Announcements

On 14 March 2026, MDPI Canada hosted the first North American subject workshop entitled “Building Resilient Public Health Systems: Equity, One Health and Innovation for Population Well-Being”. This event brought together nearly fifty students and experts in the field of public health to discuss the latest research findings and current hot topics. This meeting was held at the Park Hyatt Toronto located in the university district and provided a platform for scientific exchange.

Our workshop host, Summer Huggard, Operations Manager of MDPI Canada, opened the event with an introduction to our conference chairs, Dr. Jamie Seabrook of Western University and Dr. Peizhong Peter Wang of Memorial University of Newfoundland & the University of Toronto. Our co-chairs welcomed our attendees the event, outlining the four subtopics of the workshop, youth mental health and substance use, barriers to healthcare access and utilization, public health policy and systems innovation, and mental health among immigrant and newcomer populations, and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing public health challenges. MDPI Canada’s Operating Director, Elvis Wang, then thanked all contributors and spoke about MDPI’s core principles of transparency, trusted service, integrity, and role in promoting excellence and advancing open science.

The day’s presentations were full of exciting discussion as twelve speakers spoke about their research findings. These twelve presenters included Dr. Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Dr. Michèle Preyde, Mr. Andre Watkis, Dr. April Joy Damian, Dr. Jamie Seabrook, Dr. Peizhong Peter Wang, Dr. Ester Villalonga Olives, Dr. Lu Wang, Dr. Lixia Yang, Dr. James Chow, Dr. Lanyan Chen, and Ms. Victoria Babysheva.

The reports given covered many interesting topics, such as the importance of inpatient and outpatient research in implementing assessment tools for youth populations, how inclusive organizational culture in the trades can help support worker mental health, and the critical role early relationships play in a child’s long-term health and development. With talks covering hot topics, such as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and its effects on youth mental health, disparities in healthcare access for Chinese immigrants in Canada, the challenges of using measures developed for one population in another regarding race and culture, and how to better create policies for health equity, this event provided a platform for insightful discussions.

The second half of the day began with presentations covering mixed-method approaches when combining traditional healthcare practices with current practices to aid in the access to healthcare, the increase in anxiety and depression among Chinese immigrants in the wake of COVID, and the use of LLMs to enhance patient care. Our speaker talks concluded with presentations on the Eurocentric bias among the Canadian healthcare system and the need for diversification in perspectives, as well as how understanding and implementing systems thinking can improve human resource management.

Dr. Barnaby Crook, a representative of MDPI, introduced MDPI’s Clinical Medicine and Healthcare subject and discussed relevant publishing trends in the public health field. His presentation allowed audience members to gain greater insight into how MDPI’s journals can support researchers whose work falls within this subject and provided transparency regarding MDPI’s practices.

During the day’s proceedings, multiple Q&A sessions were held, allowing valuable engagement between speakers and attendees to occur. During these discussions, audience members could further develop conversations around addressing social determinants of health, leveraging virtual care, relationships between traditional and mainstream medicine, and more. These sessions were a highlight of the event and helped build a platform for meaningful scientific exchange.

Looking Ahead

The MDPI 2026 Toronto Subject Workshop Building Resilient Public Health Systems: Equity, One Health and Innovation for Population Well-Being was a successful collaboration between MDPI and local academics. We are thankful to all attendees for their part in making this event possible and for contributing to its success.

We have received positive feedback regarding this event and look forward to continuing to host these subject workshops with the Los Angeles Subject Workshop “Cutting-Edge Advances in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy: From Basic Science to Clinical Impact” in May. For more updates regarding this event and other upcoming workshops, follow MDPI Canada on LinkedIn.

MDPI was pleased to collaborate with the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University on 13 March 2026 for a productive workshop focused on advancing academic publishing and scholarly communication. The session brought together specialists and participants to discuss emerging trends and developments across scientific disciplines. Through engaging discussions and knowledge exchange, attendees gained practical insights into scientific writing, responding to reviewer feedback, and understanding common reasons for manuscript rejection during the initial editorial assessment. This collaboration highlights the shared commitment of MDPI and the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Chulalongkorn University, to fostering interdisciplinary research and promoting excellence in global academic output. Faculty members, researchers, and students actively engaged in conversations around high-impact publishing and effective research communication.

Assoc. Prof. Puree Anantachoti, Program Director of the Master of Science Program in Research for Enterprise, Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, delivered the opening speech at the beginning of the event. In her remarks, Assoc. Prof. Puree expressed appreciation to MDPI for participating in the session and supporting the academic development of graduate students. She emphasized that completing their degree is the most important goal for graduate students, and that publishing a research paper is often a key requirement for graduation. Therefore, it is essential for students to understand the entire publication process—from selecting an appropriate journal, preparing a manuscript, to submitting their work—since each journal and publisher has different requirements and procedures. She also highlighted the importance of being aware of publication costs. Finally, she encouraged students to maximize the outcomes of their research, noting that producing more than one publication from a single research project would be even more beneficial for their academic progress.

In the session on MDPI and journal introduction, Ms. Rattikan Pancharoen, the Section Managing Editor, provided an overview of MDPI, highlighting its core values, global collaborations, journal scope and indexing. She introduced the Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) and outlined MDPI’s global partnerships and researcher support initiatives. She also presented global publication trends and shared insights on Chulalongkorn University, particularly in pharmaceutical sciences including the MDPI journals most frequently published in by its researchers. Finally, she provided an overview of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and its relevance to Social and Administrative Pharmacy.

The second session, “How to Write Scientific Papers”, was presented by Dr. Juthathip Poofery, Editorial Team Leader and Regional Journal Relations Specialist. The session began with key steps in preparing a manuscript and then explained the structure of a scientific paper, including the front matter, main text, and back matter. Particular emphasis was placed on writing a clear introduction that identifies research gaps, describing methods in sufficient detail to ensure reproducibility, and distinguishing between the objective presentation of results and their interpretation in the discussion section. The session also highlighted methodological considerations and result reporting for systematic review articles. Participants showed particular interest in selecting effective keywords, writing impactful conclusions, and properly disclosing potential conflicts of interest, especially regarding the role of research funders.

The third session, titled “How to Respond to Peer Reviewers and Reasons for Rejection during Pre-Check”, was presented by Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana, a Regional Journal Relations Specialist. She discussed the peer-review process at MDPI and guided through how to revise the manuscript professionally. This session also included the common rejected reasons at pre-check. During the session, she addressed the questions raised. Some participants inquired about how to respond to contradictory comments from different reviewers, while others agreed that the author could disagree with the concern. She also offered practical advice for responding to reviewers and shared insights into the types of feedback authors may face during revisions. In conclusion, she encouraged the audience to remain positive, open-minded, and professional when replying to reviewers.

The final session, titled “Publication Ethics for Authors”, was presented by Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon, Regional Journal Relations Specialist at the MDPI Bangkok Office. She opened with a discussion on the significance of upholding ethical principles throughout the research and publication process. She then guided the audience through typical ethical concerns encountered in scholarly publishing, alongside an overview of MDPI’s policies and standards. The session also touched on the growing use of AI in research, with particular attention to the ethical considerations and potential risks involved. In closing, Ms. Ploy introduced the procedures followed by MDPI when addressing ethical issues discovered after publication, offering participants a clearer understanding of how such cases are managed.

Following the successful conclusion of the workshop at the Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Chulalongkorn University, we celebrate a day of fruitful dialogue and mutual learning. This event has further strengthened the ties between MDPI and Chulalongkorn University, while laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and future opportunities for academic advancement.

Conference: Asia–Pacific Vaccine and Immunotherapy Congress 2026 (APVIC 2026)
Date: 6–8 May 2026
Location: Matrix, Biopolis, Singapore

Join us in Singapore for the Asia–Pacific Vaccine and Immunotherapy Congress (APVIC) 2026!
This international congress brings together leading scientists, clinicians, researchers, and industry experts working at the forefront of vaccinology, immunology, and immunotherapy.

APVIC 2026 will serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, covering cutting-edge research in vaccine development, immune responses, infectious diseases, cancer immunotherapy, translational medicine, and public health strategies. The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthen partnerships across academia, healthcare, and industry in the Asia–Pacific region and beyond.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, share insights, and contribute to the advancement of vaccine and immunotherapy research. Register now and be part of this vibrant scientific community.

The following journals will represent MDPI at the conference:

• Vaccines;
• Viruses;
• Antibodies;
• Antioxidants;
• Biologics;
• COVID;
• Immuno;
• IJERPH;
• JPM;
• Proteomes.

If you are planning to attend APVIC 2026, feel free to reach out and start a conversation with us. Our team looks forward to meeting you in person and will be happy to discuss publishing opportunities or answer any questions that you may have.

World Water Day celebrates water and inspires action to address the global water crisis. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation, the day highlights the importance of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

This year’s theme, “Water and Gender”, emphasizes the critical role that gender equality plays in achieving water security. Around the world, women and girls are often disproportionately affected by water scarcity, as they are commonly responsible for water collection and household water management. Recognizing and empowering their participation in water governance, decision-making, and resource management is essential to building equitable and sustainable water systems.

On this World Water Day, let us acknowledge the intersection of water access and gender equality, and work collectively toward inclusive solutions that ensure safe and reliable water for all.

In recognition of World Water Day, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning fields such as environmental science, public health, engineering, and sustainability. By sharing this knowledge, we aim to inspire positive action and foster collaboration to address global water challenges, promote gender-inclusive water governance, and advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

Chair and Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. Sharon Megdal, University of Arizona, USA	Dr. Laura Imburgia, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme, Italy	Dr. Róisín Burke, Utrecht University, The Netherlands	Dr. Heather Tanana, University of Denver, USA	Prof. Dr. Corrine Schuster-Wallace, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Consequences of the Construction of a Small Dam on the Water Quality of an Urban Stream in Southeastern Brazil”
by Lucas Galli do Rosário, Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki and Luis César Schiesari
Limnol. Rev. 2025, 25(4), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev25040048

“Modeling of Real-Time Water Levels and Mapping of Storm Tide Pathways: A Collaborative Effort to Respond to the Threats of Coastal Flooding”
by Joseph Dellicarpini, Mark Borrelli, Stephen T. Mague and Stephen McKenna
Coasts 2025, 5(4), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts5040036

“Transforming Water Research Through Human Rights-Based Approaches: A Framework for Implementation”
by Leonie J. Pearson, Vachararutai Boontinand and Phan Thanh Thanh
Water 2025, 17(10), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17101418

“Water Vulnerability in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur Districts of Bangladesh: The Role of Textile Dye Production”
by Kamille Hüttel Rasmussen, Martiwi Diah Setiawati and Kamol Gomes
Water 2025, 17(16), 2475; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162475

“Investigating the Gender-Climate Nexus: Strengthening Women’s Roles in Adaptation and Mitigation in the Sidi Bouzid Region”
by Houda Mazhoud, Arij Boucif, Abir Ouhibi, Lobna Hajji-Hedfi and Fraj Chemak
Climate 2025, 13(8), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13080164

“Hydrofeminist Life Histories in the Aconcagua River Basin: Women’s Struggles Against Coloniality of Water”
by María Ignacia Ibarra
Histories 2025, 5(3), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/histories5030031

“Empowering Women, Enhancing Health: The Role of Education in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) and Child Health Outcomes”
by Aminata Kilungo, Mark Bayer, Zoe Baccam, Hamisi Malebo and Halima Alaofe
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050706

“From Flood Mitigation to Environmental and Socioeconomic Disruption: A Case Study of the Langue de Barbarie Sand Spit Breach”
by Souleymane Fall
Hydrology 2025, 12(4), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology12040097

“A Decision Support System for Managed Aquifer Recharge Through Non-Conventional Waters in the South of the Mediterranean”
by Rym Hadded, Mongi Ben Zaied, Fatma Elkmali, Giulio Castelli, Fethi Abdelli, Zouhaier Khabir, Khaled Ben Zaied, Elena Bresci and Mohamed Ouessar
Resources 2025, 14(4), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14040063

“Sustainable Water Management Practices in Agriculture: The Case of East Africa”
by Meseret Dawit Teweldebrihan and Megersa Olumana Dinka
Encyclopedia 2025, 5(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5010007

“Water Resources Allocation, Planning, and Regulation for Sustainable Management” Guest Editor: Dr. Carina Almeida Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2026	“Freshwater Microbiology and Public Health” Guest Editor: Dr. Akebe Luther King Abia Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026
“Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Water Resources—2nd Edition” Guest Editors: Dr. Barbara Ruffino, Dr. Katarzyna Pietrucha-Urbanik and Dr. Giuseppe Campo Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026	“Advances in Water Management and Water Policy Research, 2nd Edition” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Olcay Ünver Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2026

On behalf of MDPI, we are pleased to extend a personal invitation to you to attend the MDPI subject workshop.

To further promote in-depth dialogue among experts and scholars in the field of global public health and advance academic exchange, MDPI Canada will host a workshop themed “Building Resilient Public Health Systems: Equity, One Health and Innovation for Population Well-Being” on 14 March 2026. We cordially invite you to participate!

Date: 14 March 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location: Ballroom C, Park Hyatt Toronto (4 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON)

Workshop Co-Chairs:

Dr. Jamie Seabrook Western University, Canada	Dr. Peizhong Peter Wang Memorial University of Newfoundland and University of Toronto, Canada

Workshop program:

This workshop aims to provide a platform for researchers in public health-related fields to exchange academic findings, discuss cutting-edge issues, and share research experiences. There is no registration fee required, and coffee breaks and lunch will be provided during the workshop. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses.

If you are interested in attending, please submit your registration form via the link below. If you know others who might be interested in receiving this invitation, please forward it to them. There will be a confirmation email sent by our team members once the registration is successful.

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/e/k3KcDK5ReN.

Registration deadline: 10 March 2026.

Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, please contact us via email eventplanning@mdpi.com.

We look forward to your participation!

MDPI Canada

MDPI will be attending the 129th Annual Meeting of the Japan Pediatric Society, which will be held from 17 to 19 Apr 2026 in Shimonoseki, Japan.

The Japan Pediatric Society was established on December 3, 1896, on the same day as the founding meeting of the Pediatric Research Society at the Nihon-bashi Kairakuen in Tokyo, and such was later recognized as the first general meeting. Previously (1890), several physicians working in the field of pediatrics at the Tokyo Imperial University had met under the name of the “Mumei-kai”. Two years later, the name was changed to the with the participation of Prof. Osa Hirota of the Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Imperial University. The society had 45 members nationwide in 1895 and published 100 copies of the first edition of its official journal entitled “Pediatrics”.

The following open access journals will be represented at this conference:

• JCM;
• IJERPH;
• Pediatric Reports;
• Children;
• Women;
• Allergies;
• Medicina;
• Diseases;
• Epidemiologia.

If you are planning to attend this event, please feel free to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We look forward to meeting you in person and will assist you with any queries that you may have.

For more information about this conference, please visit the official website via https://site2.convention.co.jp/129jps/index.html.

Conference: American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2026
Organization: American Psychiatric Association
Date: 16–20 May 2026
Place: San Francisco, USA

In a time when psychiatrists face increasing administrative demands, workforce shortages, and rapid changes in how care is delivered, the 2026 Annual Meeting theme, “Empowering the Psychiatric Workforce: Taking Control of Our Practices One Step at a Time”, captures both the challenges and opportunities ahead. It is a call to focus on what each of us can do, day by day, to strengthen our profession and the care we provide.

Empowerment begins with small, deliberate actions. It happens when psychiatrists find new ways to simplify processes, build more collaborative teams, or advocate for systems that support meaningful, patient-centered care. By taking ownership of these incremental changes, we begin to transform not only our practices, but also our collective confidence in shaping the future of mental health.

The 2026 Annual Meeting in San Francisco will highlight practical, evidence-based approaches to navigating today’s complex environment, through workshops, discussions, and shared strategies that meet psychiatrists where they are. It is an opportunity to connect, learn, and reenergize our sense of purpose.

MDPI will be attending the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2026. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Children;
• Healthcare;
• Psychiatry International;
• Adolescents;
• Behavioral Sciences;
• CTN;
• Disabilities;
• EJIHPE;
• IJERPH;
• NeuroSci;
• Nursing Reports;
• Psychoactives;
• Psychology International;
• Sexes.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to visit 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 official website: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting.

Conference: 35th International Congress of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care
Date: 16–19 June 2026
Location: Valletta, Malta

MDPI will be attending the 35th International Congress of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care, which will be held from 16 June to 19 June 2026, as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from various backgrounds to visit our booth and share their latest ideas with us.

The European Society for Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) is the world’s premier paediatric and neonatal critical care medicine society. ESPNIC is one of the oldest and largest paediatric scientific societies in Europe and the only one exclusively dedicated to critical care, that is, to the sickest children affected by complex disorders needing vital support, complex techniques, and multidisciplinary emergency management.

The ESPNIC promotes the delivery of the highest quality of care to critically ill children throughout Europe. The core values are truly multidisciplinary and multi-professional, focusing on intensive care medicine for the most critically ill patients and their families that we are daily taking care of in the neonatal (NICU) and the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

The ESPNIC will be held from 16 June to 19 June 2026, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. We invite you to join us in Valletta, Malta, as we work together to promote the collective advancement of domestic research levels in the field of intensive care medicine.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Children;
• Pediatric Reports;
• IJERPH;
• Trends in Public Health;
• Clinics and Practice;
• Anesthesia Research;
• JCM;
• Reports;
• Diagnostics;
• Antibiotics;
• Diseases;
• Therapeutics;
• Nursing Reports.

This online Academic Publishing Workshop Series, hosted by MDPI’s journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) in collaboration with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Health Science, offers participants practical advice for their academic writing. Over the six sessions, our Journal Relations Specialists Dr. Sally Wu, Dr. Barnaby Crook and Dr. Antigona Ulndreaj will discuss the following topics: “MDPI Editorial Process: Best Practices for Authors”, “Tips for Writing a Research Manuscript”, “Navigating Peer Review: Best Practices for Authors and Reviewers”, “The Scholarly Publishing Landscape”, “Publication Ethics for Authors”, and “ Artificial Intelligence in Publishing: From Pencils to Neural Networks”. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.

Time: All sessions will be held 18:00–19:00 SAST

Schedule:

Speakers:

MDPI is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Best Paper Awards, celebrating exceptional research for its scientific merit and broad impact. After a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Academic Editors, this year’s awards showcase papers that stand out for their innovation, relevance, and high-quality presentation.

Out of a highly competitive pool, 396 winning papers have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. We congratulate these authors for pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.

At MDPI, we are dedicated to broadening the reach of innovative science. To learn more about the award-winning papers and explore research projects in your field of study, please visit the following links:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Business and Economics;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Computer Sciences and Mathematics;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities;
• Physical Sciences;
• Public Health and Healthcare.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the global research community and enhance academic dialogue, MDPI journals regularly host award programs across diverse scientific disciplines. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and whose work drives the advancement of their fields.

Explore the Best Paper Awards open for participation, please click here.