Announcements

Conference: Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2026 (AAIC)
Date: 12−15 July 2026
Place: London, UK
Conference website: https://aaic.alz.org/

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will be participating as an exhibitor at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2026 (AAIC), which will be held from 12 to 15 July 2026 in London, UK.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the largest international meeting dedicated to advancing dementia science and clinical practice. Each year, AAIC convenes researchers, clinicians, and dementia professionals from all career stages to share breaking research discoveries and clinical practice education that will lead to improvements in diagnosis, risk reduction, and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. From basic science to dementia care, every aspect of the field’s growing knowledge of dementia is incorporated into this world-class conference.

As part of our commitment to supporting high-quality research in these fields, MDPI is proud to sponsor the event through the participation of the following journals:

• Life;
• Healthcare;
• Biomedicines;
• Journal of Market Access & Health Policy (JMAHP);
• International Journal of Translational Medicine;
• Neurology International;
• Journal of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease;
• Geriatrics;
• Journal of Clinical Medicine;
• Psychiatry International;
• Journal of Personalized Medicine;
• Therapeutics;
• NeuroSci;
• Pathophysiology;
• Sclerosis.

Our editorial team will be available on-site and would be delighted to meet with attendees. If you are attending the conference, feel free to stop by our booth to learn more about our open access publishing opportunities, ongoing Special Issues, and how we support researchers in advancing their work.

We look forward to meeting you in London!

Conference: 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI)
Date: 3–5 June 2026
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

MDPI will participate as an exhibitor at the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation. We welcome researchers and professionals to visit our booth and engage with our team.

The 60th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI) will be held from 3 to 5 June 2026. It can bring together 500–600 scientists, medical professionals, and innovation leaders from across Europe and beyond to explore the theme “Research in Action: Building Healthier Futures”. The scientific program will feature a rich blend of disciplines—spanning cardiovascular science, endocrinology, obesity, metabolism and MASLD, mitochondrial biology, oncology and immunology, rheumatology, and neurosciences. This year, we will shine a spotlight on life transitions in women, unravelling health and disease journeys from pregnancy to menopause. The program will also highlight today’s most transformative biomedical breakthroughs, from AI-enabled diagnostics to gene editing and precision therapies.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Reports;
• Medicina;
• Diagnostics;
• JPM;
• BioMed;
• Complications;
• Pharmacy;
• NeuroSci;
• JCRM;
• Current Oncology;
• JCM;
• Physiologia;
• Proteomes;
• Diseases.

If you are planning to attend the above event, please feel free 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, please visit https://barcelo.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/esci-2026/web.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Conference: The 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research
Date: 8–11 June 2026
Location: Budapest, Hungary

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will participate in the 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2026), held in Budapest, Hungary, from 8 to 11 June 2026.

The 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2026) is a four-day congress dedicated to basic, preclinical and translational cancer research across a wide range of topics. The conference will highlight the latest research and bring together the cancer research community to inspire innovation and build knowledge, connections and collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Cancers;
• JPM;
• Current Oncology;
• Onco;
• JCM;
• Cells;
• Diseases;
• Epigenomes;
• CIMB;
• Biologics;
• Life;
• Gastrointestinal Disorders;
• Clinics and Practice;
• DNA;
• IJMS;
• Diagnostics.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #101 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://2026.eacr.org/.

In order to further expand the international influence of and encourage the publication of high-quality papers in the Journal of Personalized Medicine (JPM, ISSN: 2075-4426), we are currently recruiting Editorial Board Members for the following Sections:

• “Personalized Preventive Medicine”;
• “Pharmacogenetics”;
• “Diagnostics in Personalized Medicine”;
• “Personalized Medicine in Pharmacy”.

Based on your expertise, Editorial Board Members may be assigned to one of the above Sections as Section Board Members, with responsibilities primarily focused on that Section.

Role of Editorial Board Members:
Editorial Board Members will hold the position for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term, and the role includes the following responsibilities:

• Pre-screening and making decisions on new submissions related to their research interests;
• Setting up at least one Special Issue during their term on a topic related to their research interests or supervising a Special Issue in their field;
• Providing input and feedback regarding journal policies and development;
• Helping promote the journal among their peers or at conferences;
• Attending Board meetings and contributing to discussions on journal development strategies;
• Reviewing manuscripts when invited.

Benefits for Editorial Board Members:
Editorial Board Members of JPM will enjoy the following benefits:

• Recognition: A certificate recognizing you as an Editorial Board Member of J. Pers. Med.;
• Discounts: A discount on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for their own submissions to the journal;
• Platform: The opportunity to edit Special Issues and promote your own conferences using our SciForum platform;
• Networking: An expanded research network providing new insights, collaborations, and opportunities for future research projects;
• Visibility: Increased personal visibility as a leader in the field of personalized medicine.

Application:
If you are interested in becoming an Editorial Board Member for JPM, please send the following documents to the JPM Editorial Office:

• A short CV (including publication list);
• A short cover letter that details your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

As an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published by MDPI, JPM focuses on personalized, predictive, and precision approaches that advance individualized medicine. More information about the journal can be found at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jpm. For inquiries or applications, please contact the JPM Editorial Office. 

We warmly welcome your application and look forward to your contribution to the Journal of Personalized Medicine. 

JPM Editorial Office

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

World Health Day, observed annually on 7 April, highlights the global commitment to improving public health and ensuring that all people have access to quality healthcare. Established by the World Health Organization, the day draws attention to pressing health challenges and mobilizes collective action to strengthen health systems, advance medical research, and promote well-being worldwide.

Despite significant progress in medicine and public health, many individuals and communities continue to face barriers to healthcare, including unequal access to services, limited resources, and emerging global health threats. These interconnected challenges highlight the importance of sustained research, international collaboration, and evidence-based policies to improve health outcomes and build resilient healthcare systems.

In support of World Health Day 2026 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well‑Being, MDPI journals from the Public Health & Healthcare subject aim to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and research on global health, disease prevention, and healthcare innovation. Through Special Issues and research articles, MDPI provides platforms to explore health challenges from diverse perspectives, including public health, clinical medicine, epidemiology, and health policy.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

“Breastfeeding in Infancy and Adult Health: A Narrative Review”
by Eleftherios Panteris, Ioanna Kakatsaki, Ourania Galani, Zoi Koukou and Eleftheria Hatzidaki
Children 2026, 13(2), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13020286

“Bridging the Gap: Health Education Needs Among Rural Populations with Chronic Illness and Low Health Literacy in Unincorporated Communities in Southern California”
by Shiloh A. Williams, Ryan C. Shriver and Candace C. Juhala
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010021

“Predicting Workplace Hazard, Stress and Burnout Among Public Health Inspectors: An AI-Driven Analysis in the Context of Climate Change”
by Ioannis Adamopoulos, Antonios Valamontes, Panagiotis Tsirkas and George Dounias
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(5), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15050065

“Clinical and Public Health Challenge of Handling Synthetic Cathinone and Cannabinoid Abuse in Pediatric Care: A Narrative Review”
by Valerio Ricci and Giuseppe Maina
Pediatr. Rep. 2025, 17(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17010019

 “Factors Affecting Online Health Promotion Program Adherence Among People with Disabilities”
by Madison Mintz, Robert A. Oster, Jereme Wilroy and James H. Rimmer
Disabilities 2025, 5(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities5010016

“Digital Twins’ Advancements and Applications in Healthcare, Towards Precision Medicine”
by Konstantinos Papachristou, Paraskevi F. Katsakiori, Panagiotis Papadimitroulas, Lidia Strigari and George C. Kagadis
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(11), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14111101

”European Nurses’ Burnout before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Patient Safety: A Scoping Review”
by Goitseone Mogomotsi and Jennifer Creese
Hospitals 2024, 1(2), 151-171; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1020013

“Framework to Support the Transfer of Innovative Interventions in the Disability Field: Lessons from the Transferability of Complex Interventions in Public Health: A Review”
by Eléonore Ségard, Philippe Chervin and Linda Cambon
Disabilities 2024, 4(3), 724-740; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4030044

“Body-Related Attitudes, Self-Esteem, and Psychological Wellbeing” Guest Editors: Dr. Anne-Mette Hermans, Dr. Rebecca Nash and Dr. Helena Lewis-Smith Submission deadline: 30 June 2026	“Reducing Health Disparities: The Role of Health Literacy and Health Promotion” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Hae-Ra Han Submission deadline: 31 July 2026
“Ehealth, Telemedicine, and AI in the Precision Medicine Era” Guest Editor: Dr. Mirella Veras Submission deadline: 20 August 2026	“Emergency and Disaster Medicine: Preparedness, Response, and Resilience in Health Systems” Guest Editor: Dr. Ulrich Sack Submission deadline: 31 October 2026

The 2nd International One Health Conference Location: Barcelona, Spain Volume Editors: Margherita Ferrante and Gea Oliveri Conti Highlights: “Climate Crises Associated with Epidemiological, Environmental, and Ecosystem Effects of a Storm: Flooding, Landslides, and Damage to Urban and Rural Areas (Extreme Weather Events of Storm Daniel in Thessaly, Greece)” by Ioannis Adamopoulos, Aikaterini Frantzana and Niki Syrou “Public Health Implications of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife at the One Health Interface” by Julio A. Benavides, Marilia Salgado-Caxito, Carmen Torres and Sylvain Godreuil Click here to read the full list of papers.

Conference: 28th Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology Congress
Organization: APLAR Executive Committee and Korean College of Rheumatology
Date: 28 October–1 November 2026
Place: COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea

The APLAR Congress brings together world-class research and thought-leadership from rheumatologists, internists, orthopedic surgeons, clinical immunologists, physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, pediatricians and researchers from allied disciplines on a common platform that facilitates deliberations on all aspects of musculoskeletal diseases. The theme of the APLAR 2026 Congress will be reflected through the scientific program, harnessing amazing recent growth in the number of high-quality abstract submissions, pairing these advancements with the strengths of a local program supported by luminaries from the Korean College of Rheumatology.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Gout, Urate, and Crystal Deposition Disease (GUCDD);
• Medicina;
• Rheumato;
• Sclerosis;
• Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM);
• Diseases;
• Journal of Personalized Medicine (JPM);
• Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK);
• Therapeutics;
• COVID.

If you attend 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.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.