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30 April 2025
Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller Share the 2024 Tu Youyou Award


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.

2024 Tu Youyou Award Laureates

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:

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.

10 June 2025
Molecules Receives an Increased CiteScore of 8.6


We are pleased to share that Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) has received an increased CiteScore of 8.6 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 26 out of 212 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Organic Chemistry)” category; 31 out of 185 titles (Q1) in the “Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Pharmaceutical Science)” category; 27 out of 160 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry)” category; 34 out of 187 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Physical and Theoretical Chemistry)” category; 30 out of 156 titles (Q1) in the “Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Drug Discovery)” category; 24 out of 124 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Miscellaneous)” category; 39 out of 177 titles (Q1) in the “Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Molecular Medicine)” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 30.

You can find more statistics on our website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/stats.

The current CiteScore measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Molecules and its growing impact in chemistry and all interfacing disciplines.

3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)

In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

Creating a space for exchange of views

The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.

Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.

Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain

The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.


Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:

  • MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
  • Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
  • Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)

We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.


MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).

A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!

Upcoming MDPI Summit events:

  • Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
  • US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
  • France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
  • US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
  • UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
  • Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
  • Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
    ...with more in between, and more to follow.

Impactful Research

50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex

Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.

I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.

“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”

Discoverability and reach

Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.

You can read our full announcement here.

Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.

Inside MDPI

 

One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office

On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.

A few highlights from the past year


Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)

Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.

In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.

The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.

The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.

“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”

Growth plans

Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.

Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.

Coming Together for Science

Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)

We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.

MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures

  • With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
  • In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
  • The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
  • Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
  • Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
  • In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
  • 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
  • MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.

The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome


Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.

The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.


Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Event Agenda – 27 May

Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:

  • MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
  • Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia


Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.

Closing Thoughts

Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing

A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.

As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.

Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.

MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

25 May 2025
Molecules Best Paper Award—Winners Announced

The editorial team would like to congratulate the winners of the Molecules Best Paper Award, chosen by a selection committee chaired by the Section Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Shaojun Yuan. All papers published in 2023 in Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) were considered for the award. After a thorough evaluation of the originality and significance of the papers, as well as citations and downloads, ten winners were selected.

Article:

First Prize:
CHF 500, an electronic certificate, and an opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

α-Tocopherol Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Activated BV2 Microglia
by Maria Ester La Torre, Antonia Cianciulli, Vincenzo Monda, Marcellino Monda, Francesca Martina Filannino, Laura Antonucci, Anna Valenzano, Giuseppe Cibelli, Chiara Porro, Giovanni Messina et al.
Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3340; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083340

Second Prize:
CHF 300, an electronic certificate, and an opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

Incorporation of a Boron–Nitrogen Covalent Bond Improves the Charge-Transport and Charge-Transfer Characteristics of Organoboron Small-Molecule Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells
by Jie Yang, Wei-Lu Ding, Quan-Song Li and Ze-Sheng Li
Molecules 2023, 28(2), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020811

Novel Pyrimidine Derivatives as Antioxidant and Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis and Molecular Modeling Studies
by Malama Myriagkou, Evangelia Papakonstantinou, Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou, Alexandros Patsilinakos, Christos Kontogiorgis and Eleni Pontiki
Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3913; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093913

Third Prize:
An opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

Characteristics of Hybrid Bioglass-Chitosan Coatings on the Plasma Activated PEEK Polymer
by Kacper Przykaza, Małgorzata Jurak, Grzegorz Kalisz, Robert Mroczka and Agnieszka Ewa Wiącek
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041729

Acenocoumarol Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Activity via the Suppression of NF-κB and MAPK Pathways in RAW 264.7 Cells
by Hyun-Ju Han and Chang-Gu Hyun
Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2075; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052075

Fish By-Products: A Source of Enzymes to Generate Circular Bioactive Hydrolysates
by Sandra Borges, Joana Odila, Glenise Voss, Rui Martins, Ana Rosa, José António Couto, André Almeida and Manuela Pintado
Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031155

Review:

First Prize:
CHF 500, an electronic certificate, and an opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

Photodynamic Therapy: From the Basics to the Current Progress of N-Heterocyclic-Bearing Dyes as Effective Photosensitizers
by Eurico Lima and Lucinda V. Reis
Molecules 2023, 28(13), 5092; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135092

Second Prize:
CHF 300, an electronic certificate, and an opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

Possible Side Effects of Polyphenols and Their Interactions with Medicines
by Aleksandra Duda-Chodak and Tomasz Tarko
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2536; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062536

Third Prize:
An opportunity to publish a paper free of charge in Molecules by the end of April 2026.

Application of Photocatalysis and Sonocatalysis for Treatment of Organic Dye Wastewater and the Synergistic Effect of Ultrasound and Light
by Guowei Wang and Hefa Cheng
Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3706; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093706

The Polypharmacological Effects of Cannabidiol
by Jorge Castillo-Arellano, Ana Canseco-Alba, Stephen J. Cutler and Francisco León
Molecules 2023, 28(7), 3271; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073271

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the Molecules Best Paper Award. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our authors for their continued support of Molecules and the Award Committee for voting and helping with this award.

Molecules Editorial Office

21 May 2025
Meet Us at the China Materials Conference 2025, 5–8 July 2025, Xiamen, China


The China Materials Conference 2025 will be held from 5 to 8 July 2025, in Xiamen, China. The conference is organized by the China Materials Society.

Areas include the following:

  • Energy materials;
  • Environmental materials;
  • Advanced structural materials;
  • Functional materials;
  • Material design, preparation and evaluation.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to initiate an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #4052 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://cmc2025.scimeeting.cn/.

19 May 2025
Molecules Exceptional Reviewers List 2025


We are pleased to share an updated version of the Exceptional Reviewers List 2025. This program was designed to recognize scholars who have delivered consistently exceptional review reports to our journal.

Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting the exchange of knowledge, Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) acknowledges the significant role that our reviewers play in maintaining the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. According to surveys conducted in 2024, 92% of our authors rate the peer-review process as good or excellent, thanks to our excellent reviewers.

We would like to express our appreciation to all the reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in the peer-review process of Molecules. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering important feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was introduced in April 2024. Every quarter, we will select a group of outstanding reviewers and announce them here.

Q1

Name: Prof. Dr. John Greenman
Affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK

Name: Prof. Dr. Dirk Poelman
Affiliation: Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium

Name: Prof. Dr. Ivo Piantanida
Affiliation: Division for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Croatia

Name: Prof. Dr. Haruhide Mori
Affiliation: Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Japan

Name: Prof. Dr. Luigi Dei
Affiliation: Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” & CSGI Consortium, University of Florence, Italy

14 May 2025
Meet Us at the EPF European Polymer Congress 2025, 22–27 June 2025, Groningen, the Netherlands


Conference: EPF European Polymer Congress 2025
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Place: Groningen, the Netherlands

We are excited to announce that MDPI journals will participate as exhibitors in the EPF European Polymer Congress 2025, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

With the theme “Polymers for a Sustainable Future”, EPF 2025 promises to be a landmark congress. It will bring together scientists engaged in macromolecular chemistry, polymer science, physics of polymers and polymer materials, modern polymer applications, polymer reaction engineering, rheology and polymer processing, polymer characterization methods and more areas. Special thematic sessions will cover a wide array of topics, including the following:

  • Advances in polymer synthesis;
  • Green polymer synthesis;
  • Supramolecular polymer systems, dynamic networks and vitrimers;
  • Polymers for biological, medical and food applications;
  • Physics, physical chemistry of polymers;
  • Modern characterization techniques;
  • Rheology and polymer processing;
  • Additive manufacturing;
  • Polymer systems for reduced carbon footprint;
  • Recycling techniques and design for recycling;
  • Nanostructured polymers, composites, blends and soft matter;
  • Theory, modeling and AI approaches of polymers and their properties.

The following MDPI journals will be presenting at the conference:

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 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.epf2025.org/.

13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025


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:

Speakers

Program and Content

Time

Dr. Stephen Mora

Introduction to MDPI

12:00–12:05 p.m.

 

How to Write and Structure a Research Article

12:05–12:45 p.m.

 

How to Respond to Reviewer Comments

12:45–1:30 p.m.

Dr. Stephen Mora has an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in kinesiology and health science from York University, Canada. He started working at MDPI in May 2024 and is now the Managing Editor of IJOM, a newly transferred society journal published by MDPI. During his graduate studies and MDPI tenure, Stephen has gained extensive experience in attending conferences, meeting with scholars, and hosting online and in-person presentations.

8 May 2025
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Chemical Reactions and Catalysis


Chemical reactions and catalysis is a fundamental and dynamic field focused on understanding the mechanisms, kinetics, and applications of chemical transformations. This discipline explores how reactants interact to form products, the role of catalysts in accelerating and controlling these processes, and the design of efficient and sustainable reaction pathways. Researchers in this field integrate principles from chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering to uncover new reactions, optimize catalytic systems, and develop innovative solutions for energy, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes.

MDPI’s cluster of chemical reactions and catalysis journals is committed to publishing cutting-edge research that advances the understanding of reaction mechanisms, catalytic design, and their practical applications. These journals collaborate to provide the scientific community with the latest discoveries, methodologies, and technological breakthroughs in the field, fostering innovation and sustainability in chemical sciences.

The ten participating journals include the following:

Catalysts (ISSN: 2073-4344) focuses on the study of catalysts and catalyzed reactions, including heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, biocatalysis, and enzymes, with an emphasis on reaction mechanisms, catalyst design, and applications in energy, environment, biomass conversion, organic and polymer chemistry, and other fields. Catalysts is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Keith Hohn (Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, Kansas State University, USA).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts.

Chemistry (ISSN: 2624-8549) focuses on interdisciplinary research across all chemical sciences, with special attention to catalytic processes, reaction mechanisms, and chemical kinetics while bridging fundamental discoveries with applications in energy, materials, and sustainability. Chemistry is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Igor Alabugin (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, USA).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/chemistry.

Electrochem (ISSN: 2673-3293) focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of electrochemical reactions, with particular emphasis on electrocatalytic processes, electrochemical synthesis, and energy-related applications in catalysis and reaction engineering. Electrochem is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Masato Sone (Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/electrochem.

Inorganics (ISSN: 2304-6740) focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of inorganic compounds and materials, with particular emphasis on catalytic processes, reaction mechanisms, and their applications in energy, environment, and biomedicine. Inorganics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Duncan H. Gregory (School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, UK).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/inorganics.

Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) focuses on publishing detailed experimental and theoretical research across all areas of chemistry, with particular emphasis on chemical reactions, catalysis, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, physical chemistry, nanochemistry, biochemistry, and interdisciplinary chemical sciences. Molecules is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Thomas J. Schmidt (Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Germany).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules.

Organics (ISSN: 2673-401X) focuses on advancing the field of organic chemistry through innovative synthetic methodologies, reaction development, and catalytic processes, with particular emphasis on organic synthesis, heterocyclic chemistry, organocatalysis, bioorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and functional organic materials. Organics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Wim Dehaen (Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven Chem&Tech, Belgium).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/organics.

Oxygen (ISSN: 2673-9801) focuses on the chemical reactivity and catalytic roles of oxygen in redox reactions, oxygen reduction processes, and reactive oxygen species, with applications spanning from chemical transformations to energy-related systems. Oxygen is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. John T. Hancock (School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, UK).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/oxygen.

Photochem (ISSN: 2673-7256) focuses on photocatalytic and photochemical reaction mechanisms, exploring light-driven transformations for synthetic, environmental, and energy applications. Photochem is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Dirk M. Guldi (Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/photochem.

Reactions (ISSN: 2624-781X) focuses on studies related to reaction chemistry and engineering, covering topics such as reaction mechanisms, kinetics, optimization, catalysis, monitoring, and various types of reaction engineering, including chemical, catalytic, electrochemical, photochemical, environmental, and polymerization processes, as well as reactor modeling and microreactor technology. Reactions is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Dmitry Yu. Murzin (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Finland).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/reactions.

Sustainable Chemistry (ISSN: 2673-4079) focuses on developing green processes and sustainable technologies for chemistry and chemical engineering that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Sustainable Chemistry is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Matthew Jones (Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, UK).
Journal webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/suschem.

 

Launch Year

Impact Factor (2023)

5-Year Impact Factor (2023)

CiteScore (2023)

First Decision (Median Days)

APC (CHF)

2011

3.8

3.9

6.8

13.9

2200

2019

2.4

2.4

3.2

17.2

1800

2020

/

/

6.3

20.5

1000

2013

3.1

2.6

2.8

15.8

2200

1996

4.2

4.6

7.4

15.1

2700

2020

1.4

1.5

2.5

22.4

1000

2021

/

/

/

19

1000

2021

/

/

3.6

20.4

1000

2020

2.2

2.1

2.7

20.6

1000

2020

/

/

/

32.2

1000

MDPI’s Mission and Values:
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

  • Open Access: All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
  • Timeliness and Efficiency: Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7-10 days upon acceptance;
  • Simplicity: Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
  • High-Quality Service: Supporting scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net to make a positive impact on research;
  • Flexibility: Adapting and developing new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;
  • Rooted in Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Articles:
“Recent Advances in Coke Management for Dry Reforming of Methane over Ni-Based Catalysts”
by Zhenchao Xu and Eun Duck Park
Catalysts 2024, 14(3), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14030176
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/14/3/176

“Systematic Investigation on Surface Diradicals Using Theoretical Models: 2M/MgO and 2M/BaO (M = Cu, Ag, and Au)”
by Kohei Tada, Koki Masuda, Ryohei Kishi and Yasutaka Kitagawa
Chemistry 2024, 6(6), 1572-1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6060095
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8549/6/6/95

“Use of Inner/Outer Sphere Terminology in Electrochemistry—A Hexacyanoferrate II/III Case Study”
by John F. Cassidy, Rafaela C. de Carvalho and Anthony J. Betts
Electrochem 2023, 4(3), 313-349; https://doi.org/10.3390/electrochem4030022
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3293/4/3/22

“Alkane Elimination Preparation of Heterobimetallic MoAl Tetranuclear and Binuclear Complexes Promoting THF Ring Opening”
by Léon Escomel, Erwann Jeanneau, Chloé Thieuleux and Clément Camp
Inorganics 2024, 12(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12030072
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/12/3/72

“Synthesis and Wittig Rearrangement of 3- and 4-Benzyloxyphenylphosphonamidates”
by R. Alan Aitken and Ryan A. Inwood
Organics 2023, 4(1), 59-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/org4010005
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-401X/4/1/5

“Energy Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer: The Role of Coenzyme Q10”
by David Mantle, Hannah Rowbottom, Jacob Jones, Indiia Margarita Potts, Nadia Turton, Mollie Dewsbury, Guillermo Lopez-Lluch and Iain P. Hargreaves
Oxygen 2024, 4(2), 122-138; https://doi.org/10.3390/oxygen4020008
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9801/4/2/8

“Photochemistry of β-γ-Unsaturated Spirolactones”
by Werner Fudickar, Melanie Metz, Tobias Krüger-Braunert, Alexandra Kelling, Eric Sperlich, Pablo Wessig and Torsten Linker
Photochem 2023, 3(4), 408-426; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem3040025
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7256/3/4/25

“Chemical Conversion of Fischer–Tropsch Waxes and Plastic Waste Pyrolysis Condensate to Lubricating Oil and Potential Steam Cracker Feedstocks”
by Philipp Neuner, David Graf, Niklas Netsch, Michael Zeller, Tom-Carlo Herrmann, Dieter Stapf and Reinhard Rauch
Reactions 2022, 3(3), 352-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/reactions3030026
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2624-781X/3/3/26

“Sustainable Technological Applications of Green Carbon Materials”
by Martinho Freitas, Luís Pinto da Silva, Pedro M. S. M. Rodrigues and Joaquim Esteves da Silva
Sustain. Chem. 2024, 5(2), 81-97; https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem5020007
Available online:
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4079/5/2/7

30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science

Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.

Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.

Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.

A closer look at the achievement

Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals. 

For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.

Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.

“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing

“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead

Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/

Looking to the future

This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.

Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.

Impactful Research

Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program

I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe. 

The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.

Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI

MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.

These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.

Our IOAP Team

A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.

These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.

What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?

For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.

For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.

Inside MDPI

MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment

Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.

Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html

Why is this important?

As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”

Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.

At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.

About the authors

Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.

Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.

Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.

Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.

Coming Together for Science

 

Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security


Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.

It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.

The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.

The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.

From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!


Awards

Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).

Plants 2025 Conference Team

The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).

Upcoming event

5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)

As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.

Find more upcoming MDPI events here.

Closing Thoughts

Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI

I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.

Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.

MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden

“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.

“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”

Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:

  • The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
  • Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
  • In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

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