Announcements

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Thaddeus Ezeji has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Fermentation Process Design” Section in Fermentation (ISSN: 2311-5637). With his extensive background in scientific research and publishing, he will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this prestigious role.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Thaddeus Ezeji, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area and open access publishing:

1. Could you share some information about the main lines of research of your group with us?
My research program focuses on the following areas:

• Development of processes for extracting sugars from lignocellulosic biomass;
• Process and metabolic engineering of fermenting microorganisms to optimize the production of fuels and chemicals;
• Understanding the generation of lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds (LDMICs) during the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, and their effects on fermenting microorganisms;
• Understanding and developing strategies to ameliorate the undesirable effects of lignocellulose LDMICs on fermenting microorganisms;
• Design of fermentation systems compatible with agricultural and industrial wastes;
• To promote sustainable bioproduct production, my laboratory is also actively engaged in recycling food and agricultural wastes by converting them into valuable products as well as the development of effective strategies for the biological treatment of agricultural and industrial wastes (bioremediation).

In collaboration with various Ohio State faculty members, I am actively engaged in outreach programs addressing emerging issues in Ohio's expanding bioenergy sector.

2. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to become its Section Editor-in-Chief?
I joined the Editorial Board of the Fermentation journal shortly after its inauguration. As a fermentation biologist, I have always felt that there is a gap in the academic world—a dedicated journal with a primary focus on fermentation. While various journals published fermentation-related research, none were specifically devoted to this important field. Considering the significant impact of fermentation on food processing, production, preservation, and the production of drugs and platform chemicals, I believed a dedicated journal was necessary. Consequently, I approached a major American journal publisher with the idea of establishing a dedicated fermentation journal. Despite my enthusiasm, the proposal did not gain much traction. Then, about 9 or 10 years ago, MDPI reached out to me with an offer to serve as one of the Associate Editors for their new Fermentation journal. I accepted the position immediately and have been collaborating with the journal ever since. My commitment to the growth and success of the Fermentation journal is deeply personal. Therefore, when the Section Editor-in-Chief position became available, it was an easy decision to express my interest.

3. What are your plans and vision for the Section and the journal?
As a global publication, my plans and vision for the Fermentation journal include, but are not limited to, the following objectives:

• Uphold and maintain the highest scientific standards, as this is essential for cultivating trust among esteemed scientists;
• Foster inclusivity and a strong commitment to diversity by reaching out to scientists in countries that are currently less familiar with the Fermentation journal;
• Collaborate with authors to ensure the publication of high-quality science, recognizing that scientific publications can significantly influence important private and governmental decisions;
• Position the journal as a leading voice and contributor in the fields of biomanufacturing and sustainability.

4. As an expert in the field of fermentation, which research topics do you think are popular at present, and what does the future of this field of research look like?
I would say they are biomanufacturing and environmental sustainability. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, biomanufacturing involves using living organisms and cells to produce molecules or other biological materials for products such as medicines, food, and drinks. Southern New Hampshire University emphasizes that environmental sustainability aims to balance ecological, economic, and social goals, such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring equitable resource access. Clearly, biomanufacturing and environmental sustainability complement each other, and fermentation plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.

5. You have been collaborating with Fermentation as a Guest Editor, leading multiple Special Issues. Can you share with us more about your experience as Guest Editor over the past few years?
My experience with the editorial staff of the Fermentation journal has been wonderful. They are punctual and proactive in planning and executing their work. While there are occasional setbacks, such as authors promising to contribute a manuscript but not following through, this is to be expected in the nature of the business.

6. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
The introduction of open access in the publishing field is beneficial because it facilitates the free availability of scientific articles to anybody with internet access. This accessibility allows researchers from developing countries or institutions with limited resources to access scientific papers without financial barriers. Additionally, open access publishing fosters greater collaboration among researchers worldwide. This can potentially accelerate scientific discovery and innovation. However, open access also has drawbacks. High publication costs can create barriers for researchers with meager funding or those whose funding does not cover publication expenses. Furthermore, the rise of open access has led to the proliferation of predatory journals, which charge fees without subjecting scientific manuscripts to a rigorous peer review process. I have heard stories of publishers overriding editors' rejections of manuscripts and proceeding with their publication. However, I am pleased to say that the peer review process in the Fermentation journal is rigorous, and editors' recommendations are unequivocally respected.

We wish Prof. Dr. Thaddeus Ezeji every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.

Five new journals covering multiple subjects have launched their inaugural issue in June 2024. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the Editorial Board Members and each journal will ensure its high-quality output using excellent editorial and rigorous peer review processes, to ensure that the articles achieve high impact and visibility.

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

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Marco Ranucci, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	anaesthetic medications; blood and fluid management; pain management; critical care; critical illness | view journal scope | submit an article
	Dr. Giovanni E. Cacciamani, University of Southern California, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr.  Gassan Hodaifa, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain | Editorial | view inaugural issue	laboratory management; laboratory safety; protective equipment; laboratory problems and challenges; laboratory Innovation | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski, Texas A&M University, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	companion animals health and disease; veterinary care and nutrition; genetics and genomics; behavior and welfare; human-animal relations | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco De Paola, University of Naples Federico II, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	real estate appraisal; economic and financial valuation of real estate projects; sustainable real estate; housing and urban economics | view journal scope | submit an article

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

MDPI is pleased to announce the inclusion of 237 journals in the 2024 release of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and share the key results (see above).

This year, journals covered in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) received category ranks together with journals in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Overall, 139 MDPI journals indexed in ESCI are included in the new unified rankings for the first time.

Enhanced Comparability of Data

According to Clarivate, "the creation of unified category rankings [provides] a simpler and more complete category view for the evaluation of journal performance. [...] The category-first approach simplifies journal performance assessment with a holistic view of all journals in each subject category."

We are thrilled to announce that 72% of our ranked MDPI journals (171 of 237) are above average, in Q1 or Q2. Twenty-nine of our journals received their first Impact Factor this year, accounting for more than 5% of the journals accepted into the Web of Science last year.

MDPI Journals Ranked in JCR

The following data includes all MDPI journals indexed in SCIE, SSCI, ESCI and AHCI.

Source: 2023 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports ^TM (Clarivate, 2024)

About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 440 fully open access titles.

MDPI will be attending the 28th International ICFMH Conference, which will be held from 8 to 11 July 2024, in BURGOS, Spain.

This conference will focus on the latest advances in new technologies in food production and microbiological analysis. It is an opportunity to delve into cutting-edge research and technological breakthroughs, exploring the ways in which innovation is driving improvements in food safety and quality.

The conference covers a range of topics, including new trends in food processing, innovative approaches to food safety and quality, and novel methods for microbial analysis. In addition, some emerging field topics are discussed for the first time, such as microplastics and microbiome interactions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Foods;
• Microorganisms;
• Pathogens;
• Obesities;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Dietetics;
• Applied Biosciences;
• Dairy;
• Nutrients;
• Life;
• Fermentation;
• Antibiotics.

On UNESCO’s 2024 Oceans Day, MDPI encourages the scientific community to increase the accessibility of ocean research to accelerate ocean conservation.

Basel, Switzerland, June 7, 2024: MDPI, a leading open access (OA) publisher, is proud to announce its active support for World Oceans Day 2024, celebrated under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade framework. MDPI’s CEO, Stefan Tochev hopes that “the latest ocean research can be made freely accessible to help empower scientists and communities at large to save our oceans,” under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade until 2030.

Open Access: A Catalyst for Ocean Action

MDPI’s presence at the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference 2024 highlights our unwavering commitment to using OA to advance ocean science, support research communities, and promote sustainable ocean management.

"Our involvement in the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference underscores MDPI's commitment to the underfunded Ocean SDG. By promoting OA to scientific articles and books on SDGs, we aim to inspire critical actions," said Tochev. "Our initiatives, like the World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Award, further demonstrate our dedication to advancing sustainability.”

Showcasing MDPI’s Contributions to Ocean Research

Over the past three years, MDPI has published 30,000 papers focused on ocean research and related topics. Key MDPI journals contributing to this body of work include:

• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (4.9k papers)
• Remote Sensing (2.6k papers)
• Sustainability (2k papers)
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (1.7k papers)
• Marine Drugs (1.5k papers)
• Water (1.5k papers)

These publications highlight MDPI’s contributions to ocean science, reinforcing our role in the broader sustainability agenda by promoting blue innovation and economy.

Additionally, MDPI has launched Oceans, an international, peer-reviewed forum specifically aimed at publishing studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services.

Affirming MDPI’s Commitment to Ocean Science

MDPI’s commitment to OA is pivotal in addressing critical global challenges, from climate change to ocean sustainability. Our efforts resonate with Outcome 4 of the UNESCO Ocean Decade action roadmap: an accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information, technology, and innovation. By aligning with UNESCO’s goals, MDPI continues to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for our oceans, reinforcing our position as a forward-thinking publisher dedicated to environmental stewardship and scientific excellence.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.

About MDPI

95% of authors rate MDPI’s publication process as excellent or good, setting a new benchmark in scientific publishing – reveals 2023 Annual Report. 

Basel, Switzerland, June 4, 2024: MDPI, the leading open access (OA) publisher, proudly announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report, detailing remarkable achievements and reaffirming its leadership in advancing OA publishing. In 2023, MDPI received 655,065 submissions, of which 285,244 articles were published. The company now commands a 17% market share in gold open access articles, with a median publication time of six weeks.

Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO, stated, "As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI has long been a game-changer in the scholarly community, serving millions of authors around the world to ensure the latest research is freely available. Reflecting on our incredible journey at MDPI, 2023 has been marked by growth in paper submissions, ambitious projects and initiatives aimed at improving our internal processes and delivering top-notch services to our scientists."

MDPI's 2023 Annual Report highlights several key achievements:

• 17% market share in gold open access articles across all disciplines.
• Record satisfaction rates: 95% of authors, 82% of reviewers, and 85% of guest editors.
• Enhanced editorial standards and feedback processes.
• Increased reach and impact with 54 new MDPI journal inclusions in Scopus, 29 in Web of Science, and 77 in DOAJ.

MDPI’s unwavering commitment to advancing OA has transformed the landscape of scholarly publishing, making high-quality research freely accessible to the global scientific community. The continuous improvement in our editorial standards and feedback processes underscores MDPI’s dedication to ensuring academic integrity and excellence.

Global Reach and Collaboration

MDPI’s global footprint continues to expand, with authors from diverse regions: 37% from Asia/Pacific, 36% from Europe, 15% from the Americas, and 12% from other parts of the world. The company’s fully OA platform attracted nearly 14 million monthly visitors in 2023, reflecting its widespread influence in the scientific community.

Commitment to Partnerships

With over 800 institutional partners, MDPI continues to demonstrate its dedication to providing reliable and collaborative publishing services. The introduction of a transparent flat-fee model highlights MDPI's ongoing efforts to enhance affordability and support to the academic community. For more details read our 2023 Annual Report.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at rui.duarte@mdpi.com or +41764313242.

About MDPI

We are pleased to announce Dr. Edmar Ramos Oliveira-Filho as one of the winners of the Fermentation 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award.

1. Can you please tell us a little more about yourself and your current research?
I am a biologist, with a Ph.D. in biotechnology. During my master’s and doctoral studies, I have explored the biotechnological production of renewable biopolymers from agro-industrial byproducts. I am currently working with synthetic biology, focused on microbial engineering and the continuous directed evolution of enzymes.

2. Can you please share with us your sentiments upon winning the award?
Winning the award was a great pleasure! I'm delighted that reviewing for Fermentation has positively contributed to the scientific community.

3. Which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I believe the focus for the coming years will include strategies to mitigate (or deal with) the effects of climate change. Developing upscalable real-world technologies that move us closer to a sustainable society will be essential.

4. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
My approach to reviewing manuscripts involves taking notes and thinking about potential questions the reader might have when reading the manuscript. It is often necessary to check classic and modern literature to get updated on the study's theme. To ensure a high-quality review, the peer-review process should not be rushed.

5. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
A great review report requires time and dedication. The reviewer must pay attention to details and anticipate questions the readers might have, especially about the techniques used and the results presented.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Thais Suzane Milessi Esteves as one of the winners of the Fermentation 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award.

The following is an interview with Dr. Thais Suzane Milessi Esteves:

1. Can you please tell us a little more about yourself?
I am a biochemical engineer with a master’s degree in industrial biotechnology and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. I am Brazilian, and I am currently a professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering (DEQ) at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). My main experience throughout my career is in the field of biochemical engineering, working mainly in the valorization of biomass through fermentation or enzymatic processes.

2. What is your current research focus, and why did you choose this research field?
Currently, my main research focus is on the consolidated bioprocessing of biomass, which is an emerging technology where hydrolytic enzyme production, biomass hydrolysis, and fermentation are performed simultaneously in a single bioreactor. In addition, in my research group, we are also working on second-generation bioethanol, Industry 4.0 technologies applied to bioprocesses, cell and enzyme immobilization, and the production of high value-added bioproducts from biomass.

3. When and how did you first become aware of the open access Fermentation journal? How do you think open access impacts authors?
I became aware of Fermentation when I was searching the literature for recent work in my field and looking for a journal to publish my research. In my opinion, OA journals are good for broadening the reach of published articles, in addition to making articles more accessible to readers.

4. What are the key factors and aspects that you consider most when reviewing a manuscript?
I think that the clarity and organization of the manuscript together with a detailed methodology are key factors when reviewing manuscripts. Statistical treatment and a discussion of results and good-quality figures are also important features. Finally, the most important thing is to make clear the novelty and contribution of the manuscript to the field, especially for review manuscripts.

5. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
I believe that a good review report is based on well-detailed and justified suggestions or questions, always keeping the ethics and respect of the authors. In addition, I believe that to complete a good review, it is necessary that the manuscript is inserted in the field of expertise of the reviewer; I often decline review invitations when I feel that I do not have the necessary expertise.

6. What do you think of receiving the Outstanding Reviewer Award? What advice do you have for future reviewers?
I was happy and honored by the recognition. If I could give any advice, it would be to give the time, attention, and respect that we want a reviewer to give to our own work.

We are pleased to announce MDPI’s Transfer Service.

This service provides a convenient method of transferring your manuscript file, along with any reviewer comments, to another journal within our publishing portfolio.

We are committed to helping authors find the right home for their research, and we will provide authors with guidance and technical support through all stages of the transfer process. Authors will be able to choose to transfer in the following two situations:

1. Select alternative journals on submission.

2. Authors are encouraged to transfer manuscripts to other MDPI journals.

More details about the Transfer Service can be found at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/authors/transfer-service