Announcements

Conference: KMB 2026 53rd Annual Meeting and International Symposium
Booth Number: N/A
Date: 24–26 June 2026
Location: HICO, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

KMB is a leading academic organization in Korea dedicated to microbiology, biotechnology, and related multidisciplinary fields. KMB 2026 53rd Annual Meeting and International Symposium (KMB 2026) aims to foster academic networking and human exchange through various sessions covering the entire spectrum of microbiology and biotechnology.

MDPI is excited to join KMB 2026 as an exhibitor. Taking place in Gyeongju from 24 to 26 June 2026, this conference will be a major opportunity for advancement of the bio-industry.

We warmly welcome all attendees to our booth to share their valued research findings. We look forward to the opportunity to engage in professional exchange and explore how we can support your scholarly journey through potential collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• IJMS;
• Microorganisms;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Fermentation;
• JoF;
• Antibiotics;
• Bacteria;
• Epigenomes;
• Foods;
• Immuno;
• Microbiology Research;
• Plants;
• SynBio;
• JGBG;
• Marine Drugs.

Our team is excited to welcome you to our booth for a face-to-face discussion and to assist with any of your inquiries. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://www.kormb.or.kr/abstract/2026_spring/.

1. Congratulations on winning the Fermentation Travel Award! Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your current research interests?
Good morning. My name is Anastasiia Kasianova. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Turin, Italy. Under the supervision of Prof. Luca Rolle and Dr. Maria Alessandra Paissoni, I conduct my research that is aimed at developing a comprehensive method to define wine typicity, to describe both chemical and sensory characteristics of a specific wine category. For this purpose, we analyse commercial and experimental white wines produced with maceration. We are currently focusing on consumer appreciation of this wine category.

2. How did you hear about this award and how supportive might this kind of award be for researchers?
I first learned about this award from my supervisor. Unfortunately, in my opinion, information about initiatives of this kind is not widely disseminated. On the other hand, receiving this award—which is granted only once every two years and is open to researchers across all fermentation sciences—can be highly motivating and a great source of pride. 

3. Could you briefly describe the conferences you plan to attend through the funding of this award, and discuss the significance of participating in such conferences for your research?
It is going to be WAC-IVAS 2026 conference that is the 14th edition of the “In Vino Analytica Scientia” international symposium organized jointly with the 6th edition of the “Wine Active Compounds” conference in Dijon, France. It will give me the opportunity to exchange research experience, gain fresh ideas for my project, meet leading researchers in my field, and develop new contacts. Furthermore, it will be a great opportunity to visit, for the first time, an important winemaking area such as Côte d’Or. 

4. In your view, how can academic journals and publishers further support early career researchers and the broader academic community?
First, academic journals can support early career researchers by offering clear guidance throughout the publication process. Workshops or resources on scientific writing and reviewing could be useful. In our field of research support for interdisciplinary projects or collaboration between academia and industry is also important.

5. How do you view the role of open access journals in academic communication? Will you consider reviewing or contributing to them in the future?
Open access journals play a crucial role in academic communication because they make scientific knowledge widely available to researchers, but especially to scholars, winemakers and the public around the world. In viticulture and winemaking research, open access can facilitate the exchange of information on grape and wine quality and new technologies in changing environmental, economic and social conditions.
I would certainly consider contributing to and reviewing for high-quality open access journals in the future as part of supporting the scientific community and promoting accessible research. 

6. What advice would you give to early career researchers who want to make important contributions to their fields?
I would advise to early career researchers to be brave in pursuing their research ideas, to take offered possibilities to learn new things and exchange knowledge, and, of course, to start writing and publishing as early as possible.

7. Looking ahead, what are your main goals or projects for the coming years?
In the coming years, I would like to deepen my research through an intercultural study on experts’ appreciation and consumers’ perceptions of macerated white wines by involving sensory panels from different countries during my PhD period abroad. Through the Fermentation Travel Award and the WAC-IVAS conference, I will have the opportunity to connect with other research groups in my field and identify a country in which to continue my project. I would like to sincerely thank the award committee for giving me this opportunity, as well as my research team for their continuous collaboration and support.

We are excited to announce the MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop, hosted in partnership with the Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University. This collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that responds to global sustainability challenges through innovative approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and transformative solutions.

As part of our continued support for researcher development, the workshop aims to empower the academic community at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University. Participants will explore emerging trends in sustainability, learn about open access publishing strategies, and have the chance to engage directly with journal editors and publishing professionals. Designed with early-career researchers and innovators in mind, the workshop will provide practical skills to help participants increase the impact of their scholarly work and build meaningful international connections.

Date: 10 June 2026
Time: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 227, 2^nd Floor, Lecture Building 3, Thammasat University, Rangsit Center
Language: Thai
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L6CVY9Y

Conference: ASM Microbe 2026
Date: 4–7 June 2026
Location: Washington, USA

MDPI will be attending the ASM Microbe 2026 as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

ASM Microbe 2026 is transforming the way we connect with science. For the first time, they are hosting three independent meetings under one roof and offering the most comprehensive access to cutting-edge research and experts driving discovery in your field.

Delve into your scientific community by attending 1 of 3 distinct meetings—Health, Applied & Environmental Microbiology or Mechanism Discovery. Each offers a focused, in-depth experience tailored to your field, providing the latest research, perspectives and developments shaping the future of microbial science. Wherever your expertise lies, you will find a meeting that speaks directly to your science at ASM Microbe.

1. Shape the Direction of Microbial Science: Collaborate with peers who are setting research agendas and driving progress across academia, industry and government. ASM Microbe brings together the most accomplished minds across disciplines to advance collective understanding and influence the future of microbial research and application.
2. Discover Tools, Ideas and Industry Innovations: Visit the dynamic exhibit hall where leading companies showcase the latest technologies, products and solutions. Connect with industry experts, gain insights into emerging tools and uncover opportunities to advance your research and applications.
3. Uncover the Latest Breakthroughs in Microbial Science: Explore the poster hall and cutting-edge abstracts to discover the newest findings presented by scientists from around the world. Gain insights that advance your research, spark new ideas and reveal trends shaping the future of the field.
4. Connect With the Brightest Minds: Build collaborations and form new partnerships across academia, industry and government. Network with peers and mentors who can challenge your thinking and amplify your science.
5. Be Part of the Conversation That Moves Science Forward: ASM Microbe 2026 brings together your community to present research, define priorities, share perspectives and accelerate discovery. From the leading experts shaping the field, to the rising stars driving the next generation of discoveries, this is where leaders convene, game-changing research is unveiled and the next era of microbial science takes shape.

The following open acess journals will be represented:

• Microorganisms;
• Fermentation;
• Life;
• JoF;
• Vaccines;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Aerobiology;
• Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease;
• Antibiotics;
• Microbiology Research;
• Zoonotic Diseases;
• Pathogens;
• Bacteria;
• Acta Microbiologica Hellenica.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. 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://asm.org/events/asm-microbe/home.

To further enhance the international influence of Fermentation (ISSN: 2311-5637) and promote academic exchange among researchers, we are currently recruiting prestigious scholars from around the world to join our Editorial Board.

Recruitment:
Editorial Board Members will hold their position for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.

Main responsibilities of Editorial Board Members:

• Pre-screening and making decisions on new submissions related to your research interests;
• Setting up at least one Special Issue during your term on a topic related to your research interests;
• Providing input or feedback regarding journal policies;
• Helping to promote the journal among your peers or at conferences;
• Attending Board meetings to suggest journal development strategies;
• Reviewing manuscripts.

Benefits of becoming an Editorial Board Member:

• Publishing one paper per year free of charge in Fermentation;
• Receiving travel grants if you lead a successful Special Issue and would like to promote it at conferences that you attend or organize;
• Enjoying additional sponsorships for conferences organized by Editorial Board Members;
• Growing your network, prestige, and influence among scholars in your research community;
• Building and directing the community by identifying and introducing suitable collaborators;
• Gaining a fresh perspective and unique insights into how this field is developing;
• Receiving a certificate recognizing your position as an Editorial Board Member;
• Organizing or promoting your own conferences using our SciForum platform.

Eligibility criteria for applicants:

• A completed doctorate/PhD;
• A strong record of publishing impactful work in the field of fermentation research;
• A current academic position as an associate professor, or professor.

To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact the Fermentation Editorial Office via fermentation@mdpi.com and attach the following files:

• A full academic CV;
• A short cover letter that details your interest in this position.

For more information about Fermentation, please click the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fermentation.

We look forward to welcoming new members to help shape the future of Fermentation.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Fermentation (ISSN: 2311-5637) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Section—“Animal and Feed Fermentation”. We have a total of seven Sections to cover all topics on all research areas of fermentation related to new and emerging products, processes and technologies including biopharmaceuticals and biotech drugs.

The aim of the “Animal and Feed Fermentation” Section is to provide a dedicated platform for high-quality research on microbial fermentation processes that underpin animal nutrition, health, and feed production. The Section seeks to advance understanding of digestive fermentation in animals, the microbial ecology of feed systems, and the biotechnological innovations that improve nutrient utilization, sustainability, and production efficiency. By integrating insights from animal science, microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental research, this Section aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, highlight mechanistic and applied studies, and promote innovative approaches to optimize fermentation in both animal and feed systems. It also encourages studies that provide comparative insights, including mechanistic aspects of human digestive fermentation, where relevant to microbial metabolism and substrate utilization.

Please find more details at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/fermentation/sections/animal_and_feed_fermentation.

The “Animal and Feed Fermentation” Section is currently recruiting Editorial Board Members (EBMs), Guest Editors, and volunteer reviewers. The relevant requirement information can be found at the following links:

• https://www.mdpi.com/editors;
• https://www.mdpi.com/special_issues_guidelines;
• https://www.mdpi.com/reviewers#5_Volunteer_Reviewers.

If you are interested in joining us or have any questions, please contact us at fermentation@mdpi.com.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.