078
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/78

9. “Ethnolichenology—The Use of Lichens in the Himalayas and Southwestern Parts of China”
by Mei-Xia Yang, Shiva Devkota, Li-Song Wang and Christoph Scheidegger
Diversity 2021, 13(7), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13070330
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/7/330

10. “The Analysis of Italian Plant Agrobiodiversity Databases Reveals That Hilly and Sub-Mountain Areas Are Hotspots of Herbaceous Landraces”
by Luca Giupponi, Davide Pedrali, Valeria Leoni, Alessia Rodari and Annamaria Giorgi
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020070
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/70

We are pleased to announce the winner of the Diversity 2023 Young Investigator Award—Dr. Zhichao Zhou.

Dr. Zhichao Zhou is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA. Dr. Zhou’s research interests are in the metagenome- and metatranscriptome-based interpretations of biogeochemical functions and activities, environmental and energy dynamics mediated by microorganisms, microbial community interactions, the environmental microbiome, the virome, and population genomics. Dr. Zhou received his Ph.D. in 2017 and has an outstanding publication record, comprising 47 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. His Google Scholar citation number is 2147, and his H-index is 23. He is a rising star in the field of environmental microbiomes and viromes. As a single applicant, Dr. Zhou has obtained multiple awards, including the Lorus J. and Margery J. Milne Scholarship (2016, MBL Microbial Diversity Course), the third prize of Polar Science Excellent Paper (2012, State Oceanic Administration of China), and a University Postgraduate Fellowship (2012, the University of Hong Kong). These are outstanding achievements in today’s competitive environment.

We thank the award committee for their hard work in the difficult task of selecting a winner from such a large number of exceptional candidates. We also thank all the nominees from various fields for their participation. We will continue to reward young scientists with the Young Investigator Award, and wish them every success in their careers.

The following is an interview with Dr. Zhichao Zhou:

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I spent my childhood in a small town in central China and went on to study biology at Wuhan University. During my studies, I discovered a strong interest in microbiology and excelled in microbiology experiments. After completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued my graduate studies in Hong Kong, where I developed a range of molecular microbiological skills and gained experience in studying the molecular ecology of marine microbiology. I came to the United States before the pandemic and joined my current lab to study the marine microbiome and virome, especially focusing on the ecosystem of hydrothermal vents. In my free time, I enjoy riding my bicycle, listening to music, and exploring the woods. Furthermore, I am a big fan of brewed foods and drinks, such as beers, frozen yogurt, and chocolate, which are gifts from microorganisms to human beings.

2. What are you currently researching, and what made you choose this field?

3. Have you had difficulties to overcome in your work? How did you approach those situations?

There will always be difficulties in researching science since many originally planned attempts may not work. Sometimes, small mistakes will lead to a big problem and cause lots of energy and time to re-check the whole pipeline. Sometimes, debugging the script itself is also painful and tends to be very stressful. At these times, I first try to take a deep breath, calm down, and re-organize my thoughts. Then, for me, making a to-do list and detailed time plans is usually a way to overcome these tough problems or tedious issues. Breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps and maintaining focus on one step at a time can lead to a more effective approach to finally achieving the goal. During each step, confidence will be established, and I will be more skillful and familiar with the problem.

4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?

Persistence, diligence, good habits, and a clear mind.

5. We are an Open Access journal. How do you think Open Access impacts authors?

Open Access journals can allow all academic members to access the publications easily. They also tend to have a wide range of editors and reviewers, which leads to a more diverse and open-course peer-reviewing system. Now, many society journals have changed to full or partial Open Access. I think this will be the trend of the future.

6. As the winner of this award, is there anything else you would like to say or anyone you would like to thank?

I want to thank my Ph.D. advisor, Prof. Ji-Dong Gu, who initially encouraged me to apply for this award. He guided me to this field, offered me lots of opportunities to reach out, and is still my advisor on many issues even today. I express my special gratitude to him.

For more information about Diversity awards, please refer to the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diversity/awards.

The 2023 American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting (ASM Microbe 2023) will be held in Houston, USA, from 15 to 19 June 2023. This annual meeting is the largest gathering of microbiologists in the world, and it is expected that nearly 8,000 professionals from all over the world will attend the meeting. Founded in 1899, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is the oldest and largest single life science society in the world, consisting of more than 50,000 scientists and health professionals, of which more than one-third of the members are from countries and regions outside the United States. The mission of the American Society for Microbiology is to promote and advance the science of microbiology.

Topics include:

• Disaster Microbiology;
• Emerging Infections – What is the next pandemic? (Focus on Nipah and Marburg);
• Natural Product Discovery and Synthesis;
• Combating the Climate Crisis with Critters: Microbial Carbon Capture;
• Powering the Future: Applied Microbiology in the Energy Industry;
• Equity and Access in Laboratory Diagnostics;
• Microbiome Management in a Changing World.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Microorganisms;
• Journal of Fungi;
• Viruses;
• Applied Biosciences;
• MPs;
• IJMS;
• Vaccines;
• Fermentation;
• Diversity;
• Metabolites;
• Biomolecules;
• Antibiotics;
• Pathogens;
• Life.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you at booth number #2504 in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference and our virtual booth, please visit the following link: https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Home.

1. “Functional Diversity of Soil Nematodes in Relation to the Impact of Agriculture—A Review”
by Stela Lazarova, Danny Coyne, Mayra G. Rodríguez, Belkis Peteira and Aurelio Ciancio
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020064
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/64

2. “Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World’s Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae)”
by Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Minh D. Le, Suranjan Karunarathna, Siriwadee Chomdej, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Shuo Qi, Shuo Liu, Jing Che et al.
Diversity 2021, 13(5), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13050183
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/5/183

3. “The Current State of Eunicida (Annelida) Systematics and Biodiversity”
by Joana Zanol, Luis F. Carrera-Parra, Tatiana Menchini Steiner, Antonia Cecilia Z. Amaral, Helena Wiklund, Ascensão Ravara and Nataliya Budaeva
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020074
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/74

4. “Annelid Diversity: Historical Overview and Future Perspectives”
by María Capa and Pat Hutchings
Diversity 2021, 13(3), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13030129
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/3/129

5. “The Role of Carrion in the Landscapes of Fear and Disgust: A Review and Prospects”
by Marcos Moleón and José A. Sánchez-Zapata
Diversity 2021, 13(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13010028
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/1/28

6. “Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)”
by Paolo Pastorino, Marino Prearo, Alessia Di Blasio, Damià Barcelò, Serena Anselmi, Silvia Coluss, Silvia Alberti, Giovanni Tedde, Alessandro Dondo, Michele Ottino et al.
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/66

7. “Vibrio spp.: Life Strategies, Ecology, and Risks in a Changing Environment”
by Ana Sampaio, Vanessa Silva, Patrícia Poeta and Florin Aonofriesei
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020097
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/97

8. “Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm Snail Petaloconchus sp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean”
by Bert W. Hoeksema, Charlotte E. Harper, Sean J. Langdon-Down, Roel J. van der Schoot, Annabel Smith-Moorhouse, Roselle Spaargaren and Rosalie F. Timmerman
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030196
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/3/196

9. “Morphological Modifications and Injuries of Corals Caused by Symbiotic Feather Duster Worms (Sabellidae) in the Caribbean”
by Bert W. Hoeksema, Rosalie F. Timmerman, Roselle Spaargaren, Annabel Smith-Moorhouse, Roel J. van der Schoot, Sean J. Langdon-Down and Charlotte E. Harper
Diversity 2022, 14(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050332
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/5/332

10. “Traditional Food and Medicine: Ethno-Traditional Usage of Fish Fauna across the Valley of Kashmir: A Western Himalayan Region”
by Musheerul Hassan, Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Majeed, Muhammad Umair, Hakim Ali Sahito, Madeeha Shirani, Muhammad Waheed, Robina Aziz, Riyaz Ahmad, Rainer W. Bussmann et al.
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060455
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/455

As a leading open access publisher, MDPI provides scholars with a high-quality and rich academic exchange platform by continuously expanding into new and exciting research areas.

In December 2022, MDPI launched five new journals, covering multiple subjects such as life sciences, biology, medicine and pharmacology, social sciences and humanities. These new journals are being edited by established scholars across the world.

If you are interested in creating more open access journals with us to publish cutting-edge research, please send your journal proposal application to newjournal-committee@mdpi.com.

MDPI is pleased to announce that we now display the co-authors’ email addresses in addition to the corresponding author’s email address on the webpage of published papers, protected by Captcha. For more information about this change, please visit the journal’s instructions for authors page. 

We believe this change will facilitate academic discussions and advance our cause of open science and research. The corresponding authors are responsible for communicating with their co-authors and indicating in our system (https://susy.mdpi.com/) if co-authors would prefer for their email addresses not to be displayed.

On 9 February 2023, Clarivate, a global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics, added the Preprint Citation Index to the Web of Science platform, streamlining the research process by allowing researchers to locate and link to preprints alongside other trusted content in the database.

The Preprint Citation Index will act as a bridge to connect cutting-edge preprints with peer-reviewed journal articles published within the Web of Science Core Collection. Alerts can be easily set to monitor new research across several repositories and authors will also be able to include preprints on their Web of Science Research Profile to more accurately display their various research outputs.

As of its launch, the Preprint Citation Index will provide nearly two million preprints from various repositories, including MDPI’s own Preprints.org.

MDPI's Preprints Platform – Preprints.org

To advance Open Science and the fast dissemination of research, MDPI offers researchers a free multidisciplinary preprint platform. Preprints.org accepts submissions from all research areas and offers authors high visibility, permanent archiving, article-level Metrics and immediately citable content by assigning a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to all preprints.

During submission to any MDPI journal, authors have the option to share their research as a preprint. After an initial screening, the manuscript is available online in 48 hours or less. Once online, preprints can be downloaded, shared, commented on, and cited, providing authors maximum visibility.

We invite you to join the ranks of the over 100k researchers using Preprints.org and share your research.

For more information, please visit Preprints.org.

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

This program will enable early career researchers (who must hold a Ph.D. in a related field) to experience editing a Special Issue in MDPI journals, under the mentorship of our experienced Editorial Board Members or other experienced scientists. The mentor program will provide an excellent opportunity for early career scientists to gain editorial experience, and to cultivate their ability to edit scientific research.

The mentee’s responsibilities include:

• Proposing a Special Issue title and assisting the mentor in preparing a summary (around 200–400 words) and 3–10 keywords describing the background, importance, and goal of the Issue;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Preparing a list of scholars who may be interested in the Issue and personally e-mailing invitations on behalf of Guest Editors;
• Writing an editorial for the online Special Issue together with the mentor.

The mentor’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting a final check before the Special Issue is published online;
• Performing editorial control of the Special Issue and quality control of the publications, both of which must be carried out in a timely manner;
• Providing suggestions to younger scholars if they have any doubts or concerns regarding submissions;
• Organizing video calls with young scholars and the Editorial Office regularly to discuss problems and improvement suggestions for the Special Issue;
• Making and submitting decisions regarding submissions with the assistance of mentees.

Certificates and awards:
After the Special Issue closes, the Editorial Office will provide official certificates for all the mentors and early career researchers.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Editorial Office of a journal you choose, and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail. The full list of MDPI journals is as follows: https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals.

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, we will continue to welcome all Special Issue proposals focusing on hot research topics.

MDPI has just become the first open access (OA) publisher to reach the milestone of one million articles published. That is one million articles freely available to all, to circulate and build upon! We are proud to share this special moment with the global scientific community.

This landmark has been reached thanks to the immeasurable support of more than 600,000 expert reviewers, 66,000 editorial board members and 6700 hard-working colleagues across MDPI’s global offices.

Within more than 25 years of publishing, our journals received 2.1 million manuscripts and generated 4.6 million peer review reports to get to one million papers published.

Reaching the milestone of one million articles published reinforces our mission to remove any existing barriers and to make scientific research accessible to all. Since its inception, MDPI’s goal has been to create reliable processes to make science open. This is a path towards facilitating the dissemination of novel insights in scientific communities.

Regular feedback from authors and reviewers shows that our service is greatly appreciated and needed. At the same time, the feedback helps us identify areas for further improvement.

As it stands, a significant share of published research findings remain closed access. More than half of the content published with the most well-known legacy publishers stays behind a paywall, and that is not including articles published in hybrid OA journals, or made available months or years after publication.

A new policy announced by the US administration in August 2022 requires that, as of January 2026, all US federally funded research be made freely and immediately available after publication. While the new policy does not mandate articles be published under an open access license, it is aligned with the open access movement in removing all barriers to research. Similarly, some of the most advanced research institutions in the world intend to have all funded research articles published in open access by 2025.

MDPI is proud to be the leading agent of the transition to open access.

"Thanks a Million" to all the contributors!