Announcements
4 March 2026
MDPI’s 2025 Best Paper Awards—Award-Winning Papers Announced
22 January 2026
“Do Not Be Afraid of New Things”: Prof. Michele Parrinello on Scientific Curiosity and the Importance of Fundamental Research
In atomic and molecular simulation, researchers have long-needed efficient ways to predict material properties in order to focus on the most promising real laboratory tests instead of redundant work. Addressing this challenge, Prof. Michele Parrinello introduced two transformative methods that have redefined the field: the Car–Parrinello method, which serves as a “virtual lab” for studying reactions and electronic properties, and the Parrinello–Rahman method, a cornerstone for crystal phase transition studies. His work has reshaped the way that we study atomic systems, earning him the status of one of the most cited scholars in his field.
To honor his enduring legacy and continued impact, MDPI has established the Michele Parrinello Award. This award celebrates innovation and recognizes senior scientists who have made outstanding contributions to computational physical sciences, spanning the fields of physics, chemistry, and materials science.
We had the great honor of speaking with Prof. Parrinello in an exclusive interview, where he shared his perspectives on his current research focus, personal scientific experiences, support for basic research, and his advice for global researchers.
Access the full interview to hear his insights in this conversation.
24 April 2026
Meet Us at the 3rd International Conference Mathematical Analysis and Applications in Science and Engineering (ICMASC’26), 21–23 June 2026, Porto, Portugal
24 April 2026
Prof. Dr. William Gerwick Appointed Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee
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.
16 April 2026
MDPI’s Newly Launched Journals in the First Quarter of 2026
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.
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New Journals |
Founding Editor(s)-in-Chief |
Journal Topics (Selected) |
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Prof. Dr. Matt Oehlschlaeger, |
AI-based chemical data analysis, prediction, and discovery; AI-enabled chemical reaction prediction, synthesis planning, and retrosynthesis; AI in bioorganic chemistry and chemical biology; digital twins and simulation of chemical processes; AI-powered chemical education and pedagogy | |
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Prof. Dr. Guang Jia, |
occupational hazards and exposure science; occupational health effects and susceptibility; occupational risk assessment and management; occupational health intervention, promotion, and policy | |
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Prof. Dr. Alessandro Miani, |
environmental exposures and health; the built environment and public health; One Health approach; environmental justice and health equity; environmental policies and interventions | |
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Prof. Dr. Miriam H. A. Bopp, |
neuroimaging technology and tool; multimodal neuroimaging integration and analysis; |
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Prof. Dr. Raul A. Urrutia, |
personalized translational and clinical oncology research that contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer diagnoses, prognoses, prevention, and treatment specifically for individual patients | |
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Prof. Dr. Pierre Boulanger, |
AI in disease detection, diagnosis, prediction, and treatment; medical informatics; AI in genomics and precision medicine; AI in drug discovery and development; |
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Prof. Dr. Zhaokui Wang, |
astrodynamics; spacecraft technology; satellite technology; space transportation; space vehicle design, propulsion, and avionics; space energy, power and propulsion | |
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Prof. Dr. Richard J Hauer, |
park design, planning, and evaluation; park and art; park, industrialization, urbanization, and civilization; park and education; park and smart society; park role in SDGs; park services for humans | |
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Prof. Dr. Stacey L. Connaughton, |
conflict resolution; peacebuilding; peacemaking; mediation, reconciliation, and transitional justice; sustaining peace | |
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Transferred Journals |
Editor(s)-in-Chief |
Journal Topics (Selected) |
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Prof. Dr. Gianluigi Vendemiale, |
physiology and pathology of aging; biogerontology; epidemiology; clinical geriatrics; pharmacology; geriatric nursing | |
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Prof. Dr. Michele Maffia, |
cellular and developmental biology; physiology, pathophysiology and endocrinology; diagnostic tools, therapies and public health | |
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Dr. Warren S. Joseph, |
foot and ankle medicine; podiatric medicine | |
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).
14 April 2026
MDPI Webinar | World Quantum Day—Session 3, 14 April 2026
MDPI is excited to announce a special webinar in celebration of World Quantum Day on 14 April 2026. This event aims to promote public understanding of quantum science and technology and to highlight their profound impact on modern society.
Date: 14 April at 2:00 p.m. CEST | 8:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 894 4233 6040
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-3
Register now for free:
Program:
|
Speaker |
Presentation Title |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST (Asia) |
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MDPI Introduction |
2:00–2:05 p.m. |
8:00–8:05 p.m. |
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Dr. Davi Geiger |
Quantum Phase Space Entropy and the Arrow of Time |
2:05–2:25 p.m. |
8:05–8:25 p.m. |
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Dr. Michael Parker |
The Quanta of Action and Entropy in Real and Imaginary Thermodynamic Time |
2:25–2:45 p.m. |
8:25–8:45 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
2:45–2:55 p.m. |
8:45–8:55 p.m. |
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Webinar Closing |
2:55–3:00 p.m. |
8:55–9:00 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic and institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Davi Geiger, Courant Institute, New York University, USA;
- Dr. Michael C. Parker, University of Essex, UK.
13 April 2026
MDPI Webinar | World Quantum Day—Session 2, 14 April 2026
MDPI is excited to announce a special webinar in celebration of World Quantum Day on 14 April 2026. This event aims to promote public understanding of quantum science and technology and to highlight their profound impact on modern society.
Date: 14 April at 8:00 a.m. CEST | 2:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 831 5594 6905
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-2
Register now for free:
Program:
| Speaker | Presentation Title | Time in CEST | Time in CST (Asia) |
| MDPI Introduction | 8:00–8:05 a.m. | 2:00–2:05 p.m. | |
| Dr. Marco Avesani | “Quantum Technologies for Secure Communications” | 8:05–8:25 a.m. | 2:05–2:25 p.m. |
| Dr. Lock Yue Chew | “Quantum Switch Refrigeration” | 8:25–8:45 a.m. | 2:25–2:45 p.m. |
| Dr. Dario Ferraro | “Opportunities and Challenges of Quantum Batteries” | 8:45–9:05 a.m. | 2:45–3:05 p.m. |
| Q&A Session | 9:05–9:25 a.m. | 3:05–3:25 p.m. | |
| Webinar Closing | 9:25–9:30 a.m. | 3:25–3:30 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic and institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Dario Ferraro, University of Padova & ThinkQuantum, Italy;
- Dr. Lock Yue Chew, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore;
- Dr. Marco Avesani, Physics Department, University of Genoa, Italy.
13 April 2026
MDPI Webinar | World Quantum Day—Session 1, 14 April 2026
MDPI is excited to announce a special webinar in celebration of World Quantum Day on 14 April 2026. This event aims to promote public understanding of quantum science and technology and to highlight their profound impact on modern society.
Date: 14 April at 4:00 a.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 873 5663 7014
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-1
Register now for free:
Program:
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Speaker |
Presentation Title |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST (Asia) |
Time in EDT (13 April) |
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MDPI Introduction |
4:00–4:05 a.m. |
10:00–10:05 a.m. |
10:00–10:05 p.m. |
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Dr. Ken Wharton |
Retrocausal Quantum Models: 10 Reasons to Take Them Seriously |
4:05–4:25 a.m. |
10:05–10:25 a.m. |
10:05–10:25 p.m. |
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Dr. Ruth E. Kastner |
The Quantum Defeat of Maxwell’s Demon |
4:25–4:45 a.m. |
10:25–10:45 a.m. |
10:25–10:45 p.m. |
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Dr. Anindita Maiti |
AI-for-Quantum needs Physics-for-AI |
4:45–5:05 a.m. |
10:45–11:05 a.m. |
10:45–11:05 p.m. |
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Dr. Pavan Hosur |
High-efficiency superconducting diodes - from critical phenomena to universal digital logic |
5:05–5:25 a.m. |
11:05–11:25 a.m. |
11:05–11:25 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
5:25–5:40 a.m. |
11:25–11:40 a.m. |
11:25–11:40 p.m. |
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Webinar Closing |
5:40–5:45 a.m. |
11:40–11:45 a.m. |
11:40–11:45 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic and institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Ken Wharton, Department of Physics and Astronomy, San Jose State University, USA;
- Dr. Ruth E. Kastner, University of Maryland, College Park, USA;
- Dr. Anindita Maiti, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Canada;
- Dr. Pavan Hosur, University of Houston, USA.
9 April 2026
World Quantum Day, 14 April 2026
World Quantum Day, observed annually on 14 April, celebrates the importance of quantum science and technology and raises public awareness of its role in shaping the future. The date 14 April references 4.14, the rounded first digits of Planck’s constant, a fundamental constant at the heart of quantum physics. World Quantum Day highlights how quantum research continues to expand our understanding of the universe while driving innovation across computing, communication, sensing, materials, and other emerging technologies.
In recognition of World Quantum Day, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to advancing cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Through open access publishing, we support the dissemination of discoveries in quantum science, applied physics, engineering, and related fields—ensuring knowledge is accessible and empowering researchers to contribute to the next generation of scientific and technological breakthroughs.
| Physics | ● Galaxies; | ● Photonics; |
| ● Atoms; | ● Magnetism; | ● Physics; |
| ● Dynamics; | ● Optics; | ● Quantum Reports; |
| ● Entropy; | ● Particles; | ● Time and Space; |
| ● Foundations; | ● Plasma; | ● Universe. |
| Computer Science & Mathematics | ||
| ● Symmetry. |
| Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 |
| Date: 14 April 2026 Time: 4:00 (CEST) Webinar ID: 873 5663 7014 Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-1 Register for this webinar for free here. |
Date: 14 April 2026 Time: 8:00 (CEST) Webinar ID: 831 5594 6905 Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-2 Register for this webinar for free here. |
Date: 14 April 2026 Time: 14:00 (CEST) Webinar ID: 894 4233 6040 Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWQDW2026-3 Register for this webinar for free here. |
“Quantum-Spacetime Perspective on the KM3-230213A Neutrino”
by Giovanni Amelino-Camelia, Giacomo D’Amico, Giuseppe Fabiano, Domenico Frattulillo, Giulia Gubitosi, Alessandro Moia and Giacomo Rosati
Time Space 2026, 2(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/timespace2010002
“Dynamics of Information Quantifiers in the Damped Rabi Oscillator”
by Flavia Pennini and Angelo Plastino
Foundations 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/foundations6010005
“Enhanced Quantum Dot Emission in Fibonacci Photonic Crystal Cavities Optimized for PECVD-Compatible Porous Silicon: A Computational Study”
by J. E. Mastache-Mastache, M. C. González, H. Martínez and B. Reyes-Ramírez
Plasma 2026, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma9010001
“Generalized Miller Formulae for Quantum Anharmonic Oscillators”
by Maximilian T. Meyer and Arno Schindlmayr
Dynamics 2025, 5(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/dynamics5030034
“Intertwined Orders and the Physics of High Temperature Superconductors”
by Eduardo Fradkin
Particles 2025, 8(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles8030070
“Electro-Optical Modulation of the Nonlinear Optical Response in a GaAs/AlGaAs Symmetric Multiple Quantum Well System”
by Carlos Alberto Dagua-Conda, John Alexander Gil-Corrales, Rebeca Victoria Herrero-Hahn, Miguel Eduardo Mora-Ramos, Alvaro Luis Morales and Carlos Alberto Duque
Physics 2025, 7(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics7020022
“Measurement-Induced Symmetry Restoration and Quantum Mpemba Effect”
by Giuseppe Di Giulio, Xhek Turkeshi and Sara Murciano
Entropy 2025, 27(4), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27040407
“Statistics of Quantum Numbers for Non-Equivalent Fermions in Single-j Shells”
by Jean-Christophe Pain
Atoms 2025, 13(4), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms13040025
“Quantum-Ordering Ambiguities in Weak Chern—Simons 4D Gravity and Metastability of the Condensate-Induced Inflation”
by Panagiotis Dorlis, Nick E. Mavromatos and Sotirios-Neilos Vlachos.
Universe 2025, 11(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11010015
“A Comprehensive Review of Quantum Circuit Optimization: Current Trends and Future Directions”
by Krishnageetha Karuppasamy, Varun Puram, Stevens Johnson and Johnson P. Thomas
Quantum Rep. 2025, 7(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/quantum7010002
“Magnetic Hopfions: A Review”
by Konstantin Guslienko
Magnetism 2024, 4(4), 383-399; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetism4040025
“de Broglie, General Covariance and a Geometric Background to Quantum Mechanics”
by Basil Hiley and Glen Dennis
Symmetry 2024, 16(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16010067
| “Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation” Guest Editors: Dr. Peng Xu, Prof. Dr. Dong Wang, Dr. Wei Xiong Deadline for submissions: 20 June 2026 |
“Quantum Theory 100 Years Later: Advances on Foundations and Applications” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Iver H. Brevik, Prof. Dr. Roberto Passante and Prof. Dr. Akbar Salam Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2026 |
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| “Superconducting Spin Dynamics and Quantum Effects” Guest Editor: Dr. Yunyan Yao Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2026 |
“New Horizons in Antiferromagnetic Spintronics: Exotic Ground States and Device Prospects” Guest Editors: Dr. Pingfan Gu, Dr. Yuxuan Peng and Dr. Shiqi Yang Deadline for submissions: 31 July 2026 |
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| “Quantum Technologies in Cold Atomic Systems” Guest Editor: Dr. Andrea Richaud Deadline for submissions: 31 August 2026 |
“Photoacoustic Imaging and Sensing: New Developments and Horizons” Guest Editors: Dr. Mario Siciliani de Cumis, Dr. Stefano Dello Russo and Dr. Jacopo Pelini Deadline for submissions: 20 October 2026 |
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“The 2nd Electronic Conference on Universe” Organizers: MDPI and Universe Volume Editor: Lorenzo Iorio
Click here to read the full list of papers. |
2 April 2026
2026 Tu Youyou Award—Open for Nominations
