Announcements

It is our great honor to congratulate the Editorial Board Members and Editors in MDPI's journals who have been distinguished as 2021 Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, according to Web of Science data. We herewith express our gratitude for the immense impact the named researchers continue to make on scientific progress and on our journals' development.

Clarivate's annual list of Highly Cited Researchers^TM identifies the most highly cited scientists for the past decade. Their impactful papers are among the top 1 per cent in the citation distribution of one or more of 22 fields analyzed in the "Essential Science Indicators", distinguishing them as hugely influential among their peers.

The full list of 2021 Highly Cited Researchers  can be accessed at the following webpage in the Web of Science^TM https://recognition.webofscience.com/awards/highly-cited/2021/.

--- Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) is a Clarivate product.

Academic editors play a crucial role in leading our journals and ensuring that each article undergoes a robust and timely peer-review. With the launch of Topics this year and addition of Topic Editors to our family of academic editors, we decided it would be a good time to restructure our academic boards, thus providing more clarity and support for each role. MDPI is pleased to announce the launch of a new position—Topical Advisory Panel Member, that will replace the previous position of Topics Board Member. The Topical Advisory Panel will be comprised of early career researchers eager to gain experience in editorial work.

The main responsibility of the new members of the Topical Advisory Panel is to regularly provide support to Guest Editors, Topic Editors, and Section Board Members. The responsibilities of the Topical Advisory Panel are available here: https://www.mdpi.com/editors.

Each year, the members’ performances are evaluated, and outstanding members are promoted to the Editorial Board by the Editor-in-Chief.

To qualify as a Topical Advisory Panel Member, applicants must:

• Have expertise and experience in the field related to the journal;
• Have received a Ph.D. in the last 10 years, approximately;
• Have at least 6-8 published papers in the last 5 years as first author or corresponding author;
• Currently hold an independent research position in academia or a government institute.

If you are interested in this role, please contact the editorial office by email.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Founded in 1996, MDPI was one of the first fully Open Access publisher. Over 25 years MDPI has grown to become the largest Open Access publisher globally, publishing over 160,000 articles across more than 350 journals in 2020. At the core, MDPI was founded in response to a pressing need of fast publication and inclusion. The scholar was set at the centre of the publication process for the first time. Acting as a service provider, rather than a product provider, MDPI exists to help scientists achive their objective to disseminate research results. At MDPI, we believe scientists deserve a better service from the publishing world.

The International Open Access Week (Open Access Week), founded by the SPARC (the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) Alliance and student partners in 2008, has been successfully running for 13 years. As an advocate and pioneer of open access publishing, MDPI actively responds to the call of International Open Access Week. This year’s theme of “It Matters How We Open Knowledge: Building Structural Equity” highlights the Recommendation’s call for equitable participation from all authors and readers.

For the last 25 years, MDPI has been committed to disseminating open research. Here is a video showing MDPI’s Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity for More than 25 Years.

International Open Access Week is an important opportunity to catalyze new conversations, create connections across and between communities that can facilitate this co-design, and advance progress in the building of more equitable foundations for opening knowledge—discussions and actions that need to be continued, year in and year out. MDPI has always aimed to provide professional and efficient publishing services to scholars around the world.

Our mission is to make scientific research accessible to everyone; this year, we interview and hold discussions with open science ambassadors on how to build an equal and inclusive environment for open science. Academic editors help us collaborate with more institutions to advocate for open access ideas.

Read our anniversary blog post: "Sharing 'Collective Human Knowledge': The Benefits of Open Access Publication"

Besides this, our scientific community is a key driver of our success and MDPI’s remarkable growth. Despite the pandemic, we have prepared online conferences and workshops to gather scholars from different communities.

The Basel Sustainable Publishing online forum provides an equal opportunity for stakeholders and researchers from multi-cultural environments to exchange ideas and eliminate barriers to participation.

Conference date: 25 October 2021, online
Conference website: https://bspf2021.sciforum.net/
Main topics: MDPI discusses the current dilemma of open access science from various perspectives such as governments, libraries, and publishers, and related measures on how to change the status quo of discrimination from a global perspective.

We aim to support equality, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in scholarly communications. We collaborate with universities and key laboratories and have scholarly communications with researchers, teachers, and students on open access workshops.

• 25 October 2021
  Energies journal and Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• 28 October 2021
  Machines journal and State Key Laboratory of Traction Power, Southwest Jiaotong University

• 29 October 2021
  Processes journal and Beijing Institute of Technology

• 29 October 2021
  Coatings journal and Wuhan University of Technology

MDPI is committed to providing open access and high-quality publishing services for scholars and promoting rapid dissemination of academic achievements. We hope to promote the practices and policies of open access publishing and diversify the dissemination of academic achievements.

MDPI will be attending the 21st Chinese Zeolite Conference (21 CZC), hosted by the Chinese Zeolite Association and China University of Petroleum, which will be held from 27 to 30 September 2021 in Qingdao, China. The conference will be held at the International Conference Center of China Railway Qingdao World Expo City. More than 1500 delegates are expected to attend.

The theme of this conference is “Porous Materials and Future Energy”. The conference aims to show the latest progress in the field of zeolite and porous material in China and discuss the responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges in zeolite and related porous functional material chemistry in the new era of energy reform and sustainable development. We also aim to further promote the development and achievements of zeolite science and technology.

The main topics of the conference include: the synthesis, modification, and characterization of porous zeolite materials; host-guest chemistry and functional materials; adsorption, separation, and diffusion performances; porous material catalysis and chemical processes; theoretical calculations and simulations of porous material properties, structures, and applications.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Separations;
• Energies;
• Crystals;
• Materials;
• Membranes;
• Inorganics;
• Sustainability;
• Sustainable Chemistry;
• Symmetry;
• Reactions.

If you are also attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#B20). Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.chemsoc.org.cn/meeting/21czc/.

Rigorous peer-review is the cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing. Over 369,916 scholars served as reviewers for MDPI journals in 2020. We are extremely appreciative of all those who made a contribution to the editorial process in this capacity. At the beginning of every year, journal editorial offices publish a list of all reviewers’ names to express our gratitude. In addition, this year, the MDPI Top Reviewer Award was announced, to recognize the very best reviewers for their expertise and dedication, and their high-quality, and timely review reports. We are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2020 MDPI Top Reviewer Award:

• Adriana Burlea-Schiopoiu;
• Alban Kuriqi;
• Álvaro González-Vila;
• Alessandro Alaimo;
• Alexey Beskopylny;
• Alexander Yu Churyumov;
• Alberto Fernández-Isabel;
• Andrea Mastinu;
• Antonios N. Papadopoulos;
• Anton Rassõlkin;
• Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino;
• Arkadiusz Matwijczuk;
• Artur Słomka;
• Baojie He;
• Bartłomiej Potaniec;
• Bojan Đurin;
• Camilo Arturo Rodriguez Diaz;
• Carmelo Maria Musarella;
• Chiachung Chen;
• Chiman Kwan;
• Cristian Busu;
• Danil Pimenov;
• Dan-Cristian Dabija;
• Delfín Ortega-Sánchez;
• Demetrio Antonio Zema;
• Denis Butusov;
• Elena Lucchi;
• Gaurab Dutta;
• Livia Anastasiu;
• M. R. Safaei.

For more information about how to become a reviewer of MDPI journals, please see: www.mdpi.com/reviewers.

UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. In 2020 the SDG Publishers Compact was launched, aimed to inspire publishers and accelerate progress to achieve the 17 goals by 2030. Members of the programme are committed to support the publication of materials that will promote and inspire actions towards SDGs.

MDPI is an eager advocate of SDGs and has already been supporting the programme by creating Special Issues and publishing a series of books on SDGs prior to joining the Compact in 2021. MDPI's Sustainability Foundation initiated the World Sustainability Awards in 2016. We fully support UN's goals to promote sustainable actions that make the world a better place for all and, as part of its commitment, we will focus our actions on SDG10: Reduced Inequalities whilst promoting all 17 SDGs. For more details, please visit the programme’s website: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sdg-publishers-compact/.

Joining this initiative was a unanimous decision. MDPI has in its core values the dissemination of science for all, breaking the wall between research access and under-represented members of the scientific community and the general population. To support this initiative further and continue to support under-represented scientists, MDPI will take a series of actions that will be announced once ready.

The first action MDPI takes is to nominate Dr. Liliane Auwerter as the coordinator of the programme. Dr. Auwerter studied Environmental Process Technology (UTFPR, Brazil), obtained her MSc degree in Water and Environmental Engineering (University of Surrey, UK) and in 2020 completed her PhD in self-healing low-friction materials for water transport (Imperial College London, UK), always focusing on diverse scientific projects that would potentially bring sustainability to industrial processes. As a student in Brazil, she engaged in volunteering activities focused on environmental education and took part in the Millennial Development Goals meetings held at the university.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Liliane Auwerter
Scientific Officer
liliane.auwerter@mdpi.com

Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) has launched a new section entitled “Bioactive Lipids”. If you are an active researcher in a relevant field of research and are passionate about contributing to the publication of cutting-edge research, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board.

The Section “Bioactive Lipids” of the journal Molecules publishes original, fundamental, and impactful research and timely review articles on bioactive lipids. The Section covers all aspects of this rapidly growing field of investigation, with the aim of increasing our understanding of how the chemical structure of bioactive lipids determines their pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical properties and, hence, their therapeutic potential. The main scope is covered by, but not limited to, the following core research areas:

• The structures and chemical properties of (i) eicosanoids (e.g., leukotrienes, lipoxins and prostanoids like prostaglandins, prostacyclines, and thromboxanes), (ii) endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamide [N-arachidonoylethanolamine], other N-acylethanolamines, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, other acyl esters and endocannabinoid-like compounds), (iii) specialized proresolving mediators (e.g., resolvins, maresins, (neuro)protectins), (iv) steroids, and (v) isoprostanes, sphingosines, and plasmalogens;
• The structures and chemical properties of plant-derived cannabinoids (terpeno-phenol compounds, also known as phytocannabinoids), and of additional natural compounds such as terpenoids (including sterols), carotenoids, and phenolics (including flavonoids);
• The structural and functional properties of metabolic enzymes that synthesize bioactive lipids both in vivo and in vitro;
• The structural and functional properties of the transporters that move bioactive lipids intracellularly, across the plasma membrane, and extracellularly;
• The structural and functional properties of the receptor targets of bioactive lipids, along with molecular details of the signal transduction pathways triggered thereof.

MDPI will be attending the 2021 Chinese Medicinal Chemistry Symposium and CPA-EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (CMCS 2021), hosted by the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, which will be held from Monday, 27 September, until Thursday, 30 September 2021, in Shenyang, China.

As a top-level biennial event in the medicinal chemistry and the related fields in China, CMCS aims to boost the information exchange and communication between peers in frontiers of medicinal chemistry and the relevant fields. According to the cooperation framework agreement signed by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) and the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC), the CPA-EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (CPA-EFMC ISMC) will be held concurrently.

The topics covered will include the frontiers and hotspots of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, innovative drug research for major diseases, rational drug design strategies and new methods, lead compound discovery and optimization strategies, natural active substance discovery and structural modification, and modern drug preparation technology and innovation craft.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Antibiotics;
• Medical Sciences.

If you are also attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#16). Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://cmcs2021.syphu.edu.cn/Home.htm.

Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) has launched a new section entitled “Inorganic Chemistry”. If you are an active researcher in a relevant field of research and are passionate about contributing to the publication of cutting-edge research, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board.

The “Inorganic Chemistry” Section of Molecules covers all fundamental and applied aspects of the inorganic chemistry of discrete and condensed matter inorganic compounds and materials. This includes studies on the synthesis of new compounds and materials, the characterization of their structures by experimental and theoretical means, and the exploration of their chemical and physical properties in addition to their applications. Studies aimed at establishing the structure–property relationships in known compounds and materials are also important subjects covered in the “Inorganic Chemistry” Section.

Publications in this Section will include original and innovative studies and applications that will enrich knowledge on inorganic chemistry in the form of full-length articles, communications of current interest, and review articles on topics of emerging interest from leading scientists. Special Issues on hot topics will also be published in this Section.

Topics of interest to the “Inorganic Chemistry” Section include, but are not limited to:

• Synthesis of inorganic and organic/inorganic hybrid compounds;
• Studies of mixed-valence compounds;
• Molten-salt-mediated and hydrothermal reaction methods;
• Studies of rare-earth compounds and their properties;
• Development of nanomaterials and semiconductor materials;
• Photocatalysts for hydrogen production and photo-oxidation;
• Synthesis of nanoporous materials and composites;
• Inorganic biomaterial composites for energy applications;
• Studies of optical and magnetic compounds and materials;
• Studies of superconducting, multiferroic and thermoelectric materials;
• Investigation of linear and nonlinear optical properties;
• Theoretical and computational studies of structure–property relationships.

If you have any questions, please contact molecules@mdpi.com.

Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) has just launched one new Section: “Macromolecular Chemistry”. If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board and contributing to the Section.

The Section “Macromolecular Chemistry” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/macromolecular_chemistry) publishes original, fundamental, impactful research and timely review articles on all aspects of polymer science. The journal covers all aspects of polymer synthesis, including polymerization mechanisms and chemical functional transformations, with a focus on novel polymers and the relationships between molecular structure and polymer properties. In addition, we welcome submissions on bio-based, natural, or renewable polymers, stimuli-responsive systems, and polymer bio-hybrids. The main topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Novel synthetic routes for polymerization, functional modification, controlled/living polymerization, and precision polymers;
• Polymerization mechanisms and kinetics;
• Macromolecular structure and function and advanced characterization of polymers;
• Sustainable polymer synthesis, bio-based, natural, biodegradable, and polymeric bio-nanocomposites;
• Supramolecular polymers and self-assembly;
• Polymers for regenerative medicine and biomedical applications or drug delivery release;
• Synthesis and application of novel polymers.

This position is open to experts in all aspects of macromolecular chemistry. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Hanna Xiong (hanna.xiong@mdpi.com) from the Molecules Editorial Office.