Announcements

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.

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:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

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.

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

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Applied Sciences;
• Electronics;
• Robotics;
• Drones;
• Inventions;
• Telecom;
• Actuators;
• Applied System Innovation;
• Automation;
• Eng;
• Machines;
• Processes;
• Technologies;
• Vehicles;
• Modelling;
• World Electric Vehicle Journal.

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

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

The conference will focus on the following topics:

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

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Machines;
• Fluids;
• Eng;
• Vehicles;
• Micromachines;
• Aerospace;
• Micro;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• JMMP;
• Technologies;
• Thermo;
• JETA;
• Automation.

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

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

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:

We are pleased to announce that the 1st International Online Conference on Designs—Energy Systems and Artificial Intelligence is scheduled to take place online from 9 to 10 February 2026. The conference, organized by MDPI’s Designs (ISSN: 2411-9660), aims to gather researchers, professionals, and experts interested in this field to share their latest research findings, innovations, and experiences.

Conference Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Wenbin Yu, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China

The Topics of Interest:
S1. Artificial Intelligence for Renewable Energy Systems and Optimization;
S2. Smart Grids and AI-Enabled Energy Management Systems;
S3. Intelligent Design and Control of Energy Storage Systems and Demand Response;
S4. AI-Enhanced Design Strategies for Energy Efficiency in Built and Urban Environments;
S5. Data-Driven Design for Energy Forecasting, Security, and Resilience;
S6. Digital Design Technologies for Energy Equipment and Systems.

Important dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 10 October 2025;
Abstract acceptance notification: 10 November 2025;
Registration deadline: 3 February 2026.

Guide for Authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1387.

To register free for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/Designs2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding Abstract Submission, Poster and Slide Submission, and Publication Opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section: https://sciforum.net/event/Designs2026?section=#instructions.

Conference Awards:

• Best Oral Presentation Award and Best Poster Award;
• There will be 4 winners selected for this award;
• The winner will receive a certificate and CHF 200 each.

We look forward to receiving your contribution to Designs 2026.

Conference Chair
Prof. Dr. Wenbin Yu
Designs 2026 Organizing Team (designs2026@mdpi.com)

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.

We are pleased to announce that the application period is now open for the Eng Travel Award. The applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee chaired by the Editor-in-Chief of Eng (ISSN: 2673-4117).

This prize provides financial support for the winner to attend an international conference covering all areas of engineering, which will be held in 2026, in order to hold a presentation, present a poster, or both.

Candidate Requirements:

• Postdoctoral fellows or Ph.D. students;
• Plans to attend an international conference in 2026 (giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster). 
  

Required Application Documents:

• Information on the conference that the applicant is planning to attend and the abstract that will be submitted;
• Curriculum vitae and list of publications;
• A justification letter describing the focus of the research (max. 800 words);
• A letter of recommendation from the supervisor, research director, or department head, which also confirms the applicant’s status as a postdoctoral fellow/Ph.D. student.

The winner (one awardee) will be awarded CHF 800, a certificate and a waiver for submission to Eng. Please submit your application for the Eng Travel Award through the following link (by clicking on “Apply”).

The application deadline is 31 October 2025.

The winner will be announced on the Eng website in the end of December 2025, and the prize will be awarded at the same time. If you have any questions about this award and the application, please feel free to write to the Editorial Office at eng@mdpi.com.

Eng Editorial Office

We are pleased to announce that Eng (ISSN: 2673-4117) has been selected for inclusion in the Ei Compendex in April 2025. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of the authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to this journal and aided us in accomplishing this.

Eng is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal featuring original papers, critical reviews, rapid communications, technical notes, and discussions on all areas of engineering, published online monthly by MDPI. The scope of the journal includes but is not limited to Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering; Chemical and Materials Engineering; Energy Engineering; Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering; Aerospace Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology; Ocean and Environmental Engineering; and Computational and Mathematical Engineering. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research in as much detail as possible. Therefore, there is no restriction on the maximum length of papers submitted to the journal.

To make the most of this opportunity, we warmly invite you to consider Eng as a platform for publishing your work. If you have a paper concerning any topic within the scope of the journal, please submit it via the journal’s website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/eng.

Eng Editorial Office

Conference: The 38th International Electric Vehicle Symposium & Exhibition
Organization: The World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA)
Date: 15–18 June 2025
Place: Gothenburg, Sweden
Booths: C2-03 and A5-04

The International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS) series, organized by the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA), is recognized as the premier event for academic, government and industry professionals involved in electric drive technologies.

The EVS series began in 1969 as an academic forum for global networking and the exchange of technical information. As electric drive technologies progressed from classrooms and laboratories to the marketplace, EVS expanded into both an academic and business-oriented event.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Applied Sciences;
• Energies;
• Electricity;
• Batteries;
• Logistics;
• Smart Cities;
• Future Transportation;
• Electronics;
• Inventions;
• Eng;
• Automation;
• Electronic Materials.

If you plan on attending the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth #C2-03. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please click the following link: https://evs38.org/.