Announcements

Ms. Oliwia Kordyl is one of the authors of the Cover Paper featured in Volume 18, Issue 7, entitled “Optimization of LCD-Based 3D Printing for the Development of Clotrimazole-Coated Microneedle Systems”, published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Author’s Introduction
Ms. Oliwia Kordyl has an M.Sc. in biotechnology and is currently a Ph.D. candidate conducting her doctoral work in an external study mode under the supervision of Dr. Bozena Michniak-Kohn (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey) and Prof. Tomasz Osmałek (Poznań University of Medical Sciences). Her research focuses on the development of microneedle systems, fabricated using advanced 3D printing and micro-molding techniques for the localized delivery of antifungal drugs in the treatment of fungal skin infections. Currently, she is professionally involved in a project on transdermal microneedle systems for the treatment of depressive disorders. Additionally, she has hands-on experience in molecular biology gained through work in both industrial and academic environments, including advanced biotechnology techniques, epigenetic profiling, and molecular diagnostics.

Based on the positive evaluations by the reviewers and Academic Editors for Ms. Kordyl’s group’s article, we have selected their article as the Issue Cover for display on the Materials website.

The following is an interview with Ms. Oliwia Kordyl:

1. Congratulations on your published paper! Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
Thank you very much! I am glad to share the main research content of our published paper. Given that fungal infections affect up to 25% of the global population, we posed a key question: Can the treatment of fungal skin infections be improved by minimizing side effects and enhancing patient care? In response, we developed 3D-printed clotrimazole-coated microneedle systems as an innovative drug delivery platform for treating fungal skin infections. Microneedles offer the advantage of painlessly bypassing the skin barrier, enabling localized treatment with enhanced effectiveness and reduced side effects. Our research focused on optimizing both the design and 3D printing parameters to enhance the mechanical properties of microneedles, which is crucial for effective skin penetration. We also conducted a comprehensive pharmaceutical evaluation, including in vitro drug release studies, antifungal activity testing, and acute toxicity assessments. The results confirmed both the efficacy and safety of the system, supporting the potential of microneedles as a promising strategy for drug delivery.

2. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
I graduated with an M.Sc. in biotechnology, and my previous professional experience focused on microbiology, including research on fungal strains. At the same time, the growing potential of 3D printing in medical sciences became a strong area of interest for me. The project I am currently working on, which resulted in our recent research paper, combines both my professional background and personal interests. Working on innovative drug delivery systems for the treatment of fungal skin infections, which increasingly affect the global population, gives me a sense of contributing to the development of promising solutions that could enhance treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.

3. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
The field of microneedle systems and 3D printing technologies is rapidly expanding, with new fabrication techniques and continuous improvements being introduced. The growing number of high-quality scientific publications clearly reflects strong and increasing interest in this area. Young researchers today have numerous opportunities to engage with the scientific community early in their careers. I would encourage them to actively participate in research groups, attend scientific lectures, and get involved in projects from the very beginning. Gaining hands-on experience at an early stage is invaluable and will undoubtedly benefit researchers’ future careers. Importantly, the development of 3D-printed drug delivery systems is highly interdisciplinary, combining pharmaceutical sciences with materials engineering. This creates a broad landscape for collaboration and allows researchers to find their niche while working in diverse, forward-thinking teams.

4. What has your experience publishing with Materials been?
My experience publishing with Materials has been very positive. The Assistant Editor was helpful and promptly responded to all questions and concerns. The publication process was smooth and relatively fast. While there were several formal requirements, I appreciate that they contributed to the high quality of the final publication. Additionally, the insightful feedback from the reviewers significantly improved the quality of our work.

5. How do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
In my opinion, the way research is published plays a significant role in scientific communication, and open access (OA) publishing offers many advantages for authors. One of the key benefits is the ability to share research findings rapidly and widely, which is particularly important for innovative or time-sensitive discoveries. OA allows researchers to reach a broader readership, extending beyond academia to include students, early career scientists, and even the general public interested in deepening their knowledge. This is especially relevant when the research has potential clinical applications, such as our work on antifungal skin therapies. Open access ensures that the public has unrestricted access to transparent and scientifically validated knowledge, helping to build trust between science and society. Moreover, OA aligns with the current requirements of many grant agencies, which often mandate that results from publicly funded research be made freely available. This promotes knowledge dissemination and encourages collaboration across disciplines and institutions. However, it is also important to acknowledge the financial burden associated with OA publishing. Article processing charges can be a significant barrier—particularly for early career researchers or those without institutional support—and may discourage some authors from choosing this route. Overall, despite certain challenges, I believe that open access represents a powerful and essential model for the future of scientific publishing.