Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

Name: Dr. Diana Varaden
Affiliations: ¹ Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK; ² MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK; ³ NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
Research interests: air pollution exposure, participatory research, public engagement, risk perception and communication, and implementation science

“West London Healthy Home and Environment (WellHome) Study: Protocol for a Community-Based Study Investigating Exposures Across the Indoor-Outdoor Air Pollution Continuum in Urban Communities”
by Diana Varaden, Benjamin Barratt, Margaret J. Dallman, Adam Skillern, Munira S. Elmi, David C. Green, Anja H. Tremper, Michael Hedges, William Hicks, Max Priestman et al.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020249
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/2/249 

The following is a short interview with Dr. Diana Varaden: 

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
Thank you. I am a Lecturer in environmental social science and health in the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London. My background is multidisciplinary, spanning the fields of air pollution and social science. I am passionate about interdisciplinary research that bridges natural sciences, social sciences, and health, and particularly about creating opportunities for public participation in the research process. My research focuses on understanding the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities to inform more holistic and effective environmental and health interventions. Our recent publication presents a study protocol for a community-based project investigating exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution in urban settings, with a focus on households in West London that include children affected by asthma or allergies. 

2. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations in this research field?
One major challenge in indoor air quality research is conducting studies in personal spaces like people's homes. This requires participants' full consent and engagement, which can be difficult to obtain given the private nature of domestic life. Behaviors indoors are shaped by a range of factors—social, economic, cultural, religious—which further complicates research design and data collection.
Additionally, public awareness around indoor air pollution remains low compared to outdoor pollution, which can reduce willingness to participate or recognize the importance of the issue. Overcoming this challenge requires clear communication and community trust. 

3. What motivated you to conduct this research?
I am deeply motivated by the need to address the interconnected challenges of air pollution, public health, and climate change. These issues must be considered together, rather than in isolation, if we are to design effective and sustainable policies. There is a pressing need to understand the sources and health impacts of indoor air pollution, particularly in the context of emerging climate mitigation strategies like retrofitting homes for energy efficiency. Research in this area should explore not only technical feasibility, but also economic viability and social acceptability in order to deliver lasting benefits. 

4. How do you evaluate the research trends in your field, and what would your advice be to early career scholars?
Research in this space is becoming increasingly collaborative and multidisciplinary, as it needs to address complex, systemic, and interconnected issues. I would encourage young scholars to embrace interdisciplinary teams and actively engage the communities they aim to serve—not only as study participants but as contributors to research design and implementation. Incorporating lived experiences into research methodologies allows for the creation of more grounded and actionable solutions. This approach is crucial for developing interventions that are truly community-centered and capable of making a meaningful impact. 

Conference: The 34th Annual Meeting of the Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies
Organization: Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies
Date: 27–29 June 2025
Place: Chiba, Japan

MDPI journals will be present as exhibitors at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies, which will be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan, from 27 to 29 June 2025. The conference will be led by the “Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies" and co-organized by seven related societies. The aging rate in Japan exceeded 28 percent in 2018, and only the age group of 75 or older will increase in the future; by 2040, one in four people is expected to be over 75. In this unprecedented context of growing aging, leading institutes in Japan are comprehensively addressing issues such as Alzheimer's disease and homelessness. The importance of the Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies as a collection of multiple societies is increasing due to the country becoming super-aged; moreover, the problems of the elderly cannot be solved by a single field such as medical dentistry nursing, biology, or social sciences. The conference is held every two years, and the official website of the societies can be found at the following link: https://geront.jp/en/index.html.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Geriatrics;
• IJERPH;
• Healthcare;
• Nursing Reports;
• Diagnostics.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to visit our booth while you are there. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
• How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
• How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
• Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
• How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

Name: Dr. Biswadeep Dhar
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; ² Department of Human Ecology, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
Research interests: health behavior; health disparities; lifestyle health behavioral interventions

“Perceived Discrimination Is a Mediator of Rural Identity and Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity Among U.S. Adults”
by LaToya J. O’Neal, Lisa Scarton, Ara Jo, Biswadeep Dhar, Folakemi T. Odedina and Diana J. Wilkie
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030426
Article Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/426

Dr. Biswadeep Dhar is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an Associate Member of the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCI-designated), University of Maryland in Baltimore. His research focuses on health behavior, disparities, and lifestyle health interventions among vulnerable populations. We had the pleasure of speaking with him following the publication of his recent paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601).

The following is a short interview with Dr. Biswadeep Dhar:

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
Thank you! I am currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an Associate Member at the University of Maryland’s Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. My research focuses on behavioral health interventions targeting chronic diseases, such as obesity, and obesity associated diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, particularly among low-income, marginalized populations in the U.S. and globally. The paper we published examines the prevalence and risk factors of cardiometabolic multimorbidity—defined as the coexistence of at least two chronic conditions (like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension)—among underserved populations in the U.S. A key contribution of our study is identifying perceived discrimination as a mediating factor between rural identity and multimorbidity.

2. What were some of the major challenges and innovations you encountered during this research?
One significant challenge was gaining trust and access within diverse communities. Building relationships through community advisory boards and faith-based organizations is critical, especially when working across different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. Another challenge is securing funding, especially in the current climate of federal budget cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While we were fortunate to have funding for this study, sustaining such work often depends on state or foundation-level grants. In terms of innovation, our approach emphasizes culturally tailored, multilevel interventions that address both behavioral and social determinants of health, something I believe is essential to effective public health research.

3. What motivated you to conduct this research?
I am originally from India, and I have witnessed firsthand the gaps in healthcare access in both developing and developed countries. These experiences have fueled my passion to conduct meaningful research that not only identifies health disparities but also drives community-specific solutions. I aim to give back, first by being trained in the U.S. context and then by expanding this work internationally. Currently, I am collaborating with colleagues in Singapore and South Asia to design interventions that reflect local realities.

4. How do you see the research trends evolving in your field, and what advice would you give to early career researchers?
The field is evolving rapidly, especially with the integration of AI, digital data collection, and advanced analytical tools. Staying current is essential. I always tell my students—and remind myself—that learning never stops. Even as a faculty member/early career professional, I take online courses to stay up to date with emerging methods and software. For young scholars: learn, collaborate, and share. Do not underestimate your contribution—even as a student, you might bring fresh knowledge about new tools or approaches. Also, disseminate your findings beyond the academic bubble. Explain your work in accessible ways to your community. The goal is to create a real-world impact.

5. How was your publishing experience with IJERPH?
Publishing with IJERPH was a very positive experience. The peer-review process was rigorous and significantly improved the quality of our paper. Once accepted, the publication process was impressively fast. I also appreciate IJERPH’s commitment to visibility through initiatives like this interview—it is clear the journal values its authors and promotes research beyond the traditional boundaries of publication. As a first-time author in the journal, I hope to contribute more in the future.

Name: Dr. Emily Winter
Affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Touro University, 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036, USA
Interests: health policy; environmental policy; cumulative risk; community-based environmental assessment; policy design 

Dr. Emily Winter is an assistant professor at the School of Health Sciences, Touro University. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Dr. Winter was selected for the IJERPH Exceptional Reviewer List. We were honored to have an online interview with her on 17 April 2025 to talk about the review experience. 

Below is the full interview with Dr. Emily Winter: 

1. Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your current research topic to our readers?

My name is Emily Winter. I am a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and assistant professor at Touro University. My current research interests that I have recently published with MDPI center on a couple of topics. The first being intelligence and cognitive functioning, specifically infant and toddler cognitive functioning and developmental functioning. Secondly, and more recently, I have been working on some projects on aging and the cognitive aging process as well as the Flynn effect looking at the release of the new Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition. I also do some work on mind–body–health as well as eating disorder intervention in schools. 

2. As a reviewer, what are the three most important criteria for you to evaluate a paper (e.g., innovation, methodological rigor, academic ethics, etc.)?

A comprehensive review and understanding of the literature, especially having an updated perspective and nuanced understandings of the literature. Being able to weave in different opinions and updated sources is important. Good methodology is also something I look at, especially in the era of open science and the replication crisis. Really good methodology and adhering to best practices with confidence intervals, effect sizes, and the language that people use to talk about their findings are all important. The last important thing that I look at, especially as a clinician, is practical impact. What do these findings mean for children, youth, and families or the general public? And how can clinicians and practitioners or even people, in general, use information to implement into their everyday lives? 

3. How do you view the potential impact of “open peer review” (public reviewer identity and review opinions) on academic communication?

Something that is important to me in being a peer reviewer is feedback. Honest and clear, but kind, feedback. The purpose of feedback is to make aspects of the paper better and to make manuscripts the best they can possibly be, so they can have the most impact on our communities. Kindness, resourcefulness—that is something that is super important to me. Keeping the review open theoretically leads to honest, actionable, and kind feedback. Also, other people could benefit from the feedback and seeing the revision process, how it went, especially if you are writing a similar paper. 

4. Based on your review experience, which non-technical factors (such as paper structure, figure presentation, and depth of literature review) are most likely to affect the quality of the manuscript?

Literature review depth. Entering a project really understanding where the gaps are, understanding how your research team’s perspectives can fill those gaps, is really, really important. And being up to date with the most current findings too. 

5. In the process of reviewing papers on the same topic multiple times, have you summarized potential opportunities or limitations in this topic? How do these observations affect the further direction of your current research?

Yes, in that I like seeing how other people approach and talk about topics and getting to see various versions of the paper. You get to see how people make changes and how people respond to comments. As somebody like me, a scholar, who is going through the peer review process as an author too, it gives me a nice insight into things I never thought to include. It lets me include topics and ideas in my future writing. Or, when I get a comment like this myself, how can I effectively respond to it? I think the reviewing process is like this cyclical, synergistic process of your giving back to the field and your colleagues, and you are also learning a lot about a topic which then, in turn, makes you a better scholar. It is hand in hand.

Name: Dr. Maddalena Buffoli
Affiliations: Architecture, Built environment and Construction engineering (ABC) - Design & Health Lab., Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Research interests: climate change, climate strategies, urban health, health promotion

“Integrated Climate Change Mitigation and Public Health Protection Strategies: The Case of the City of Bologna, Italy”
by Isabella Nuvolari-Duodo, Michele Dolcini, Maddalena Buffoli, Andrea Rebecchi, Giuliano Dall’Ò, Carol Monticelli, Camilla Vertua, Andrea Brambilla and Stefano Capolongo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(11), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111457
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/11/1457

Interview Questions:

1. Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your current research topic?
Thank you so much for the interview. I’m Maddalena Buffoli, an Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano (the Polytechnic University of Milan), where I work in the Design & Health Lab in the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering (ABC), under the leadership of Prof. Stefano Capolongo. My research focuses on urban health and its intersection with sustainable urban planning and climate change. In this study, we analyzed the policies and strategies adopted by cities like Bologna, one of the 100 cities committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, to mitigate climate change and its impact on environmental and public health. Bologna is one of the first cities in Italy to submit its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Just to add, Bologna was also one of the first to submit its climate change contract, and it’s one of the first cities to submit its Climate City Contract, a strategic document outlining actions and investments to reach this goal.
This is one of the reasons we chose Bologna for our study. The study highlights methods for evaluating municipal policies that simultaneously promote environmental sustainability and public health, in line with the Healthy Cities approach, which is very important for us.

2. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations in this research field?
One of the main challenges in the Urban Health field is integrating health considerations into urban policies and climate strategies. It’s clear that climate change strategies and urban policies have significant impacts on public health, but there isn’t a clear framework to connect them. Most cities lack an integrated framework to evaluate the dual impact of these policies. Our study addresses this gap by providing a systematic method for mapping and analyzing urban planning documents to identify measures that address greenhouse gas emissions while promoting health. This methodology offers a replicable approach for other cities. It is a global issue. We are used to working in multidisciplinary teams, which is essential to tackle these challenges.

3. What motivated you to conduct this research?
My motivation comes from the growing need to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and public health in urban areas. Cities are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, but at the same time, they are home to various health risks, such as non-communicable diseases, and we need to use a synergistic multidisciplinary approach to make them healthier and more resilient. By 2050, 70% of the global population will live in urban areas, as noted in a Lancet article. This underscores the importance of creating healthier, more sustainable cities that protect and promote the health of their current and future residents.
Speaking specifically about Italy, Italy has a high population density, and we have 14 metropolitan cities and over 40 medium-sized cities, many of which are very close to one another, making it easier for people to move between them for working or living. In Italy, most people live in cities, but after COVID-19, they prefer to live in medium-sized cities, with populations of around 100–200,000, because the quality of life is more accessible and more affordable compared to large cities like Milan, Naples, or Rome. Rural areas and the countryside have fewer residents, and the population density is much lower, and the population is decreasing. People are moving to the cities, particularly the medium-sized ones. The key motivation for this migration is better access to health services, education, and job opportunities. That is why we need to build a new concept of cities that are both healthier and more sustainable for all.

4. How do you evaluate research trends in your field, and what are your suggestions for young scholars?
My advice to scholars is to adopt integrated methodologies that evaluate both environmental and health impacts, as we've done in our studies. I believe this is one of the key goals for the future of this research field. Multidisciplinary collaboration between urban planners, policymakers, and public health experts will be crucial in driving meaningful change.

5. How was your publishing experience with IJERPH?
I became familiar with IJERPH due to its excellent reputation, particularly for publishing high-quality, interdisciplinary research. As I mentioned before, the interdisciplinary approach is crucial to us, and we value that the journal has an international readership. This visibility is important for us, as we want our research to reach a global audience.

MDPI will be attending NWO Life 2025, which will be held from 27 to 28 May 2025 in Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands.

NWO Life is an annual scientific conference for life scientists that provides inspiration in many ways: Enjoy sessions with world-leading keynote speakers and researchers. Share your research with a diverse range of life scientists at all career stages. Gain new perspectives through fresh insights from other experts. 

NWO Life provides a platform for ease of access to scientific knowledge beyond your own field of study. The program for this two-day scientific conference is organized according to themes suitable for research in different contexts, making the sessions an ideal opportunity for gaining new insights. The conference caters to life science researchers at all career stages. Early career researchers will be given the opportunity to gain experience by presenting their findings, while more senior researchers will be able to discover new goals and forge new collaborations during plenary and poster sessions. There will be ample networking opportunities for all participants.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Biology;
• MPs;
• JDB;
• IJERPH;
• Organoids.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth and start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://nwolife.nl/.

Name: Dr. Yvonne Buunk-Werkhoven
Affiliations: Faculty of Medicine, Kauno Kolegija, LT-50468 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: promotion of oral health, oral hygiene behavior, oral discomfort, public health, social health, social psychology, behavioral sciences, applied research, interventions

Name: Prof. Dr. Abraham P. Buunk
Affiliations: Social Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands
Interests: social psychology

“A Two-Dimensional Scale for Oral Discomfort”
by Yvonne A. B. Buunk-Werkhoven, Dick P. H. Barelds, Arie Dijkstra and Abraham P. Buunk
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030415
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/415

1. Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your current research topic?
My name is Yvonne Buunk-Werkhoven, and I am an Associate Professor at Kauno Kolegija in the Faculty of Medicine in Lithuania. I am both a social psychologist and an oral hygienist. I earned my degree 15 years ago in the field of behavioral and social sciences. My current Public Health research focuses on the promotion of oral health, behavioral change in oral hygiene practices, and understanding oral discomfort. My work often explores the intersection between social psychology and oral hygiene, seeking ways to apply psychological theories to clinical oral health challenges.

2. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations in your research field?
A key challenge in our field is aligning psychological measurement tools with clinical practice. In behavioral science, we often rely on questionnaires and models but applying these findings in the clinic isn’t always straightforward. A real breakthrough comes when we manage to integrate both evidence-based and practice-based approaches, bridging theory with what’s truly needed in day-to-day patient care. The innovation lies in that dual perspective—scientific rigor combined with practical relevance.

3. What motivates you to conduct research in this field?
Initially, I worked as an oral hygienist and later transitioned into social psychology. This blend of backgrounds inspired me to better understand how people adopt and maintain oral hygiene habits. Changing health behavior is deeply personal and influenced by many contextual factors—culture, environment, individual differences. I’m especially motivated by the need to tailor interventions to specific populations, respecting their unique circumstances. For me, oral health is a key part of general health and social well-being.

4. How do you evaluate current research trends in your field, and what advice would you give young scholars?
Currently, the field leans heavily toward prevention, which is important, but I believe we also need to promote positive health outcomes. I encourage young scholars to shift focus from illness and care toward health and behavior. Starting from the premise that oral health exists by default—and is disrupted by various influences—can lead to more proactive, empowering research. Oral health impacts everything from physical health to self-confidence and interpersonal relationships. Young researchers should embrace holistic and behavioral approaches.

5. How did you hear about our journal, and what was your impression of the publishing experience with IJERPH?
We found the journal through Abraham’s involvement as a member of the Editorial Board. When we were looking for a suitable venue for our manuscript, he suggested submitting it to IJERPH. The publishing experience was excellent—the reviewer comments were especially constructive and helped us refine our work. One reviewer even remarked on the potential impact of our research on dental clinical practice. We were also pleased to see our adapted measurement scale receive positive attention. While the editorial system could be simplified a bit, overall, we’re very happy with the process and plan to submit more work soon.

Name: Dr. Doris Yuet Lan Leung
Affiliations: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: qualitative research, mental health, palliative end-of-life, cultural sensitivity

“The Risk Perception of the Chinese Diaspora during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Targeting Cognitive Dissonance through Storytelling”
by Doris Yuet Lan Leung, Shoilee Khan, Hilary Hwu, Aaida Mamuji, Jack Rozdilsky, Terri Chu and Charlotte Lee
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050556
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/556

1. Congratulations on your published paper! Could you introduce yourself and your current research to our readers?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my work! I am an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic School of Nursing, where I have been involved in research on social vulnerability for the past ten years. Social vulnerability refers to the combination of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors—such as income, immigrant status, and age—that place individuals at greater risk of poor health outcomes.
My research also focuses on educating healthcare professionals in cultural sensitivity, both in practice and research.

2. What are the major challenges and breakthrough innovations in this research field?
Traditionally, social and psychological research has been dominated by quantitative methods, but my work is primarily qualitative, collecting and analyzing personal narratives.
One breakthrough in my research has been the adoption of critical realism, a theoretical lens that examines how social structures and personal choices intersect in healthcare. This approach helps explain why health outcomes vary among different groups despite similar circumstances. Critical realism allows me to combine subjective and objective evidence to understand how people cope with adversity. While this framework has been around since the 1990s, it remains relatively underutilized in my field, making it an exciting area for exploration.

3. Speaking of adversity, could you elaborate on what types you focus on in your research?
When I talk about adversity, I refer to the social factors that create vulnerability—especially stigma. Stigma can take many forms, including public stigma, self-stigma, and structural stigma embedded within healthcare policies and practices.
For example, many healthcare norms and institutional policies are shaped by social structures that dictate how patients are treated. When individuals experience social vulnerability—whether due to economic barriers, immigration status, or age—these structures can intensify adversity. My research examines how such stigma affects patient experiences and how we can create pathways for resilience.

4. What motivates you to pursue this research?
Much of my inspiration comes from personal experience. I am a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience primarily in psychosocial mental health. Being a third-generation Chinese–Canadian has also shaped my perspective on cultural influences in healthcare.
Through my work, I collect and analyze personal narratives to understand stigma and its effects. My Ph.D. research focused on palliative and end-of-life care, which also carries cultural stigma. This combination of interests naturally led me to investigate how stigma operates as a form of adversity in healthcare.

5. How do you see the future of research in your field? What advice would you give to new scholars?
The field is evolving to acknowledge the complexity of healthcare decision-making. Historically, research has oversimplified these complexities, but we need more theoretical models that address how social vulnerabilities shape health outcomes.
For new scholars, my biggest advice is start with your passion. A Ph.D. is a long and intense journey, and your research should be something you deeply care about, as it will likely shape your career for decades.
Additionally, researchers should focus on intersections—for example, how stigma influences whether people disclose mental health conditions. While promoting openness is generally beneficial, some individuals face real risks in disclosing their conditions due to social and structural barriers. Understanding these complexities is essential for driving meaningful change.

6. How did you learn about IJERPH, and what was your experience with the editorial process?
I first learned about IJERPH through a Ph.D. student I co-authored a paper with. She had a great experience publishing in the journal, which led me to submit my own work here.
I’ve found the editorial process to be efficient and professional. Compared to other journals, where reviews can take six to nine months, IJERPH has a fast response time of two to three months, which is incredibly valuable for researchers.
I also appreciate that the journal welcomes diverse methodologies, including qualitative research like mine, and allows a reasonable word count—essential for conveying the depth of qualitative studies.