Announcements

Conference: 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Date: 14–18 July 2025
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

MDPI will be attending the 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society will be jointly hosted by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS). The overarching conference theme, “Engineering Medicine, Innovating Healthcare”, underscores the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and new ways of driving transformative advancements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

We cordially invite you to join us as we embark on a journey to revolutionize healthcare through innovation, AI, and technology integration. We look forward to seeing you in Copenhagen in July 2025!

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Diagnostics;
• AI;
• BioMedInformatics;
• JCM;
• Biomimetics;
• Bioengineering;
• IJERPH;
• Diseases;
• Journal of Imaging;
• Sensors;
• Eng;
• Biosensors;
• MTI;
• Reports;
• Anatomia;
• Biomed;
• Surgical Techniques Development;
• Biotech;
• Signals;
• Tomography.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information, please visit https://embc.embs.org/2025/.

Conference: 30th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science - ECSS Rimini 2025
Date: 1–4 July 2025
Location: Rimini, Italy

MDPI will be attending the 30th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science - ECSS Rimini 2025 as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The European College of Sport Science (ECSS) is a non-profit scientific organization devoted to the promotion and dissemination of multi-and interdisciplinary research in sport and exercise science. Founded in Nice, France in 1995, we have established ourselves as the leading sport science community in Europe, with a truly international demographic.

The universities of Bologna and Padova will collaborate closely with the ECSS Scientific Board to deliver an outstanding scientific program. This program will encompass recent advancements in muscle biology, physiology, and biophysics, as well as topics such as inactivity and aging, motor control, nutrition, physical activity and health, performance in extreme environments, exercise and sports medicine, psychology, and social sciences. In addition, applied sports sciences, including Olympic winter sports, motorsports, football, cycling, and other endurance sports, will also be addressed, along with the physical performance of military personnel. A particular emphasis will be placed on promoting a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach within sports science to break the barriers that often divide the biomedical and psychosocial sciences applied to sport and physical activity.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• JFMK;
• IJERPH;
• Sports;
• Psychology International;
• Antioxidants;
• Nutrients;
• Physiologia;
• J.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to 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://www.sport-science.org/index.php/ecss-rimini-2025/welcome-to-rimini.

Conference: 34th International Congress—Science of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC 2025)
Date: 25–28 June 2025
Location: Alicante, Spain

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will participate in the 34th International Congress—Science of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC 2025), to be held in Alicante, Spain, from 25 to 28 June 2025.

The European Society for Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) is the world’s premier society dedicated to paediatric and neonatal critical care medicine. It is one of the oldest and largest paediatric scientific societies in Europe, and the only one exclusively focused on critical care for the most seriously ill children—those affected by complex disorders requiring vital support, advanced techniques, and multidisciplinary emergency management.

MDPI is excited to participate in this prestigious event! Representing the journal of Children (ISSN: 2227-9067), Ms. Ivana Marković and Mr. Emil-Gabriel Nutu will be present at the MDPI exhibition stand, where they will warmly welcome all scholars to stop by and engage in insightful discussions. This event presents a unique opportunity for participants to interact with leading experts in the field and explore potential collaborations. Do not miss the chance to visit our stand and exchange ideas with the MDPI editors and other delegates!

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

• Neurology International;
• Reports;
• Paediatric Reports;
• Diagnostics;
• Children;
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;
• Journal of Clinical Medicine;
• Nursing Reports;
• Clinics and Practice;
• Antibiotics;
• Neuroglia;
• Healthcare;
• Hygiene;
• Cardiogenetics;
• Advances in Respiratory Medicine;
• Journal of Respiration;
• Therapeutics;
• Nutrients;
• Emergency Care and Medicine;
• Surgical Techniques Development.

If you are planning to attend the conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. We invite all conference attendees to visit MDPI’s booth and meet with our esteemed Editorial Board Members.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.mcascientificevents.eu/espnic/.

Conference: ESC Congress 2025
Date: 29 August–1 September 2025
Location: Madrid, Spain

We will be attending the ESC Congress 2025 together with the World Congress of Cardiology as an exhibitor. The event will take place in Madrid, Spain, from 29 August to 1 September 2025.

Organized by the European Society of Cardiology, the ESC Congress 2025 will focus on the theme “Cardiology Beyond Borders – Global Health”, highlighting the evolving role of cardiovascular disease within the broader global health landscape.

The following Open Access journals will be represented:

• JCM;
• JCDD;
• Healthcare;
• Biomedicines;
• Cardiogenetics;
• IJTM;
• Hearts;
• Medicina;
• IJERPH;
• Diseases;
• Genes;
• EJIHPE;
• JPM;
• Clinics and Practice;
• Tomography.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #B206 and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-Events/ESC-Congress.

Conference: The National Nursing Forum
Date: 23–25 July 2025
Place: Canberra, Australia

We are excited to announce that MDPI will participate as an exhibitor at the National Nursing Forum, from 23 to 25 July 2025.

The National Nursing Forum (NNF) is the Australian College of Nursing’s signature annual leadership and educational event, bringing together nurses, students, and other health professionals from around the country and across the globe.

With the theme of Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future, this year’s forum will explore and highlight how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare. With a strong line-up of speakers, the forum sessions will focus on workforce, digital health, planetary health, and clinical innovations.

Attendees will enjoy a full and rich forum experience with face-to-face presentations and interactions with the nursing network, the opportunity to connect with valuable sponsors and exhibitors to learn about the latest products, and more.

The following MDPI journals will be presenting at the conference:

• Nursing Reports;
• Healthcare;
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;
• Pediatric Reports;
• Emergency Care and Medicine;
• Hospitals;
• Geriatrics.

If you are planning to attend the conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at Booth #15 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.acn.edu.au/events/national-nursing-forum.

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.