Announcements
13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025
MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.
Workshop Highlights:
- Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
- How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
- How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
- Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
- How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University
Program:
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Speakers |
Program and Content |
Time |
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Dr. Stephen Mora |
Introduction to MDPI |
12:00–12:05 p.m. |
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How to Write and Structure a Research Article |
12:05–12:45 p.m. |
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How to Respond to Reviewer Comments |
12:45–1:30 p.m. |
8 May 2025
Meet Us at the ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2025 (ITSAP 2025), 28–30 May 2025, Suwon, Republic of Korea
6 May 2025
Topics Webinar | EO&GEO Series: Investigating State-of-the Art Machine Learning Approaches in Vegetation Analysis Through Earth Observation Data, 15 May 2025
A message from the webinar Chair:
Vegetation cover maps, whether they focus on structural attributes, ecological aspects, or biomass content, are invaluable for understanding Earth’s ecosystems in a spatial context.
The advent of Earth Observation data has transformed vegetation mapping and trend analysis, delivering datasets with various spatial and spectral resolutions on a global scale. Vegetation mapping and analysis provide critical insights into the distribution and density of vegetation, while also highlighting the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity and ecosystems. The accurate interpretation of this remote sensing data necessitates sophisticated analytical techniques to manage their complexity and vastness.
Join us for an insightful webinar that explores cutting-edge machine learning methodologies and their role in vegetation analysis using Earth Observation (EO) data. This webinar features four scholars presenting their latest research on how machine learning and EO data can enhance vegetation monitoring and mapping. This will facilitate the exchange of insights and ideas among participants while fostering opportunities for future collaboration.
We are privileged to welcome esteemed research scientists and academics from recognized research institutions and universities in Australia. They will share their expertise and findings on the effective application of machine learning technology in Earth Observation data in obtaining essential information related to climate change, land use planning, ecosystem conservation, weed management, and agricultural management.
Webinar: EO&GEO Series: Investigating State-of-the-Art Machine Learning Approaches in Vegetation Analysis through Earth Observation Data
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 3.00 p.m. AEST | 1.00 p.m. CST | 7.00 a.m. CEST
Webinar ID: 854 2945 1681
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/topics-34
This is a free webinar. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording becomes available for viewing.
Register for free:
Program:
| Speaker/Presentation | Time in AEST | Time in CST (Asia) | Time in CEST |
| Dr. Arnick Abdollahi Chair Introduction |
15:00–15:10 | 13:00–13:10 | 07:00–07:10 |
| Dr. Catherine Ticehurst Generating an Australia-Wide Vegetation Height Product by Combining Gedi Satellite Lidar with Optical, Radar and Climate Earth Observation Data in a Machine Learning Model |
15:10–15:30 | 13:10–13:30 | 07:10–07:30 |
| Q&A Session | 15:30–15:40 | 13:30–13:40 | 07:30–07:40 |
| Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava Earth Observation Data Fusion for Improved Mapping of Weeds in Natural and Plantation Forests with Machine Learning Approaches |
15:40–16:00 | 13:40–14:00 | 07:40–08:00 |
| Q&A Session | 16:00–16:10 | 14:00–14:10 | 08:00–08:10 |
| Dr. Chandrama Sarker Chair Introduction |
16:10–16:20 | 14:10–14:20 | 08:10–08:20 |
| Dr. Arnick Abdollahi Harnessing Earth Observation Technology and Machine Learning for National Biomass Assessment in Australia |
16:20–16:40 | 14:20–14:40 | 08:20–08:40 |
| Q&A Session | 16:40–16:50 | 14:40–14:50 | 08:40–08:50 |
| Dr. Kate Giljohann and Dr. Roozbeh Valavi Ecosystem Condition Modelling Using the Habitat Condition Assessment System (Hcas) and Its Applications in Australia |
16:50–17:10 | 14:50–15:10 | 08:50–09:10 |
| Q&A Session | 17:10–17:20 | 15:10–15:20 | 09:10–09:20 |
| Closing of Webinar | 17:20–17:25 | 15:20–15:25 | 09:20–09:25 |
Webinar Chairs and Speakers:
- Dr. Arnick Abdollahi, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
- Dr. Chandrama Sarker, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia;
- Dr. Catherine Ticehurst, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia;
- Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia;
- Dr. Roozbeh Valavi, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia);
- Dr. Kate Giljohann, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia.
Relevant Special Issue:
“Investigating State-of-the-Art Machine Learning Approaches in Vegetation Analysis through Earth Observation Data”
Guest Editors: Dr. Arnick Abdollahi and Dr. Chandrama Sarker
Deadline for submission: 25 May 2025
Relevant Papers:
“Retrieval of Crop Canopy Chlorophyll: Machine Learning vs. Radiative Transfer Model”
by Mir Md Tasnim Alam, Anita Simic Milas, Mateo Gašparović and Henry Poku Osei
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(12), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122058
“A Robust Dual-Mode Machine Learning Framework for Classifying Deforestation Patterns in Amazon Native Lands”
by Julia Rodrigues, Mauricio Araújo Dias, Rogério Negri, Sardar Muhammad Hussain and Wallace Casaca
Land 2024, 13(9), 1427; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091427
“Evaluating Land Surface Temperature Trends and Explanatory Variables in the Miami Metropolitan Area from 2002–2021”
by Alanna D. Shapiro and Weibo Liu
Geomatics 2024, 4(1), 1-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics4010001
“A GIS-Based Framework to Analyze the Behavior of Urban Greenery During Heatwaves Using Satellite Data”
by Barbara Cardone, Ferdinando Di Martino, Cristiano Mauriello and Vittorio Miraglia
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(11), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13110377
“UAV-Based Wetland Monitoring: Multispectral and Lidar Fusion with Random Forest Classification”
by Robert Van Alphen, Kai C. Rains, Mel Rodgers, Rocco Malservisi and Timothy H. Dixon
Drones 2024, 8(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8030113
6 May 2025
Drones Webinar | Drone Technologies for Wildfire Management: Socio-Economic Assessment, WUI Risk Analysis, and Strategic Planning Tools in TREEADS, 8 May 2025
Join us for an engaging and insightful webinar that delves into the transformative role of drone technology and simulation tools in wildfire prevention and management, as explored within the European TREEADS project. As wildfires become increasingly frequent and devastating, especially in areas where forests and urban environments meet, innovative approaches are urgently needed. This session will present how drones are being used not only for detailed forest mapping and the analysis of socio-economic impacts caused by wildfires, but also for assessing risks in Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) zones—critical hotspots where human lives and infrastructure are most at risk. Moreover, we will explore how simulations and UAVs are shaping the planning and management of strategic areas during wildfire events, offering faster, data-driven responses for emergency services and forest managers. Do not miss this opportunity to discover how technology is advancing the way we understand, prepare for, and respond to wildfires.
Date: 08 May 2025
Time: 02:00 p.m. CEST | 08:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 884 7109 5338
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/Drones-5
Register now for free!
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Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST/CET (Basel Time) |
Time in EDT |
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Prof. Dr. Pablo Rodríguez-Gonzálvez |
2:00–2:10 p.m. |
8:00–8:10 a.m. |
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Dr. Diogo Vallim |
2:10–2:30 p.m. |
8:10–8:30 a.m. |
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Q&A Session |
2:30–2:35 p.m. |
8:30–8:35 a.m. |
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Mr. Andreas Lefkatis |
2:35–2:55 p.m. |
8:35–08:55 a.m. |
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Q&A Session |
2:55–3:00 p.m. |
8:55–9:00 a.m. |
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Prof. Dr. Diego Gonzalez-Aguilera |
3:00–3:20 p.m. |
9:00–9:20 a.m. |
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Q&A Session |
3:20–3:25 p.m. |
9:20–9:25 a.m. |
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Prof. Dr. Pablo Rodríguez-Gonzálvez |
3:25–3:35 p.m. |
9:25–9:35 a.m. |
Unable to attend? Feel free to still register, we will inform you when the recording is available.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:
- Prof. Dr. Pablo Rodríguez-Gonzálvez, Department of Mining Technology, Topography and Structures, University of León, Spain;
- Dr. Diogo Vallim, Department of Management, Society and Communication, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark;
- Mr. Andreas Lefkatis, ACCELIGENCE, Greece;
- Prof. Dr. Diego Gonzalez-Aguilera, Cartographic and Land Engineering Department, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Relevant Special Issues:
“Drones for Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Science”
Guest Editors: Brian K. Gullett, Johanna Aurell, Pantelis Velanas and Diego González-Aguilera
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2025
“Understanding Disasters in a Changing Landscape: Causes, Impacts and Mitigation Strategies”
Guest Editors: Dr. Fotis Maris, Panagiotis Angelidis and George Papaioannou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025
30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science
Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.
Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.
Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.
A closer look at the achievement
Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals.
For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.
Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.
“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing
“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead
Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/
Looking to the future
This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.
Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.
Impactful Research
Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe.
The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.
Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI
MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.
These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.
Our IOAP Team
A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.
These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.
What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?
For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.
For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.
Inside MDPI
MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment
Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.
Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html
Why is this important?
As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”
Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.
At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.
About the authors
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.
Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.
Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.
Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.
Coming Together for Science
Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security
Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.
It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.
The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.
The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.
From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!
Awards
Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).
Plants 2025 Conference Team
The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).
Upcoming event
5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)
As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.
Find more upcoming MDPI events here.
Closing Thoughts
Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.
Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.
MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden
“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.
“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”
Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:
- The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
- Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
- In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 April 2025
Announcing the Award Committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award
We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.
Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.
We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award. Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/.
Chair:
 Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA |
Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes. |
 Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy |
Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe. |
 Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA |
Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas. |
 Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal |
Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis. |
 Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan |
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications. |
 Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK |
Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field. |
 Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA |
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. |
 Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA |
A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents. |
30 April 2025
Welcoming New Early Career Editorial Members of Drones
Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X) is pleased to announce the following 25 researchers, who have been added to our group of 2025–2026 Early Career Editorial Board Members. Please join us in congratulating them on joining the Drones community!
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Name: Dr. Baigang Mi
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Name: Dr. Chi Xu |
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Name: Dr. Dandan Peng
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Name: Dr. Dayi Zhang
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Name: Dr. Deepak Akiwate |
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Name: Dr. Derek Hollenbeck |
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Name: Dr. Dongdong Li
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Name: Dr. Haoxuan Dong
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Name: Prof. Dr. I. de Zarzà
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Name: Dr. Jialong Zhang
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Name: Dr. João Pedro Matos-Carvalho |
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Name: Prof. Dr. Joaquim de Curtò i Díaz
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Name: Dr. Kun Zhang
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Name: Dr. Kyuman Lee
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Name: Dr. Narsimlu Kemsaram
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Name: Dr. Neng Ye
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Name: Dr. Runze Dong
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Name: Dr. Salvatore Rosario Bassolillo |
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Name: Prof Dr. Shu Fu
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Name: Dr. Shuting Xu
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Name: Dr. Tenglong Huang |
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Name: Dr. Vasil Yordanov
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Name: Prof. Dr. Weiran Yao
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Name: Dr. Wilfried Yves Hamilton Adoni
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22 April 2025
Drones Webinar | Drones for Natural Hazards, 30 April 2025
In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have seen significant technological advancements, expanding their applications in disaster risk management. UAVs provide high-resolution, non-invasive data that are essential in all stages of the disaster cycle: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. From hazard mapping to emergency response and search and rescue, UAVs and intelligent swarms are becoming vital tools for professionals worldwide.
Additionally, UAV-derived datasets improve and validate spaceborne applications in disaster management. When combined with geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial AI, they further enhance decision making and scientific research. The growing availability of affordable consumer-grade UAVs also encourages citizen science contributions, making risk-related activities more inclusive and accessible.
Date: 30 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. CEST | 4:00 p.m. CST Asia | 4:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 864 6090 5339
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Drones-4
Register now for free!
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Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST Asia |
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Dr. Vasil Yordanov |
10:00–11:10 a.m. |
4:00–4:10 p.m. |
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Prof. Taichi Furuhashi |
10:10–10:25 a.m. |
4:10–4:25 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
10:25–10:30 a.m. |
4:25–4:30 p.m. |
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Dr. Aggeliki Kyriou |
10:30–10:45 a.m. |
4:30–4:45 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
10:45–10:50 a.m. |
4:45–4:50 p.m. |
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Prof. Dr. Luigi Barazzetti |
10:50–11:05 a.m. |
4:50–5:05 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
11:05–11:10 a.m. |
5:05–5:10 p.m. |
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Dr. Vasil Yordanov |
11:10–11:25 a.m. |
5:10–5:25 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
11:25–11:30 a.m. |
5:25–5:30 p.m. |
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Dr. Vasil Yordanov |
11:30–11:40 a.m. |
5:30–5:40 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chairs and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Vasil Yordanov, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy;
- Prof. Taichi Furuhashi, School of Global Studies and Collaboration, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan;
- Dr. Aggeliki Kyriou, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece;
- Prof. Dr. Luigi Barazzetti, Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
Relevant Special Issue:
“Drones for Natural Hazards”
Guest Editors: Dr. Vasil Yordanov, Prof. Dr. Luigi Barazzetti and Prof. Dr. Maria Antonia Brovelli
11 April 2025
International Day of Human Space Flight—“The Beginning of the Space Era for Mankind”, 12 April 2025
The International Day of Human Space Flight, observed annually on 12 April, commemorates Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 spaceflight—the first human journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This milestone marked the dawn of human space exploration, fostering scientific and technological advancements that continue to benefit humanity. Space science and technology play a crucial role in sustainable development, atmospheric research, satellite communications, and global cooperation.
In recognition of the International Day of Human Space Flight, MDPI plans to celebrate the achievements of space exploration and the scientists and engineers who are driving innovation in aerospace and related fields. Through its open access publishing modal, MDPI ensures that cutting-edge research on space technologies, geosciences, and remote sensing is accessible to experts, decision-makers, and global audiences. By promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, MDPI supports the continued advancement of space research, ensuring that outer space remains a shared frontier for peaceful and sustainable development.
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“Use of Simulation for Pre-Training of Drone Pilots”
by Alexander Somerville, Timothy Lynar, Keith Joiner and Graham Wild
Drones 2024, 8(11), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8110640
“Aircraft Skin Machine Learning-Based Defect Detection and Size Estimation in Visual Inspections”
by Angelos Plastropoulos, Kostas Bardis, George Yazigi, Nicolas P. Avdelidis and Mark Droznika
Technologies 2024, 12(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies12090158
“Landsat 9 Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2) Pre- and Post-Launch Spatial Response Performance”
by Rehman Eon, Brian N. Wenny, Ethan Poole, Sarah Eftekharzadeh Kay, Matthew Montanaro, Aaron Gerace and Kurtis J. Thome
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061065
“Lineament Domain Analysis to Unravel Tectonic Settings on Planetary Surfaces: Insights from the Claritas Fossae (Mars)”
by Evandro Balbi and Fabrizio Marini
Geosciences 2024, 14(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14030079
“Simulation of Human Movement in Zero Gravity”
by Adelina Bärligea, Kazunori Hase and Makoto Yoshida
Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061770
“Enhancing Planetary Exploration through Digital Twins: A Tool for Virtual Prototyping and HUMS Design”
by Lucio Pinello, Lorenzo Brancato, Marco Giglio, Francesco Cadini and Giuseppe Francesco De Luca
Aerospace 2024, 11(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11010073
“Performance Estimate of a Spin-Stabilized Drag Sail for Spacecraft Deorbiting”
by Lorenzo Niccolai and Giovanni Mengali
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020612
“The Design of a Reaction Flywheel Speed Control System Based on ADRC”
by Jiachen Song, Jianguo Guo, Changtao Qin and Wanliang Zhao
Automation 2023, 4(3), 246-262; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation4030015
“Short-Term Prediction of 80–88 km Wind Speed in Near Space Based on VMD–PSO–LSTM”
by Shaoyi Yang, Hua Yang, Na Li and Zonghua Ding
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020315
“Enhanced Range and Endurance Evaluation of a Camber Morphing Wing Aircraft”
by Bruce W. Jo and Tuba Majid
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010034
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“Aviation Science and Technology Applications” |
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“Ionospheric Disturbances and Space Weather” |
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“Planetary Geologic Mapping and Remote Sensing (Second Edition)” |
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Eng. Proc., 2025, EASN 2024 |
9 April 2025
Drones | Special Issue Reprints Published in 2024
We are delighted to share with you reprints of Special Issues published in 2024 in the journal Drones (ISSN: 2504-446X). To read more reprints of the Special Issues published in Drones, please visit the following website: https://www.mdpi.com/books/search.
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1. “Multi-UAV Networks” |
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2. “Intelligent Image Processing and Sensing for Drones” |
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3. “Intelligent Recognition and Detection for Unmanned Systems” |
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4. “When Deep Learning Meets Geometry for Air-to-Ground Perception on Drones” |
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5. “Digital Twins and Extended Reality: Opportunities and Challenges of Integrated Applications” |
