Announcements

Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. This day highlights the critical role of meteorology in understanding and addressing global challenges, particularly the urgent threat of climate change. Climate change is a real and undeniable crisis that poses significant risks to our civilization. Its effects—rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting climate patterns—are already visible and will have catastrophic consequences if immediate action is not taken.

The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in strengthening early warning systems to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related disasters. Early warnings save lives, reduce economic losses, and empower societies to adapt to a changing climate. However, significant gaps remain in global coverage, particularly in developing regions.

Inspired by this mission and reflecting in line with Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action, MDPI’s established journals in the environmental and Earth sciences field serve as vital platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to close the early warning gap and build a more climate-resilient world.

Join us in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that strengthen early warning systems and address the impacts of climate change. Together, we can work toward a future where communities are better prepared, informed, and protected from the growing threats of a changing climate.

Invited speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Establishing an Early Warning System for Dust Storms in Peri-Desert Regions”
by Aishajiang Aili, Abdul Waheed, Xinfeng Zhao and Hailiang Xu
Environments 2024, 11(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11040061

“The Quality Urban Label and the 4Q City Model: Levers for Urban Adaptation and Climate Change Mitigation in Mediterranean Cities”
by Jordi Mazon
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040228

“Forecasting Convective Storms Trajectory and Intensity by Neural Networks”
by Niccolò Borghi, Giorgio Guariso and Matteo Sangiorgio
Forecasting 2024, 6(2), 326-342; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6020018

“Decoding the Atmosphere: Optimising Probabilistic Forecasts with Information Gain”
by John R. Lawson, Corey K. Potvin and Kenric Nelson
Meteorology 2024, 3(2), 212-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/meteorology3020010

“Climate-Change-Driven Droughts and Tree Mortality: Assessing the Potential of UAV-Derived Early Warning Metrics”
by Ewane Basil Ewane, Midhun Mohan, Shaurya Bajaj, G. A. Pabodha Galgamuwa, Michael S. Watt, Pavithra Pitumpe Arachchige, Andrew T. Hudak, Gabriella Richardson, Nivedhitha Ajithkumar, Shruthi Srinivasan et al.
Remote Sens. 2023, 15(10), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102627

“Features of Soil Organic Carbon Transformations in the Southern Area of the East European Plain”
by Fedor N. Lisetskii, Zhanna A. Buryak, Olga A. Marinina, Pavel A. Ukrainskiy and Pavel V. Goleusov
Geosciences 2023, 13(9), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13090278

“Exact Expressions for Lightning Electromagnetic Fields: Application to the Rusck Field-to-Transmission Line Coupling Model”
by Vernon Cooray, Gerald Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein and Farhad Rachidi
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020350

“Advances in Monitoring of Hydrological and Ecological Processes Under Climate Change” Guest Editor: Dr. Haibo Wang Submission deadline: 20 June 2025	“Integrating Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, and Process-Based Modelling for Monitoring Environmental and Agricultural Landscapes Under Climate Change” Guest Editors: Dr. Michael Gbenga Ogungbuyi and Dr. Dimitrios D. Alexakis Submission deadline: 28 June 2025
“Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Well-Being in Developing Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts and Economic Constraints” Guest Editor: Dr. Aya Hagishima Submission deadline: 30 June 2025	“Tropical Cyclones and Their Impacts (2nd Edition)” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Corene Matyas Submission deadline: 30 September 2025
“Early Career Scientists' (ECS) Contributions to Meteorology (2025)” Guest Editor: Dr. Edoardo Bucchignani Submission deadline: 30 November 2025	“Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Bioaerosol Detection, Characterization, and Modeling” Guest Editors: Dr. Salvatore Romano and Dr. Mattia Fragola Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Environ. Earth Sci. Proc., 2023, ECAS 2023 The 6th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences Online | 15–30 October 2023 Organizer: MDPI Atmosphere Volume Editor: Anthony R. Lupo, University of Missouri, USA Full list of the conference proceedings

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are pillars of global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. They are a vital source of essential foods for indigenous and rural communities, offering fruits, nuts, and other resources that are integral to their diets and cultures. Beyond food, forests are a cornerstone of sustainable energy, agriculture, and environmental health. They support pollinators, enrich soil, regulate the climate, and conserve biodiversity, making them critical to the balance of our planet's ecosystems. 

However, deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices threaten forests and the countless benefits they provide. In alignment with the 2025 theme for International Day of Forests, “Forests and Food” and Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action,  MDPI’s established journals in Section “Environmental and Earth Sciences” serve as vital platforms for scientific communication to recognize the urgent need to protect and restore these natural treasures. 

Join us in celebrating International Day of Forests and supporting initiatives that protect these vital ecosystems. Together, we can work toward a future where forests continue to nourish and sustain life for generations to come. 

Invited speakers: 

  Feel free to register for this webinar here! 

“Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach”
by Sanjeev Sharma and Puskar Khanal
Fire 2024, 7(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060205 

“High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure in Montane Coniferous Forests and Grasslands in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA”
by Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin Verble
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 830-846; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040049 

“Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico”
by Carlos Roberto Ávila-Acosta, Marivel Domínguez-Domínguez, César Jesús Vázquez-Navarrete, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech and Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi
Resources 2024, 13(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13030041 

“A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area”
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 

“Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review”
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Alexandra D. Solomou, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Ermioni Malliarou, Miltiadis Athanasiou, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Panos V. Petrakis
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071155 

“Assisted Migration of Sequoiadendron Genotypes for Conservation and Timber: Performance and Morphology in a Warmer Climate Outside of Their Range”
by Christopher M. Valness, William J. Libby and John-Pascal Berrill
Conservation 2023, 3(4), 543-568; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3040035 

“Analysis of Accelerometer Data Using Random Forest Models to Classify the Behavior of a Wild Nocturnal Primate: Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)”
by Amanda Hathaway, Marco Campera, Katherine Hedger, Marianna Chimienti, Esther Adinda, Nabil Ahmad, Muhammed Ali Imron and K. A. I. Nekaris
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 636-653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040042 

“Pinus contorta Alters Microenvironmental Conditions and Reduces Plant Diversity in Patagonian Ecosystems”
by Rafael A. García, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Lohengrin Cavieres, Ana J. Cóbar-Carranza, Kimberley T. Davis, Matías Naour, Martín A. Núñez, Bruce D. Maxwell, Jonas J. Lembrechts and Aníbal Pauchard
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030320 

“Characterizing the Change of Annual Cone Production in Longleaf Pine Forests”
by Xiongwen Chen and John L. Willis
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 220-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020017 

“Physiological Potential of Seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) Determined by the Tetrazolium Test”
by Jailton de Jesus Silva, Raquel Araujo Gomes, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues Ferreira, Claudineia Regina Pelacani and Bárbara França Dantas
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 208-219; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020016

Glaciers are essential to the Earth’s ecosystem, playing a vital role as critical freshwater reservoirs and key indicators of the planet’s health. They provide water resources for millions of people, regulate global sea levels, and support unique ecosystems and biodiversity. However, these icy giants are in peril. Increasing global temperatures are driving glaciers to shrink rapidly, resulting in water shortages, higher sea levels, and a greater likelihood of floods and landslides. Recognizing their immense importance, the United Nations has declared 21 March the World Day for Glaciers, alongside the International Year of Glaciers 2025. These initiatives aim to raise global awareness about the urgent need to protect glaciers and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Glaciers: Guardians of Earth's Future”, MDPI’s established journals in the fields of environmental and earth sciences will serve as leading platforms for scientific communication. These journals foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities, promoting innovative solutions for glacier preservation and climate resilience. By sharing cutting-edge research and actionable insights, MDPI contributes to the global effort to safeguard these natural wonders and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating the World Day for Glaciers and supporting scientific advancements that protect these irreplaceable guardians of our planet. Together, we can work toward a thriving Earth, where glaciers continue to sustain life and inspire awe.

Invited speakers:

	Dr. Abror Gafurov, German Research Centre for Geoscience, Potsdam, Germany Presentation: “Operational Cryosphere and Water Resources Monitoring Using MODSNOW: Examples from Central & South Asia”
	Dr. Danilo Godone, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, Perugia, Italy Presentation: “Geo-Hydrological Hazards Monitoring at High Elevation”

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Characteristics of Runoff Components in the Mingyong Glacier Basin, Meili Snow Mountains”
by Zichen Zhang, Lihua Wu, Jun Feng, Zhiwen Dong, Xiong Zhao, Yi Sun, Xiping Cheng, Liqin Dong and Tingting Liu
Water 2024, 16(7), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070937

“Comparison of Machine Learning Models in Simulating Glacier Mass Balance: Insights from Maritime and Continental Glaciers in High Mountain Asia”
by Weiwei Ren, Zhongzheng Zhu, Yingzheng Wang, Jianbin Su, Ruijie Zeng, Donghai Zheng and Xin Li
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16060956

“Reconstructing the Relative Ice-Flow Chronology South of Lake Mistassini in Canada from New Ice-Flow Indicator Mapping”
by Mohamed El Amrani, Khadija Diani, Mohamed Hafedh Hamza, Mohamed Elhag, Said Courba, Afaf Amine, Moulay Ahmed Ben Driss, Lahcen Ousaid, Nabil Mdiker, Youssef Hahou et al.
Limnol. Rev. 2024, 24(4), 450-465; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev24040026

“Extremely Cold Climate and Social Vulnerability in Alaska: Problems and Prospects”
by Elena A. Grigorieva, John E. Walsh and Vladimir A. Alexeev
Climate 2024, 12(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12020020

“Yearly Elevation Change and Surface Velocity Revealed from Two UAV Surveys at Baishui River Glacier No. 1, Yulong Snow Mountain”
by Leiyu Li, Yuande Yang, Shijin Wang, Chuya Wang, Qihua Wang, Yuqiao Chen, Junhao Wang, Songtao Ai and Yanjun Che
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020231

“Calculation of Black Ice Thickness and Heat Fluxes inside the Ice and at the Water–Ice Boundary in a Boreal Lake”
by Sergey Bogdanov, Nikolay Palshin, Roman Zdorovennov, Tatiana Efremova, Sergei Smirnov and Galina Zdorovennova
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(3), 138-156; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23030009

“Diversity and Variability of the Course of Ice Phenomena on the Lakes Located in the Southern and Eastern Part of the Baltic Sea Catchment Area”
by Rajmund Skowron, Pavel Kirvel, Adam Choiński and Ivan Kirvel
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(1), 33-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23010003

“The Influence of Glacier Mass Balance on River Runoff in the Typical Alpine Basin”
by Bin Yang, Weibing Du, Junli Li, Anming Bao, Wen Ge, Shuangting Wang, Xiaoxuan Lyu, Xin Gao and Xiaoqian Cheng
Water 2023, 15(15), 2762; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152762

“Mountain Cryosphere Landscapes in South America: Value and Protection”
by Sebastián Ruiz-Pereira, Voltaire Alvarado Peterson and Darío Trombotto Liaudat
Conservation 2023, 3(1), 232-246; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3010017

“Glacial Lakes and Related Hazards: Mapping, Monitoring, and Risk Assessment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yong Nie, Prof. Dr. Qiao Liu, Prof. Dr. Guoqing Zhang and Prof. Dr. Xin Wang Submission deadline: 15 July 2025	“Mathematical, Physical, Chemical, and Biological Methods for Ice and Water Problems” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Zhijun Li and Dr. Fang Li Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

1. Could you give us a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?
To be honest, I believe I have a complex and multifaceted personality. Regarding my research activity, I usually define myself as a sedimentologist and a quaternary geologist, with experience in coastal marine and continental paleoenvironments, and solid competence in stratigraphy and geological mapping. I entered the world of research late, as an adult, and this was one of the main obstacles to the possibility of an academic career. Despite this, I was lucky enough to meet people, within my university who believed in my qualities and who supported me as much as they could. I collaborated with research projects at the Earth Sciences Department (now the Department of Physics and Geology) at the University of Perugia (Italy) as a Research Assistant/Research Fellow (between 2003 and 2015), and I am still collaborating as an expert on the subject of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (from 2018 onwards). From 2019, my main job is as a tenured natural science teacher in a high school. I actually never stopped being an independent researcher, although my current work commitments do not leave me much time for study and research. On the other hand, having no time constraints, I can more easily indulge my interests and passions. During the last two decades, I have continued collaborating with Italian and foreign experts and researchers in several fields within geosciences, being involved in multifaceted research projects, leading to the publication of scientific journals, and the presentation of results in congresses and workshops. To be involved as a reviewer with MDPI has been a way to stay up to date with the advances in various fields within Earth Sciences.

3. What are your opinions about the scientific publication market and what do you think about the open access model?
I believe that the editorial offer in the scientific field is really wide and varied today. This guarantees the maximum possibility for researchers to publish the results of their work and the maximum diffusion of new ideas. Likewise, this allows for a remote dialogue within the scientific community. Open access is just an editorial choice and offers the possibility to further disseminate the results of research. This is what matters beyond the used media without sacrificing the quality of the product and its scientific merit.

4. Have you ever encountered any difficulties when you conduct research? How did you overcome them?
One of the main problems for researchers, at least in my experience, is the chronic lack of funding, especially for basic research, which risks clipping the wings of many bright minds. Laboratory analyses are often expensive, as well as long or far-field campaigns. Over the years, I have seen that it is possible to overcome the problem through a network of collaborations between experts in different fields, which still allows research to be conducted and the results to be published. According to my experience, I believe almost nothing is impossible with the right approach.

5. What qualities do you think young scientists need? What qualities do you think reviewers need?
I have always believed that dogmas cannot and should not exist in any scientific field. There are data, evidence, and theories that interpret them: this data-interpretation dichotomy should always remain clear and distinct. A good theory interprets a substantial amount of the collected data; new data will allow to confirm, modify, or reject the theory. This is the basis for scientific progress, and this is what I have always tried to convey to students at any level. Good scientific work does not find all the answers, but one that asks new questions. This is a phrase that I often heard pronounced in my formative years. Thus, I believe the main qualities scientists need are curiosity, passion for their field of research, and a rigorous methodological approach, the will to collaborate and discuss with other researchers also helps. Moreover, the honesty and humility to recognize one's limits and those of science, without forcing data into prepackaged models, is also relevant. Likewise, intellectual honesty is the main quality required of a reviewer. I mean, the ability to read and evaluate someone else’s work without preconceptions, proposing constructive comments, underlining any errors made and any critical issues. While respecting what is in any case the result of a research work, the reviewer should insinuate doubts, propose reflections, and sometimes direct on the best path while remembering the role of referee.

MDPI will be attending the 11th National Congress of the Chinese Society for Mineralogy Petrology and Geochemistry (CSMPG), which will be held in Wuhan, China, from 18 to 20 April 2025. The CSMPG 2025 is organized by the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry and co-organized by the School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, and Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The conference aims to facilitate academic exchanges in mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and related research fields.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Minerals;
• Geosciences;
• Sustainability;
• Resources.

If you plan to attend the conference, please pay a visit to our booth. 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://csmpg.meeting666.com/.

Glaciers are among the most important components of the Earth’s cryosphere, serving as natural reservoirs of freshwater, regulators of sea levels, and indicators of climate variability. Their role in sustaining ecosystems and human societies is unparalleled, yet they are increasingly threatened by rising global temperatures.

The scientific evidence underscores the alarming rate of glacier retreat, with profound implications for water security, sea-level rise, and the frequency of climate-related hazards such as floods and landslides. The loss of these ice masses not only disrupts hydrological cycles but also poses significant challenges to communities and economies worldwide.

Date: 19 March 2025 at 9 a.m. CET | 3 a.m. EDT | 4 p.m. CST
Webinar ID: 851 1794 7801
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/WDFG2025

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations made with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Speakers:

• Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany;
• Dr. Danilo Godone, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, Torino, Italy.

Dr. Sérgio Luiz da Silva is currently a researcher affiliated with the Laboratory of Parallel Architectures for Signal Processing (LAPPS/IMD) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil, and a collaborator of the Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISC-CNR), c/o Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia of Politecnico di Torino, Italy. He holds a Ph.D. in physics (2021), which he completed one year ahead of schedule, focused on statistical physics and complex systems applied in geophysical data inversion, as well as a master's degree (2016) in geodynamics and geophysics, both from the UFRN. He also obtained his degree in physics from UFRN in 2013. His primary research interests are in the analysis of data-centered geophysical problems, especially in the theory of inverse problems. From 2021 to 2022, he served as a researcher in geophysics in the GISIS group at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF). From 2022 to 2024, he served as a postdoc researcher at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. He was a member of the Organizing Committee of the SigmaPhi International Conference series in 2023. Dr. da Silva has published his work in several reputable journals, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in inverse problems and related fields.

1. What is your current research focused on, and why did you choose this research field?
My current research focuses on the inversion of geophysical data. In particular, on improving seismic imaging techniques, particularly for complex geological structures such as the deep pre-salt reservoirs in Brazil. These reservoirs, located beneath thick layers of salt, present unique challenges due to the complex geometry of the salt bodies, the high attenuation of seismic waves, and the presence of non-Gaussian noise in the data. My work involves developing wave-equation-based approaches and advanced computational algorithms to enhance the resolution of seismic images in these environments. This research is conducted in collaboration with multinational companies and academic institutions, aiming to overcome the technical barriers that limit our ability to accurately image these deep structures.

As I delved deeper into geophysics during my master’s and Ph.D. studies, I became particularly intrigued by inverse problems—the challenge of obtaining physical properties from indirect measurements. This led me to explore statistical physics approaches, which provided powerful tools for tackling these problems. Over time, I became increasingly interested in the computational aspects of geophysics, especially the development of algorithms to improve seismic imaging for complex geological structures. In essence, I chose this field because it allows me to combine my curiosity with the satisfaction of solving real-world problems.

2. Could you please introduce us to your research team, as well as how you came to the idea of becoming a scientist?
Our team at the Laboratory of Parallel Architectures for Signal Processing (LAPPS/IMD) in the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil, is composed of many engaged researchers working together to advance the fields of computing, communications, and geophysics. We are a multidisciplinary group whose expertise ranges from high-performance computing and numerical algorithms to machine learning and geophysical data analysis. Our team includes undergraduates, master's students, Ph.D. candidates, postdocs, senior researchers, and collaborators from academia and industry around the world, working together to solve complex challenges in signal processing and geophysics.

As for the idea of ​​becoming a scientist, it did not exist. In fact, I did not have a clear plan to become a scientist; my goal was simply to deepen my studies in physics and mathematics and better understand natural phenomena. During my undergraduate studies in Physics at UFRN, I had my first contact with scientific research through a scientific initiation project in Astrophysics. This experience was transformative; it showed me how physics could be applied to solve real problems and sparked my interest in science from a scientist’s perspective. Thus, I can say that my journey to becoming a scientist was a natural progression fueled by curiosity, interdisciplinary exploration, and a desire to make a significant impact. So, I worked in several areas and became particularly interested in geosciences. This interest grew during my master’s and Ph.D. studies, where I focused on statistical physics and complex systems applied to the inversion of geophysical data. One of the key moments that solidified my decision to become a scientist was realizing the potential of interdisciplinary research and the fact that we are always working on the frontiers of knowledge and contributing to the betterment of society through science and technology.

3. Could you please share with us your experience as a reviewer for Geosciences?
Reviewing for Geosciences has been a rewarding experience and has allowed me to contribute to the advancement of geosciences while remaining at the forefront of the latest research in the field. One of the most rewarding aspects is the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge work by researchers from around the world. This process not only broadens my own understanding but also keeps me connected to the global scientific community. As a reviewer, I strive to provide constructive and fair reporting in order to offer suggestions and critiques that will help authors strengthen their manuscripts.

4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?
Young scientists are the future of research and innovation, and their success often depends on a combination of technical skills, personal attributes, and a growth mindset. For young scientists to thrive, I believe they need to be genuinely curious and able to stay motivated, learn from mistakes and keep moving forward, and be resilient. In addition, critical thinking skills to analyze problems and evidence are essential. Finally, they should have a strong work ethic, seek guidance from experienced mentors, and build a professional network capable of providing support and engaging in collaboration.

5. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I am grateful for the recognition bestowed upon me by the Geosciences journal. This acknowledgment is not only a personal accomplishment but also a testament to the collaborative and supportive environment in which I have been fortunate to work throughout my career. I am grateful to the Editors and Editorial Board of Geosciences for allowing me to participate in the peer-review process. I take pride in my ability to contribute to the quality and integrity of the research published in numerous journals, as peer review is a fundamental component of scientific advancement. I would also like to express my gratitude to my colleagues, mentors, and collaborators at the Politecnico di Torino, UFF, and the UFRN for their continued support and guidance. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the broader scientific community. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from the dedication and innovation I have observed in the field of geosciences through my involvement with the work of researchers from around the world. This award serves as an incentive for me to persist in my efforts to advance science and to provide assistance to the upcoming generation of researchers. I am grateful for the opportunity to be recognized once more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Xiumian Hu has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeontology” Section of Geosciences (ISSN: 2076-3263).

Prof. Dr. Hu obtained his Ph.D. in sedimentary geology from the Chengdu University of Technology in 2002. In 2003, he joined the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering at Nanjing University as a faculty member. He has conducted postdoctoral and visiting scholar research at the Università Politecnica delle Marche in Italy and the University of Edinburgh in the UK. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Department of Geology and Planetary Sciences at Nanjing University’s School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, China.

In recent years, Prof. Dr. Hu has conducted systematic research and made significant advancements on key geological issues such as the initial collision between the Asian and Indian continents, the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean, the tectonics of sedimentary basins on the Tibetan Plateau, and the Mesozoic–Cenozoic hypothermal events.

He has received numerous prestigious honors, including recognition as a National Leading Talent (2017), as well as a Young and Middle-Aged Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation by the Ministry of Science and Technology (2016). He was also a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2015) and the Hou Defeng Award from the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (2012). He has served as Chair of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Projects 739 and 494 (Young Scientists’ Projects) and Co-Chair of the IGCP Project 609. Currently, he is serving as the Vice-President of the International Society of Palaeogeography, SEPM Ambassador for China, and the General Secretary of the Chinese Association of Sedimentologists.

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

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take on the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?

The Geosciences journal is an open access journal in the field of geosciences. It has already published several influential papers and gained a strong international reputation. Scientists in the field of geology need more academic publishing platforms to meet the demands of modern scholarly publishing.

2. How do you view the prospects of this Section? What are your thoughts on the future of these fields?

Sedimentology, stratigraphy, and palaeontology are crucial branches of geology. Whether we are looking at planetary and Earth evolution, biological evolution, geographic changes, climate and environmental shifts, or even natural resources and minerals, these fields play a fundamental role. Looking ahead, we hope to see more research on modern stratigraphy and sedimentary records, palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental studies across different time scales, and the application of big data and AI in geological research.

3. During your research journey, have you ever made a discovery that left a deep impression on you? Something that made you appreciate the beauty of geology?

Geology is both a historical and an interpretative science, filled with hypotheses and explanations that always carry some level of uncertainty. We may never uncover the full truth, but we can keep getting closer. The beauty of geology lies in fieldwork—going out again and again to gather crucial evidence. It is about piecing together the past from limited geological clues, like solving a mystery, and using that knowledge to predict the future and serve humanity. In my 20-plus years of geological research, I have always felt the profound beauty of geology.

4. What do you think of the journal's development and the open access publication model?

Open access (OA) is the direction that scientists around the world are working toward, as scientific knowledge should be shared for the benefit of all.

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