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.

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.

Dr. Edoardo Sanità completed his Ph.D. in structural geology and tectonics at the University of Firenze, Italy, working on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of low-grade units exposed in collisional belts. Subsequently, he moved to the University of Pisa, Italy, as a postdoc researcher where he studied the origin, deformation mechanisms, and metamorphic history of mélanges exposed in the northern Apennines, Corsica, and Western Alps. During this period, he developed advanced strategies with which to unambiguously reconstruct the metamorphic history of low-grade units by merging chemical data from conventional (e.g., EPMA-WDS) and unconventional (e.g., TEM-EDS) devices with forward and inverse thermodynamic modeling and the study of deformation mechanisms from the micro- to nanoscale.

The following is an interview with Dr. Edoardo Sanità:

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?

I am a postdoc researcher in structural geology and tectonics. My research interests focus on 1) reconstructing the tectono-metamorphic history of subducted rocks, including mélanges; 2) elucidating the deformation mechanism of rock-forming minerals from the micro- to the nanoscale; 3) studying fluid–rock interactions and how these processes control the rheological behavior of rocks deformed and metamorphosed at the depth of the seismogenic zone; 4) developing advanced strategies using conventional (e.g., EPMA-WDS and EDS) and unconventional (e.g., TEM-EDS) devices to unambiguously constrain the pressure and temperature history of subducted rocks by integrating forward and inverse thermodynamic modeling.

2. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

In the coming future, the world’s energy security needs will depend less on uninterrupted access to fossil energy sources and more on clean energy technologies, materials, and components.

Attention has been paid to developing a sound methodological approach to addressing energy security through critical core technological elements supporting the respective clean energies. However, the development of advanced strategies aimed at identifying how clean energy technologies, materials, and components can best work is closely linked to rapid and high-quality research. This requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from more than one scientific discipline. The geosciences have a key role to play here, as they can provide a comprehensive view of the natural processes responsible for the accumulation of strategic resources useful for the energy transition. Basic research is and will remain essential to improve our knowledge of clean energy, maximize its potential, and ensure a rapid and safe energy transition.

3. Have you encountered any difficulties in your research? How did you overcome them?

Surely, the main difficulty is to really understand what your research of interest will be, as I encountered at the beginning of my research life. My scientific curiosity and the will to do something to address societal issues gave me the opportunity to make the right choices on the path to follow up until now.

4. Can you briefly describe the key to a happy laboratory life?

In my opinion, the secret to a happy laboratory life is a positive synergy and collaboration between the staff members, as well as a good organization plan.

5. What qualities do you think young scientists need?

As a very young early career researcher, I am not sure I am the best person to respond. However, I think that the key driving mechanisms are 1) scientific curiosity based on the fact that a scientist has the responsibility and duty to explore as much as possible in their fields of interest; and 2) to be convinced that, despite a young age, an early career researcher can push forward the current state-of the-art contributing to scientific progress.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur has been appointed Associate Editor of the “Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications” Section of Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) as of March 2025.

Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur is a professor at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, currently serving as director. His main research interests are tectonics, structural geology, basin analysis, and applied geophysics. He obtained his Ph.D. in structural geology from the University of Wrocław, followed by training in structural geology at University College Dublin (1994) and a postdoctoral fellowship at GeoforschungsZentrum Potsdam (2003-2004). Before joining the Institute of Geological Sciences, he worked for 11 years in British geophysical consulting companies (Getech, ARKeX), where he was responsible for the technical supervision of multi-client projects. He was also a visiting research fellow at the University of Leeds from 2008 to 2011 and from 2014 to 2020. He has been a participant in scientific expeditions to Greenland, Spitsbergen, British Columbia, and Northern Labrador. In 2013, he received the Jules Braunstein Memorial Award for the best poster at the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, 2012, Long Beach, California, USA. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, the European Geosciences Union, and the Polish Geological Society. Since 2018, he has led the Depositional Systems Research Group (DEPOS) in the Research Centre in Kraków. Stanisław Mazur is the author of approximately 100 research papers that have received over 2,500 independent citations (Web of Science) and have achieved a Hirsch index of 32. Since January 2020, he has been a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. What inspired you to take on the role of Associate Editor for this journal?

I was motivated to take on this role because of my deep interest in advancing research in the field of mineral exploration and Earth sciences. Minerals has established itself as a reputable journal that fosters high-quality, open access research, and I see this as an excellent opportunity to contribute to its growth. Additionally, I am passionate about ensuring rigorous peer review and facilitating the dissemination of cutting-edge studies that shape our understanding of mineral ores, their formation, and exploration strategies.

2. What is your vision for the journal?

My vision for Minerals is to further enhance its reputation as a leading platform for innovative research in mineralogy, geochemistry, and exploration geophysics. I aim to encourage interdisciplinary studies that bridge fundamental science with applied research, including mineral resources and exploration methods. Additionally, I hope to expand the journal’s reach by attracting high-quality contributions from diverse global research communities while maintaining the highest editorial and ethical standards.

3. How do you see the future of this research field evolving?

The field of mineralogy and mineral exploration is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for critical minerals. In the coming years, I anticipate significant progress in areas such as the following:

1. The role of minerals in sustainable energy solutions, including battery materials and carbon capture;
2. Advances in analytical techniques, such as high-resolution geophysical imaging and geochemical modeling, which will refine our understanding of mineral formation and transformation;
3. Increased integration of machine learning and big data approaches in mineral exploration and characterization;
4. A stronger focus on environmental and ethical aspects of mineral resource utilization.

These developments will not only advance fundamental scientific knowledge but also address global challenges related to resource sustainability and climate change.

4. What are your thoughts on the development of open access in academic publishing?

Open access (OA) has transformed academic publishing by making research more accessible and increasing its impact. It promotes transparency, collaboration, and the rapid dissemination of knowledge, which is particularly crucial in fields like mineralogy and mineral exploration, where interdisciplinary insights drive innovation. However, challenges remain, including the sustainability of OA funding models and concerns about predatory publishing. Moving forward, I believe that a balance must be struck between affordability, quality control, and broad accessibility, ensuring that OA continues to benefit both researchers and the wider scientific community.

We wish Prof. Dr. Stanisław Mazur every success in this position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy” Section of Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) as of March 2025.

Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao received his Ph.D. degree in minerals processing engineering from Central South University (CSU), China, in 2013, and has been a Professor and Vice Dean in the School of minerals processing and bioengineering at CSU since 2019. His research interests embrace mineral crystal chemistry, flotation reagent design, and grinding media technology. The surface broken bond density (Db) index proposed by Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao has been widely accepted as a rapid way to study mineral surfaces and to assess their surface reactivity. This Db index has interestingly become widely recognized and applied in different areas such as material science, crystal growth, geochemistry, mineralogy, etc. Prof. Dr. Zhiyong’s research activities have also included extensive use of AFM and DFT on molecular recognition for the development of a series of novel collectors and reagent mixtures for improving the separation selectivity when treating different minerals. Prof. Dr. Zhiyong has developed a method to regulate the crystal surface exposure and hence particle reactivity of different minerals by optimizing the grinding media parameters. Based on these fundamental studies, various new reagent schemes and grind technologies have been developed and utilized to optimize the currently used separation process and address key environmental and energy-related challenges in mineral processing.

Prof. Dr. Gao has published 90+ papers with an H-index of 44 and 6000+ citations (Google Scholar). He also holds 30+ authorized patents. He has received numerous awards and honors including the MEI Young Person’s Award (2019), IJMMM Young Scientist Award (2024), the China-Australia Young Scientist Exchange Award (2020), the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, and the Young Elite Scientists Award by China Association for Science and Technology (2017). Prof. Dr. Gao has contributed significantly to the scientific community by serving, for example, on the editorial boards of several journals (including Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing since 2016, Minerals since 2017, Minerals Engineering since 2021, IJMMM since 2023) and committee memberships. In 2017, Prof. Dr. Gao initiated and chaired the 1st China International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing, which is now a well-known annual event in mineral processing community. He has been invited to give plenary/keynote/invited presentations and chair sessions in International Mineral Processing Congress, International Flotation Conferences, International Mineral Processing and Recycling Conference, SME, TMS, etc. He and his international collaborators also established the China–Australia/China–South Africa Joint Research Centre for Mineral Flotation Chemistry.

We wish Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.

MDPI will be attending the 11th National Congress of the Chinese Society for Mineralogy Petrology and Geochemistry (CSMPG), which will be held in Wuhan, China, from 18 to 20 April 2025. The CSMPG 2025 is organized by the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry and co-organized by the School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, and Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The conference aims to facilitate academic exchanges in mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and related research fields.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Minerals;
• Geosciences;
• Sustainability;
• Resources.

If you plan to attend the conference, please pay a visit to 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 following website: https://csmpg.meeting666.com/.

MDPI will be attending the XVI International Mineral Processing and Recycling Conference, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, from 28 to 30 May 2025. IMPRC 2025 is organized every two years by the Technical Faculty in Bor, a member of the University of Belgrade, and co-organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The conference aims to create an international forum for academics, researchers, and scientists from around the world to present their latest research results, ideas, and developments regarding issues related to mineral processing and recycling technologies and related areas.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Minerals;
• Recycling;
• Environments;
• Processes;
• Sustainability;
• Waste;
• Metals.

If you are attending the conference, please 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 following website: https://imprc.tfbor.bg.ac.rs/.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Pura Alfonso has been appointed Associate Editor of the “Mineral Deposits” Section of Minerals (ISSN: 2075-163X) as of March 2025.

Dr. Pura Alfonso is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mining, Industrial and ICT Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain, where she teaches mineralogy, mineral deposits, and environmental geology. She is also the Director of the Valentí Masachs Geology Museum at the UPC, which is dedicated to promoting the field of geology and educating the public on the applications of minerals. In 1984, she completed her degree in geology at the University of Barcelona. Subsequently, she worked on gold deposits in Nicaragua, and once again at the University of Barcelona she presented her doctoral thesis on the petrogenesis of the rare-element pegmatites of Cap de Creus. She has extensive experience in modeling mineral deposits. In this sense, thanks to a grant, she worked for two years at the Scottish Research and Environmental Centre, carrying out isotopic studies on volcanic-hosted massive deposits and sedimentary exhalative deposits. She has actively participated in multiple EU-funded, competitive research projects focused on the processing of critical raw materials.

She is currently conducting research on a diverse range of mineral deposit types together with researchers from other countries, mainly Iran, Mexico, and Bolivia. She has an ongoing collaboration on rare-element projects. She also has a research interest in artisanal mining and actively collaborates on projects aimed at making this activity more efficient and environmentally sustainable.

She has published 98 peer-reviewed articles, 30 of them as a first author, and more than 100 conference presentations. She has supervised numerous bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses.

The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Pura Alfonso, who shared her vision for the Section with us as well as her views on the research area and Open Access publishing: