Announcements
1 April 2025
Interview with Dr. Zhong (Marti) Hua—Winner of the Foods 2025 Travel Award
We are honored to interview Dr. Zhong (Marti) Hua, the recipient of the 2025 Foods Travel Award.
Dr. Zhong (Marti) Hua received his B.Sc. (2017) and M.Sc. (2019) degrees in food science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He relocated to Montreal in 2020 with the research group for his Ph.D. degree (2024) at McGill University and then to Ottawa in 2025 for his postdoc research at the Metrology Research Centre of the National Research Council Canada and the Chemistry Department at Carleton University. His research focuses on detecting chemical contaminants (e.g., pesticides, mycotoxins, and allergens) in agrifoods to ensure food safety and food security. He contributes to revealing detection principles, designing novel devices, and improving analytical methods to handle complex food matrices, utilizing various techniques and platforms (e.g., microfluidic “lab-on-chip”, functional micro/nanoparticles, and mass spectrometry), which have received many awards and recognition.
Dr. Hua shares his insights into innovative research findings and his academic journey, offering valuable inspiration for young researchers. Read more about the interview below:
1. The Foods team would like to congratulate you on this award! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and describe your current research direction?Thank you very much! I’m Marti Hua, and I graduated from the University of British Columbia (B.Sc. and M.Sc., in food science) and McGill University (Ph.D., in food science and agricultural chemistry). My research primarily involves the development of analytical methods and devices for detecting chemical contaminants in foods, since my undergraduate thesis and my current work focus on exploring mass spectrometry-based methods for detecting emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the agrifood system.
2. When and how did you become aware of the Foods journal? What inspired you to pursue research in this field, and what motivated you to apply for the Foods 2025 Travel Award?The Foods journal has always been a great source of inspiration and reference when I am exploring research specific to applications in food analysis and food safety. My passion for this field stems from the potential to improve food safety through innovative solutions, particularly by monitoring chemical hazards that typically draw less attention than those foodborne illness outbreaks caused by microorganisms. The Foods 2025 Travel Award will be a significant support for me to be able to share the last piece of my Ph.D. thesis project with the food safety community and gain valuable feedback from researchers and professionals at the IAFP Annual Meeting. This award is also a valuable recognition for my work, encouraging my continuous efforts in food-centered research.
3. How do you plan to promote the Foods journal at the conference? Additionally, what is your preferred method for sharing the journal with your community?I will include the Foods journal’s logo and information in my poster and oral presentations. I will also actively mention this travel award and introduce this valuable, open access journal to the meeting attendees. Sharing the journal’s information on the poster board and distributing printings of the journal’s information will be a direct way of reaching food scientists and graduate students attending the conference. I could also promote the Foods journal by reposting publication opportunities and future awards via social media.
4. Do you have any advice for other aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?What I would share with young researchers, particularly new students joining the food safety community, is to stay curious and open-minded, seeking practical solutions beyond scientific hypotheses. Also, building a professional network and seeking mentorship from senior members outside of your own sector would also be very beneficial.
5. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?It would be great if Foods could offer mentorship programs or collaborative platforms to connect senior and young researchers. This could foster knowledge exchange, broaden the view, promote collaborations, and enhance academic growth.
6. How would you describe your experience with our services and the journal so far?My experience with Foods has been excellent. The journal’s commitment to high-quality research, the timely dissemination of findings, and open access make it a valuable platform. I truly appreciate the opportunity to share my work through Foods and am grateful for the travel award support.
28 March 2025
International Day of Zero Waste—“Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, 30 March 2025
The International Day of Zero Waste, jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis.
Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land, and biodiversity loss, as well as pollution and waste.
This year’s International Day of Zero Waste, with the theme of “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions.
We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Applied Sciences, Atmosphere, Clean Technologies, Environments, Foods, Nanomaterials, Recycling, Resources, Separations, Sustainability, Urban Science and Waste, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding zero waste.
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“Recycling of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Waste Through Delamination with Recoverable Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents”
by Roberta Mastroddi, Chiara Samorì, Martina Vagnoni, Chiara Gualandi, Paola Galletti and Emilio Tagliavini
Separations 2025, 12(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020045
“Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment”
by Konstantina Ragazou, Georgia Zournatzidou, George Sklavos and Nikolaos Sariannidis
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040175
“Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments”
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063
“Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources”
by Priti Pal, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Sanjukta Subudhi, Prakash Kumar Sarangi and Piotr Prus
Foods 2024, 13(18), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183007
“Review on Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management—Challenges and Research Prospects”
by Noushin Islam, Malindu Sandanayake, Shobha Muthukumaran and Dimuth Navaratna
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289
“Enhanced Extraction of Carotenoids from Tomato Industry Waste Using Menthol/Fatty Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Despoina Vlachoudi, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Waste 2023, 1(4), 977-992; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste1040056
“Waste Management in the Smart City: Current Practices and Future Directions”
by Danuta Szpilko, Antonio de la Torre Gallegos, Felix Jimenez Naharro, Agnieszka Rzepka and Angelika Remiszewska
Resources 2023, 12(10), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12100115
“Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review”
by Wojciech Czekała, Jędrzej Drozdowski and Piotr Łabiak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158847
“Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Italy According to EU Directives”
by Patrizia Ghisellini, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
Environments 2023, 10(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070106
“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3D Concrete Printing and Casting Processes for Cementitious Materials Incorporating Ground Waste Tire Rubber”
by Matteo Sambucci, Ilario Biblioteca and Marco Valente
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010015
| “Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen and Dr. Daniel Lachos-Perez Submission deadline: 1 July 2025 |
“Waste Valorization and Management to Increase the Resources Sustainability” |
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“Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery” |
“New Trends in Liquid and Solid Effluent Treatment” |
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28 February 2025
World Seagrass Day | Grooming Youth—Blooming Seagrass, 1 March 2025
On World Seagrass Day, we celebrate the crucial role that seagrasses play in maintaining the health of our planet and highlight the urgent need for global action to protect them and the ecosystems they maintain. Seagrasses support food security, mitigate climate change, enrich biodiversity, purify water, protect coastlines, and control diseases. The enhancement of ecosystem services and functions are essential to the achievement of international Sustainable Development Goals. Raising awareness of the crucial role of seagrasses in ecosystem maintenance and facilitating their conservation is therefore of great importance.
In celebration of this day, we invite you to explore a selection of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues in the fields of environment and ecology. These resources aim to deepen our understanding of the importance of seagrass ecosystems and outline the necessary steps to conserve, protect, and restore these vital habitats. By fostering dialogue between researchers, policymakers, local communities, and other stakeholders, we can ensure that efforts to protect seagrasses are effective and inclusive.
Together, we can safeguard the future of seagrasses and, in turn, our planet.
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“Restoration of Posidonia oceanica Meadow Using Cuttings from an Area Impacted by Harbor Extension Project”
by Mario De Luca, Luigi Piazzi, Ivan Guala, Maria Francesca Cinti, Paolo Marras, Arianna Pansini, Federico Pinna, Alessandra Puccini, Antonio Santonastaso, Myriam Stelletti et al.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010003
“Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution on Seagrass Meadows and Ecosystem Services in Southeast Asia”
by Janine Douglas, Holly Niner and Samantha Garrard
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122314
“Seagrass-Associated Biodiversity Influences Organic Carbon in a Temperate Meadow”
by Lowri O’Neill, Bettina Walter and Richard K. F. Unsworth
Oceans 2024, 5(4), 874-888; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans5040050
“Diversity and Composition of Posidonia oceanica-Associated Bacterial and Fungal Communities: Effect of Boat-Induced Mechanical Stress in the Villefranche-sur-Mer Bay (France)”
by Sara Frasca, Annamaria Alabiso, Marco M. D’Andrea, Raffaela Cattaneo and Luciana Migliore
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100604
“Native and Non-Indigenous Biota Associated with the Cymodocea nodosa (Tracheophyta, Alismatales) Meadow in the Seas of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea)”
by Giuseppe Denti, Fernando Rubino, Ester Cecere and Antonella Petrocelli
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070368
“Spatial and Temporal Variation of C, N, and S Stable Isotopes and Seagrass Coverage Related to Eutrophication Stress in Zostera marina”
by Jerrica M. Waddell, Christina C. Pater, Michael R. S. Coffin, Robert F. Gilmour, Jr., Simon C. Courtenay and Michael R. van den Heuvel
Coasts 2024, 4(2), 419–436; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020021
“Intertidal Gleaning Exclusion as a Trigger for Seagrass Species and Fauna Recovery and Passive Seagrass Rehabilitation”
by Tsiaranto Felan-Ratsimba Fanoro, Maria Perpétua Scarlet and Salomão Olinda Bandeira
Diversity 2023, 15(6), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060772
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“Dynamics of Marine Communities—Second Edition” |
“Social Sciences in Marine Ecology Conservation” |
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27 February 2025
Foods Celebrates Editorial Board Member Prof. Dr. Roger Ruan’s Election to the National Academy of Engineering
27 February 2025
More than 300 MDPI Journals Indexed in Web of Science
MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines.
To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data.
This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide.
As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.
26 February 2025
Meet Us at the 1st International Congress on Sustainable Food (GreenNutriFood 2025), Green Chemistry and Human Nutrition, 7–9 April 2025, Dubrovnik, Croatia
20 February 2025
Foods | Invitation to Read the Editor’s Choice Articles from Q4 of 2024
17 February 2025
MDPI Celebrates Excellence in Medical Research with Early Career Researcher Awards
MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.
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Honoring Excellence in Research
The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:
Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:
- Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
- Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
- Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.
Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:
- Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;
- Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
- Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.
Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.
Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.
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8 February 2025
World Pulses Day 2025—“Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems”
World Pulses Day, observed annually on 10 February, celebrates the significant role of pulses in achieving sustainable food systems, enhancing global nutrition, and supporting environmental resilience. Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, this day builds on the momentum of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, which highlights their critical value for health, food security, and the environment.
Pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas, are nutrient-dense powerhouses that offer high protein content, soluble fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Their benefits extend beyond human health, contributing to soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation. Farmers worldwide rely on pulses for economic stability and sustainable agricultural practices, making them an indispensable crop for feeding the world while preserving the planet.
In recognition of World Pulses Day, we invite you to explore a selection of articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning fields such as agriculture, agronomy, biology, foods, and plants. By sharing these findings, we hope to celebrate these remarkable crops and their vital contributions to a healthier, more sustainable future.
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“Cereal-Legume Mixed Residue Addition Increases Yield and Reduces Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fertilized Winter Wheat in the North China Plain”
by Md Raseduzzaman, Gokul Gaudel, Md Razzab Ali, Arbindra Timilsina, Fiston Bizimana, Stepphan Okoth Aluoch, Xiaoxin Li, Yuming Zhang and Chunsheng Hu
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061167
“The Potential of Three Summer Legume Cover Crops to Suppress Weeds and Provide Ecosystem Services—A Review”
by Stavros Zannopoulos, Ioannis Gazoulis, Metaxia Kokkini, Nikolaos Antonopoulos, Panagiotis Kanatas, Marianna Kanetsi and Ilias Travlos
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061192
“Cereal–Legume Intercropping: Which Partners Are Preferred in Northwestern Europe?”
by Sofie Landschoot, Valérie Claeys, Eva Wambacq, Kevin Dewitte, Geert Haesaert and Joos Latré
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071551
“Identification of Fusarium spp. Associated with Chickpea Root Rot in Montana”
by Swarnalatha Moparthi, Oscar Peres-Hernandez, Mary Eileen Burrows, Michael J. Bradshaw, Collins Bugingo, Monica Brelsford and Kevin McPhee
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14070974
“Environmental Effects during Early Life-History Stages and Seed Development on Seed Functional Traits of an Australian Native Legume Species”
by Fernanda C. Beveridge, Alwyn Williams, Robyn Cave, Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian, Mirza M. Haque and Steve W. Adkins
Biology 2024, 13(3), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13030148
“Insights into Cold Plasma Treatment on the Cereal and Legume Proteins Modification: Principle, Mechanism, and Application”
by Bin Li, Lianxin Peng, Yanan Cao, Siyao Liu, Yuchen Zhu, Jianguo Dou, Zhen Yang and Chenguang Zhou
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101522
“Thaumatin-like Proteins in Legumes: Functions and Potential Applications—A Review”
by Lanlan Feng, Shaowei Wei and Yin Li
Plants 2024, 13(8), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13081124
“Do Conservative Agricultural Practices Improve the Functional Biological State of Legume-Based Cropping Systems?”
by Amira Aschi, Wassila Riah-Anglet, Sylvie Recous, Caroline Bailleul, Michaël Aubert and Isabelle Trinsoutrot-Gattin
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061223
“A Comprehensive Review of Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Chemical Composition, Processing, Health Benefits, and Food Applications”
by Ding-Tao Wu, Wen-Xing Li, Jia-Jia Wan, Yi-Chen Hu, Ren-You Gan and Liang Zou
Foods 2023, 12(13), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132527
“Contribution of Biofertilizers to Pulse Crops: From Single-Strain Inoculants to New Technologies Based on Microbiomes Strategies”
by Gustavo Ribeiro Xavier, Ederson da Conceição Jesus, Anelise Dias, Marcia Reed Rodrigues Coelho, Yulimar Castro Molina and Norma Gouvêa Rumjanek
Plants 2023, 12(4), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040954
5 February 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #20 - Beijing, Singapore, Bangkok, JAMS, Jisc
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
2024 Annual Meeting – Beijing (15 January 2025)
You haven’t truly experienced a New Year’s celebration until you’ve attended one of MDPI’s Chinese Annual Meeting festivities. This year I visited our annual meeting in Beijing, held on the 15th of January.
Imagine this: stepping into a banquet hall filled with 140 tables and about 1,400 colleagues from our Beijing offices, all gathered to share in a six-hour event. The agenda included year-end speeches and presentations, a variety of performances by our colleagues, a selection of awards honouring local employees for their work, group photos for the memories, and a dinner.
This may have been one of the largest events I have attended. For those unaccustomed to such an event, it might seem overwhelming, but it was quite the opposite. The atmosphere was one of celebration as everyone came together to support their peers and celebrate the achievements of 2024.
I was honoured to deliver the opening speech and a presentation highlighting our growth and investment in MDPI’s most valuable asset: our people.
“Our editorial teams represent MDPI at its finest”
I want to give special recognition to the editorial department, across all of our offices, which forms the heart of our business. These teams are the frontline communicators with our authors, reviewers, and guest editors, creating a smooth experience of processing our manuscripts. Their professionalism and kindness are often highlighted as key drivers of satisfaction with MDPI. For this, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our editorial staff, across every office. They truly represent MDPI at its finest.
Beijing is home to two of our offices, with just over 800 employees in Tongzhou and over 600 in Haidian. Thank you to our administrative teams and everyone involved in organizing these New Year’s celebrations across all offices. These events provide a moment to reflect on our shared accomplishments and appreciate the positive impact each of you has on our culture.
MDPI Offices in China
While the history of MDPI begins in Basel, Switzerland, the story of MDPI is very much rooted in China. Below is a list of MDPI’s current offices in China and their respective dates of inauguration:
- 2008: Beijing (Tongzhou, Haidian)
- 2013: Wuhan (Hankou, Guanggu)
- 2019: Tianjin
- 2021: Dalian
- 2021: Nanjing
To date, over 381,000 MDPI research articles have been published by authors affiliated with Chinese institutions, making China our largest market. This is reflected not only in the volume of publications but also in the scale of our workforce supporting local operations and contributing to global success.
While no new offices in China were launched between 2022 and 2024 due to the pandemic and strategic planning, we remain committed to future growth here. Our plans include expanding operations as we continue to build our global workforce.
We look forward to a year filled with continued collaboration, growth, and shared success.
“We remain committed to future growth in China”
Impactful Research
MDPI and Jisc Consortium Extend Open Access Agreement for 2025
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has extended its agreement with the Jisc consortium in the UK for 2025. This renewal strengthens our partnership with UK institutions and reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing open access publishing.
Jisc is the UK’s not-for-profit digital, data, and technology agency supporting tertiary education, research, and innovation. Through initiatives such as our agreement, Jisc helps institutions access essential digital resources and infrastructure to support researchers. Currently, 62 UK institutions are part of our Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) through this partnership.
Authors from participating institutions benefit from discounts on article processing charges (APCs), with even greater support for institutions that centrally fund APCs. This helps researchers focus on their work while simplifying the publishing process.
A full list of participating institutions can be found here.
As Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, puts it: “Extending our agreement with Jisc is a reward for the strong partnership we’ve built with research institutions throughout the UK.”
At MDPI, we are dedicated to making research more accessible while reducing administrative burdens for institutions and authors. Open access publishing is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to expand its reach in the UK and beyond.
Inside MDPI
Visit to MDPI's Singapore office
During my January trip to some of our APAC offices, I also had the pleasure of visiting our Singapore office for the first time. It’s exciting to see how much the team has grown, now numbering over 55 staff members, with more joining us in February.
Welcoming and Supporting New Team Members
“Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring new hires”
I had the opportunity to connect with both experienced colleagues and new team members who are currently embarking on their careers. This visit reminded me of what it was like when I was in their shoes. I encourage all of us to engage new colleagues with empathy, as we have all been in their position. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment, we can help them settle in and learn about the corporate world, MDPI and our mission.
Experienced staff play an important role in mentoring and guiding new hires, most of whom are transitioning from academia to their first job. I’m especially grateful to colleagues such as Colin Chen, Alicia Ren, Yu Nwe Soe, Colin Wee, Amy Cham and other senior members who have contributed to shaping the culture and work environment in Singapore.
Building MDPI’s Positive Reputation
During my visit, I spoke with the office staff about the importance of their roles in building a positive reputation that helps create trust in MDPI. I shared how every interaction and communication point contributes to the marketing of MDPI and our journals. I also highlighted the career development opportunities available as MDPI continues to grow.
Connecting with the Singapore Marketing Team
I also spent time connecting directly with the Singapore Marketing team, which has quickly grown to 15 young and ambitious members. They are eager to learn and are actively contributing to our journal and corporate marketing activities. I shared insights into our corporate marketing structure and strategy and look forward to supporting them as they grow.
During the visit, I was joined by my colleague Dr. Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, who provided training on indexing. This training was greatly appreciated by the local staff.
Meeting with Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta
Lastly, we had the privilege of meeting Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta, Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Technologies since 2016 and Section EiC of Metals.
Prof. Gupta is an active decision-maker for the journal and a great brand ambassador for MDPI.
Prof. Gupta has helped sustainably scale Technologies, which now has a 4.2 Impact Factor and a 6.7 CiteScore, ranking Q1 in the JCR category of Engineering and Q1 in the CiteScore category of Computer Science.
During our meeting, we discussed strategies for Institutional Open Access Partnership agreements and ways to promote MDPI journals in Singapore.
PS. During the visit, we also had the chance to participate in Lo Hei, also known as Yee Sang or the “prosperity toss.” This is a raw fish salad traditionally enjoyed during Chinese New Year and is particularly popular among Chinese communities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Everyone gathers around the table as the ingredients are added one by one, and then the salad is mixed together. It was a fun experience to take part in this New Year tradition!
Coming Together for Science
JAMS – Journal & Article Management System
I am excited to announce the official relaunch of JAMS (Journal & Article Management System), one of MDPI’s key initiatives to support academic publishers worldwide.
With this relaunch, JAMS now offers new pricing models and flexible solutions for small-scale journals, commercial publishers, and university presses. We have also redesigned the JAMS website to enhance the user experience.
“JAMS is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process”
Explore the new website here: jams.pub
It’s also great to see the JAMS team expanding our presence at conferences and on social media to engage more effectively with the academic community.
Recently, Facundo Santomé (Senior Marketing Manager) and Alex Ramos (Senior Marketing Specialist) represented JAMS at the APE 2025 conference in Berlin, highlighting how our platform empowers small and independent publishers to streamline and scale their journal management.
JAMS was built to change that by adapting to the unique requirements of each publisher.
At MDPI, we continually invest in our growth – not only by expanding our operations and staff but also by developing innovative products that serve the academic and publishing community at large. JAMS, with its comprehensive suite of journal management tools, is a testament to our commitment to simplifying the publishing process for our partners.
Imagine a submission system that frees up your time for strategy, innovation, and impactful publishing.
Under the leadership of Silvano Bonfatti (Product Manager, MDPI), the JAMS team has conducted in-depth market research to understand the challenges publishers face: endless administrative tasks, inefficient workflows, and systems that don’t always meet their needs.
If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.
What Sets JAMS Apart?
- Scalability – Whether you're a niche journal or managing thousands of submissions, JAMS grows with you.
- End-to-End Workflow – From submission to peer review and final publication, everything is in one place.
- Automation That Works for You – Say goodbye to chasing reviewers and formatting issues, so that you can focus on quality instead.
- Built by Publishers, for Publishers – JAMS is backed by MDPI’s expertise; we know exactly what it takes to run a journal smoothly.
- Flexible & Fair Pricing – Supporting journals of all sizes, with special rates for non-profits and publishers in the Global South.
Partners Who Already Trust JAMS
If you believe JAMS could benefit any of your network contacts, please share our website. Contact the JAMS team. They are always ready to assist with your publishing needs.
Closing Thoughts
Visit to MDPI's Bangkok office
To conclude my APAC trip, I had the pleasure of visiting our Bangkok office from 22 to 24 January. The office has grown significantly, closing 2024 with a total of 445 colleagues across various departments, including Editorial, Production, Conference, Training, Journal Relationship Specialists (JRS), Managing Editors, and supporting teams in HR, Admin, IT, and Finance.
I would like to praise our Bangkok management team for their excellent work in supporting our growth and creating a positive work environment. Our colleagues here are humble, talented, hardworking, and appreciative of MDPI’s mission.
Thailand was among MDPI’s top 30 markets in 2024 for total publications. With our office in Bangkok, we have an opportunity to further promote open access while supporting local researchers and institutions. This includes open access discounts, author training sessions, conference sponsorships, and other initiatives. We currently have 25 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) from Thailand and will work on expanding this network.
Engaging with Group Leads
“Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment”
During my visit, I met with our group leads to highlight their crucial role in managing journal performance and mentoring new employees, especially given our increased hiring targets. Many new hires are early in their careers and require training, development, and support. Group leads play an important role in creating a safe, positive environment that fosters professional growth while maintaining MDPI’s reputation for service quality.
To wrap up the session, I added a personal touch by holding the door and giving everyone high-fives – a small gesture to show appreciation, boost morale, and strengthen team spirit. It’s important for our colleagues to feel seen, heard, and valued.
University Visit: King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)
We also visited King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) to explore collaboration opportunities.
Our discussions focused on: Institutional Open Access Partnership (IOAP), Author training sessions, Conference sponsorships, Student employment initiatives, and more.
This visit reinforced the importance of building strong relationships with local universities, ensuring we continue to support and engage with the academic community in Thailand.
“My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring”
My time in Bangkok was productive and inspiring. The senior team has done a great job in growing the office and creating a supportive, high-performing environment. I look forward to seeing continued success from our colleagues in Thailand.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
