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.

From 27 April to 2 May 2025, MDPI joined the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, welcoming over 20,984 attendees from 120+ countries at booth 02 in the Entrance Hall. This landmark event featured 18,934 presentations across 1,102 sessions, with 56% of abstracts contributed by Early Career Scientists (ECSs)—a testament to the vibrant future of geosciences.

Academic Engagement: Dialogue and Collaboration

Meet the Editors-in-Chief
We hosted two insightful sessions with editorial leaders from top journals:

• April 28: Prof. Dr. Stephen Macko (Editor-in-Chief of Nitrogen) and Prof. Dr. Zhong Lu (Editor-in-Chief of GeoHazards);
• April 29: Dr. Tommaso Caloiero (Section Editor-in-Chief of Hydrology) and Prof. Dr. Rui A. P. Perdigão (Section Editor-in-Chief of Climate).

These discussions fostered meaningful connections between attendees and editors, strengthening our commitment to supporting scholarly exchange.

Geosciences Editorial Board Meeting

Award Ceremonies: Honoring Innovation

Remote Sensing Travel Award
On April 30, Dr. Nicola Nocentini (University of Padua and University of Florence) received the award from Associate Editor Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti. Following the ceremony, Dr. Nocentini shared insights into an exclusive booth interview.

Geosciences Best Paper Award

Prof. Dr. Olivier Lacombe (Section Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences) presented the award for the paper “Improving the Estimation of the Occurrence Time of an Impending Major Earthquake Using the Entropy Change of Seismicity in Natural Time Analysis”—a groundbreaking study on earthquake prediction.

Interactive Highlights: Fun and Engagement

Raffle Games
Attendees enjoyed lively prize draws, with customized gifts adding a playful touch to scientific networking.

Quick Q&A Sessions
Topic-based quizzes sparked friendly competition, turning academic curiosity into interactive fun—even hesitant scholars joined the excitement!

Looking Ahead: Advancing Open Science

Participating in the EGU General Assembly constituted a profoundly enriching experience. Through this engagement, we engaged in profound dialogues not only with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Boards associated with MDPI, but also were afforded the invaluable opportunity to disseminate our institutional mission to emerging scholars.
As an entity steadfastly committed to fostering open scientific exchange across all academic disciplines, MDPI reaffirms its unwavering dedication to advancing global scholarship. We earnestly look forward to prospects of connecting with researchers from around the world, collaborating in unison to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advocate for the practices of open science.

Modeling the changing world has long been a challenge for the geospatial society. ISPRS initiated the workshop series on “Dynamic and Multi-dimensional Geographic Information System (DMGIS)” in 1997, and eight workshops with this name have been organized in different places around the world since then.

The advent of ICT (Information, Communication, and Technology) has opened a new era, which greatly increases the demand for the capturing, integration, and analysis of complex spatial and temporal data in multiple dimensions for various applications, ranging from urban planning and environmental monitoring to disaster response and smart city development. Furthermore, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected and data-driven, we need sophisticated models that can represent and simulate the dynamic interactions between physical, social, and economic systems over time and across different geographical scales, so to predict the behavior of systems within a multidimensional spatial-temporal framework becomes crucial for decision-making, resource allocation, and risk management. Some countries have already initiated National 3D Mapping programs, and the demand for related methodologies and technologies has become more urgent.

To enhance the study of dynamic and multi-dimensional modelling of the real world, we have organized the 9th International Workshop on Dynamic and Multi-dimensional Geospatial Information Simulation (9th DMGIS), to bring together researchers, practitioners, industry experts, and thought leaders from around the globe to discuss, share, and explore the latest developments and innovations in the fields.

The event is organized by ISPRS Technical Commission IV (Spatial Information Science), hosted by Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture. It is also supported by FIG Commission 3 (Spatial Information Management), Moganshan Geospatial Information Laboratory, Commission on Intelligent Mapping of the CSGPC, Commission on Low-altitude Economy of GLAC, etc.

Themes of the event:

• Autonomous real-time acquisition of dynamic and multi-dimensional data;
• AI-empowered recognition of dynamic and multi-dimensional objects (scenes);
• AI-empowered dynamic and multi-dimensional modeling, presentation, and services;
• Integration of multi-dimensional modeling and digital twin technologies;
• Real-time monitoring and simulation in dynamic GIS;
• Safety and security of spatial-temporal information;
• Applications of multi-dimensional models in low-altitude flight and urban management.

For more information, you can write to us at DMGIS_help@hotmail.com or visit https://dmgis2025.scievent.com/.

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:

MDPI will be attending the Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2025 in Chiba, Japan, which will take place from 25 to 30 May 2025. The conference will focus on the theme of “Earth and planetary sciences”.

The annual meeting held in May is a major event related to Earth and planetary sciences in Japan. It is a valuable opportunity to develop various fields in Earth and planetary sciences through presentations and discussions, and to promote interdisciplinary and inter-researcher exchanges. The hybrid format is a mechanism that allows for diverse forms of convention participation. The conference will continue with the hybrid format this year with some revisions. International research exchanges, which had been temporarily stagnant, have become much more active, and the number of overseas participants in the JPGU Meeting has been increasing. If you are attending the conference, please visit our booth; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Quaternary (leading);
• Geotechnics;
• Geomatics;
• Geographies;
• Atmosphere;
• Climate;
• Geosciences;
• GeoHazards;
• Remote Sensing;
• Mining;
• Land;
• Earth;
• Minerals;
• IJGI;
• Fossil Studies.

A message from the webinar Chair:

Vegetation cover maps, whether they focus on structural attributes, ecological aspects, or biomass content, are invaluable for understanding Earth’s ecosystems in a spatial context.

The advent of Earth Observation data has transformed vegetation mapping and trend analysis, delivering datasets with various spatial and spectral resolutions on a global scale. Vegetation mapping and analysis provide critical insights into the distribution and density of vegetation, while also highlighting the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity and ecosystems. The accurate interpretation of this remote sensing data necessitates sophisticated analytical techniques to manage their complexity and vastness.

Join us for an insightful webinar that explores cutting-edge machine learning methodologies and their role in vegetation analysis using Earth Observation (EO) data. This webinar features four scholars presenting their latest research on how machine learning and EO data can enhance vegetation monitoring and mapping. This will facilitate the exchange of insights and ideas among participants while fostering opportunities for future collaboration.

We are privileged to welcome esteemed research scientists and academics from recognized research institutions and universities in Australia. They will share their expertise and findings on the effective application of machine learning technology in Earth Observation data in obtaining essential information related to climate change, land use planning, ecosystem conservation, weed management, and agricultural management.

Webinar: EO&GEO Series: Investigating State-of-the-Art Machine Learning Approaches in Vegetation Analysis through Earth Observation Data
Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 3.00 p.m. AEST | 1.00 p.m. CST | 7.00 a.m. CEST
Webinar ID: 854 2945 1681
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/topics-34

This is a free webinar. After registration, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording becomes available for viewing.

Register for free:

Program:

Webinar Chairs and Speakers:

• Dr. Arnick Abdollahi, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
• Dr. Chandrama Sarker, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia;
• Dr. Catherine Ticehurst, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia;
• Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia;
• Dr. Roozbeh Valavi, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia);
• Dr. Kate Giljohann, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia.

Relevant Special Issue:

“Investigating State-of-the-Art Machine Learning Approaches in Vegetation Analysis through Earth Observation Data”
Guest Editors: Dr. Arnick Abdollahi and Dr. Chandrama Sarker
Deadline for submission: 25 May 2025

Relevant Papers:
“Retrieval of Crop Canopy Chlorophyll: Machine Learning vs. Radiative Transfer Model”
by Mir Md Tasnim Alam, Anita Simic Milas, Mateo Gašparović and Henry Poku Osei
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(12), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122058

“A Robust Dual-Mode Machine Learning Framework for Classifying Deforestation Patterns in Amazon Native Lands”
by Julia Rodrigues, Mauricio Araújo Dias, Rogério Negri, Sardar Muhammad Hussain and Wallace Casaca
Land 2024, 13(9), 1427; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091427

“Evaluating Land Surface Temperature Trends and Explanatory Variables in the Miami Metropolitan Area from 2002–2021”
by Alanna D. Shapiro and Weibo Liu
Geomatics 2024, 4(1), 1-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics4010001

“A GIS-Based Framework to Analyze the Behavior of Urban Greenery During Heatwaves Using Satellite Data”
by Barbara Cardone, Ferdinando Di Martino, Cristiano Mauriello and Vittorio Miraglia
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(11), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13110377

“UAV-Based Wetland Monitoring: Multispectral and Lidar Fusion with Random Forest Classification”
by Robert Van Alphen, Kai C. Rains, Mel Rodgers, Rocco Malservisi and Timothy H. Dixon
Drones 2024, 8(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8030113

Conference: Dreiländertagung 2025 (Trinational Conference 2025 of the Swiss, German, and Austrian Societies for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing)
Organization: University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
Date: 3–5 June 2025
Place: Muttenz, Switzerland

MDPI journals will be attending Dreiländertagung 2025 as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Muttenz, Switzerland, from 3 to 5 June 2025.

The objectives of Dreiländertagung 2025 are to bring together the photogrammetry, remote sensing, and geoinformation societies of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The conference aims to showcase the current state of research and technology in the German-speaking world. It focuses on leveraging spatial image data and artificial intelligence as key drivers of future developments, while also providing a platform for sharing current experiences and promoting the creation of sustainable habitats.

The conference topics will include, but are not limited to, the following: photogrammetric methods and innovations, remote sensing technologies and applications, artificial intelligence in geospatial data processing, 3D modeling and digital twins of urban and natural environments, UAV and satellite-based data acquisition, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) for smart cities, climate monitoring and environmental change analysis, sustainable land use and habitat planning, spatial data infrastructures and interoperability, education and training in geoinformation sciences, and cross-border geospatial collaboration in the DACH region.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Remote Sensing;
• Geomatics;
• GeoHazards;
• IJGI;
• Land;
• Sensors;
• Sustainability.

If you plan to attend this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.fhnw.ch/plattformen/dlt2025/.

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

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

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

The ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (IJGI, ISSN: 2220-9964) attended the ISPRS Geo-Spatial Week (GSW 2025) 2025 from 6 to 11 April 2025 in Dubai.

During the 6-day event, IJGI hosted a dedicated exhibition tabletop. Our representatives actively participated in various conference activities, engaging in in-depth exchanges and discussions with scholars from around the world. They not only shared their latest research findings and academic progress but also held lively discussions on cutting-edge issues in the field of geoinformation. These exchanges broadened their academic horizons and provided new ideas and directions for their future research.

Concurrently, the conference organized an award ceremony and presented The Jack Dangermond Award—Best Paper 2024.

Prof. Dr. Reza Delavar (EBM) promoting IJGI during his presentation

Prof. Dr. Reza Delavar (EBM)

Scholars attending the IJGI booth

On April 9, 2025, we held the IJGI Editorial Board meeting. We greatly appreciate that Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kainz hosted this meeting and that there were nine Editorial Board Member (EBM) attendees, including the ISPRS Council members, with five EBMs attending this meeting online.

At this Editorial Board meeting, the EBMs had a positive discussion about the Journal Report, journal’s scope, and other journal development issues.

Attendees (from left to right): Prof. Dr. Qiming Zhou (EBM), Dr. Nicolas Paparoditis (ISPRS Vice-President), Dr. Stewart Walker (ISPRS Treasurer), Dr. Maria Antonia Brovelli (Associate Editor), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kainz (Editor-in-Chief), Dr. Carla Aloe (MDPI Head of Society and Acquisition), Valeria Sun (MDPI IJGI Publisher), Dr. Lena Halounová (ISPRS President), Prof. Dr. Sisi Zlatanova (Associate Editor), Prof. Dr. Jie Jiang (EBM, ISPRS Secretary General), Prof. Dr. Reza Delavar (EBM), Petar Jeremić (MDPI Acquisition Specialist).