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.

Peer reviewing is an essential part of the publication process, ensuring that Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) maintains its high standards for the quality of published papers. We wish to recruit expert reviewers to help uphold the quality and efficiency of Nanomaterials.

To qualify as a reviewer, applicants must have published several papers related to the topics covered by Nanomaterials in the last 5 years and hold a Ph.D. degree. You may check the “Peer Review” section in the MDPI Editorial Process for details related to reviewers by using the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/editorial_process. For example, reviewers should hold no conflicts of interest with any of the authors, reviewers should work for an official and recognized academic institution, etc.

We will extend the following benefits to reviewers:

• Reviewers will receive a discount voucher code based on review quality;
• Reviewers will be included in the journal’s annual acknowledgment of reviewers (example: https://www.mdpi.com/about/announcements/10614);
• Reviewers will be considered for the Nanomaterials Outstanding Reviewer Award, details of which can be found at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterials/awards/3345, and the Nanomaterials Exceptional Reviewers List;
• Reviewers can build their profiles on Publons and have their reviewing activity automatically added for participating journals, and Publons profiles can be integrated into ORCID.

For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/reviewers.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application at https://susy.mdpi.com/volunteer/journals/review.

We hope that you will join our team of reviewers. After your registration is approved, you will see a list of manuscripts that require reviewers.

If you have any other questions, please contact the Nanomaterials Editorial Office. We look forward to hearing from you.

Conference: The Fourth National Symposium on Cellulose of the Chinese Chemical Society
Date: 15–18 May 2025
Location: Guangzhou, China

The Fourth National Symposium on Cellulose of the Chinese Chemical Society will be held from 15 to 18 May 2025, in Guangzhou, China. The conference is organized by the Cellulose and Renewable Materials Division of the Chinese Chemical Society and the South China University of Technology.

Main Conference Themes:

• Structural regulation and characterization of lignocellulose (basic research on natural macromolecules such as cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, etc., physicochemical structural regulation, innovative analytical characterization means, and new understanding of their properties);
• Green pretreatment and efficient conversion of biomass (pretreatment of biomass resources, separation of components, new processes and methods of nanocellulose preparation, and new progress in the saccharification of biomass molecules and in the development of chemical or biocatalysts);
• Frontier research on biomass-based polymer materials (polymer materials in various forms such as membranes, gels, fibers, particles, etc., constructed from biomass polymers such as cellulose, nanocellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, chitosan, proteins, starch, PLA, etc., and their functionalized applications in the fields of biomedicine, etc.);
• Biomass and paper-based materials for energy and environmental applications (new biomass and paper-based materials applied in energy and environmental fields such as batteries, supercapacitors, nano-generators, transformers, electrocatalysis, wearable electronics, sensing, seawater desalination, radiation refrigeration, water purification, etc.);
• Innovative application of biomass in traditional and emerging industries (innovative application of cellulose and other biomass materials in traditional and emerging industries such as papermaking, textile, chemical industry, food, packaging, transportation and semiconductor, etc.)

The following MDPI journals will be represented in the conference:

• Polymers;
• Polysaccharides;
• Macromol;
• Gels;
• Nanomaterials;
• Marine Drugs;
• Sustainability;
• Compounds;
• Plants.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to contact us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://2025cellulose.scimeeting.cn/cn/web/index/27411.

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2025. This program was designed to recognize and honor scholars who have delivered consistently exceptional review reports to our journal.

Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) recognizes the significant role that our reviewers play in maintaining the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. According to the surveys conducted in 2024, 92% of our authors rate the peer review process as good or excellent, thanks to our pool of excellent reviewers.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in Nanomaterials’ peer review process. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering valuable feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are truly commendable.

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

Q1
Name: Dr. Aurelio Hierro-Rodriguez
Affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Oviedo, 33007 Oviedo, Spain
Interests: 3D nanomagnetism; nanofabrication; magnetic thin films; X-ray magnetic vector tomography
“I think that the review process is key to maintaining excellence in scientific research. Referees have a great responsibility as they ensure high-quality standards and help to construct a fairer, more honest and transparent scientific system by being critical, constructive, comprehensive and helpful to authors and editors.”

Name: Dr. Maria Luisa Della Rocca
Affiliation: Laboratoire des Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, Université Paris Cité, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
Interests: thermoelectricity; 2D materials; quantum transport; molecular electronics

Name: Dr. Nelson Filipe Lopes Dias
Affiliation: Institute of Materials Engineering, TU Dortmund University, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Interests: diamond-like carbon; amorphous carbon; magnetron sputtering; physical vapor deposition; tribology

Conference: The World Conference on Carbon 2025
Organization: Société Francophone d’Étude des Carbones and European Carbon Association
Date: 29 June–4 July 2025
Place: Saint-Malo, France

MDPI will be attending the World Conference on Carbon 2025 as an exhibitor, which will be held from 29 June to 4 July 2025. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

This conference is jointly organized by the Société Francophone d’Étude des Carbones (SFEC) and the University of Rennes, on behalf of the European Carbon Association (ECA).

Topics include the following:

• Carbon and biology, medicine, safety;
• Carbon and environment;
• Carbon and electrochemical processes and technologies;
• Carbon and catalysis;
• Carbon and electronics;
• Innovations in synthesis, processing, characterization, and modeling;
• Innovative materials;
• Carbon for structural applications and thermal management;
• Carbon nanoforms;
• Kerogens, coals, cokes, graphite, carbonization/graphitization processes;
• sp³ C-rich carbons;
• Perspectives on raw materials sourcing for carbon and graphite and industrial processes.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• C—Journal of Carbon Research;
• Nanomaterials;
• Materials;
• Surfaces;
• NDT;
• Technologies.

If you plan to attend this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://premc.org/carbon2025/.

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative: the Nanomaterials Special Issue Mentor Program.

This program will enable early career researchers (who must hold a Ph.D. in a related field) to gain experience in editing a Special Issue in an MDPI journal under the mentorship of our experienced Editorial Board Members or other experienced scientists. 

The mentor program will provide an excellent opportunity for early career scientists to gain editorial experience and cultivate their ability to edit scientific research.

The mentee’s responsibilities include the following:

• Proposing a Special Issue title and assisting the mentor in preparing a summary (around 200–400 words) and 3–10 keywords describing the background, importance, and goal of the Special Issue;
• Writing a brief promotion plan for the Special Issue;
• Preparing a list of scholars who may be interested in the Special Issue and personally e-mailing invitations on behalf of the Guest Editors;
• Writing an Editorial for the online Special Issue together with their mentor.

The mentor’s responsibilities include the following:

• Conducting a final check before the Special Issue is published online;
• Being responsible for editorial control of the Special Issue and quality control of the publications, both of which must be carried out in a timely manner;
• Providing suggestions to younger scholars if they have any doubts or concerns regarding submissions;
• Organizing regular video calls with young scholars and the Editorial Office to discuss problems and improvement suggestions for the Special Issue;
• Making and submitting decisions regarding submissions with the assistance of mentees.

Certificates and awards:
After the Special Issue closes, the Editorial Office will provide official certificates for all the mentors and early career researchers.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your Special Issue proposal to the Nanomaterials Editorial Office, and we will discuss the process (i.e., mentor collaboration, Special Issue topic feasibility analysis, etc.) in further detail.

In addition to the new Special Issue Mentor Program, Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) will continue to welcome all Special Issue proposals focusing on cutting-edge research topics.

Conference: The 16th European Congress on Catalysis (EuropaCat 2025)
Date: 31 August–5 September 2025
Location: Trondheim, Norway

MDPI will be attending the 16th European Congress on Catalysis (EuropaCat 2025) as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

This will be the 16th European Congress on Catalysis under the auspices of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS) and organized as a joint effort of the Nordic Catalysis Societies. The target groups for EuropaCat 2025 are academia and industry, focusing on fundamental research, applied research and development within catalysis.

EuropaCat 2025 urges you to join and bring excellent science, hard work, bright ideas, successful catalyst development, innovative solutions and an open mind. It is clear that mastering “the force” of catalysis will be vital for overcoming the resource and environmental challenges that lie ahead for humanity.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Catalysts;
• Solids;
• Energies;
• Materials;
• Chemistry;
• Symmetry;
• Applied Sciences;
• Nanomaterials;
• Photochem;
• C — Journal of Carbon Research.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information, please visit https://www.ntnu.edu/europacat2025.

The Nanomaterials Travel Award was launched in 2016, and it is granted every year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, helping to increase their influence. All winners are selected by the journal’s Award Committee.

Let us hear their opinions and hear about their experiences with scientific research and awards.

Meet Dr. Yinghong Zhou—Winner of the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award

Name: Dr. Yinghong Zhou
Affiliation: The University of Queensland, Australia
Research interests: stem cells; osteoimmunology; mineralised tissue regeneration (bone and teeth); tissue engineering; regenerative medicine

1. Can you briefly introduce the main focus of your research and its significance in the field of nanomaterials? What inspired you to pursue research in this field?

My research focuses on developing immunoengineered nanomaterials for bone and periodontal tissue regeneration, aiming to transform treatment approaches for bone defects and periodontal diseases. Periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss, affects millions worldwide and significantly impacts both oral and systemic health. By developing personalized, nanomaterial-based treatments, I seek to modulate immune responses and promote sustainable tissue regeneration, ultimately improving long-term clinical outcomes.

What drives me most is the opportunity to create a meaningful impact—helping individuals regain their smiles and improving their overall well-being. The pursuit of scientific innovation in regenerative dentistry inspires me daily, as I explore new solutions that have the potential to revolutionize oral healthcare and improve patients’ quality of life.

2. When and how did you become aware of the Nanomaterials journal, and what motivated you to apply for the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award?

I first became aware of the Nanomaterials journal early in my research career and frequently explored its publications in the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering. Its commitment to advancing nanoscience research and open access platform made it a valuable resource for my work.​

My motivation to apply for the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award stemmed from the importance of sharing research findings and engaging with the global scientific community. Attending international conferences is pivotal for fostering collaborations, exchanging ideas, and staying at the forefront of nanomaterials research. This award represents an excellent opportunity to present my work on an international stage and contribute to the ongoing advancements in the field.​

3. How will you promote the Nanomaterials journal at the conference? Apart from conferences, what are your preferred avenues for promoting Nanomaterials within your community?

I will highlight the Nanomaterials journal during my presentations, encouraging colleagues and attendees to consider it as a platform for disseminating their research.

Beyond conferences, I will promote the journal through my academic networks by sharing relevant articles with a wider audience. I will also introduce the journal to faculty and students during seminars and workshops, highlighting its relevance to ongoing research projects.​

4. Do you have any other suggestions regarding how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?

It would be great to see the journal develop Mentorship Programs that connect early-career researchers with established experts in nanomaterials, facilitating knowledge exchange and professional development. Additionally, educational workshops and webinars focused on research methodologies, scientific writing, and career development strategies would offer valuable opportunities to support the growth of the next generation of scientists.

Meet Dr. Francesca Lo Presti—Winner of the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award

Name: Dr. Francesca Lo Presti
Affiliation: Università degli Studi di Catania, Italy
Research interests: nanomaterials; thin films; film characterization; energy conversion; sol–gel

1. Can you briefly introduce the main focus of your research and its significance in the field of nanomaterials? What inspired you to pursue research in this field?

My research focuses on the production of nanomaterials in the form of thin films using vapor-phase or solution-based approaches. These materials exhibit different properties relevant to the fields of photovoltaics and piezoelectrics. The significance of this work lies in its potential to explore the capabilities of nanostructured thin films while preserving the key properties of bulk materials. This can lead to innovative applications and improved performance in various technologies.

2. When and how did you become aware of the Nanomaterialsjournal, and what motivated you to apply for the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award?

I became aware of Nanomaterials during my research, as I recently published an article in your journal. I also received a promotional email about this award, which caught my attention. I applied for the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award because I strongly believe in the importance of sharing research with other researchers. 

3. How will you promote the Nanomaterialsjournal at a conference? Apart from conferences, what are your preferred avenues for promoting Nanomaterialswithin your community?

At conferences, I will actively mention Nanomaterials in my presentations and discussions with colleagues. Beyond conferences, I have promoted Nanomaterials by sharing articles on social media, as well as by spreading awareness about the award.

4. As the winner of this award, would you like to take a moment to share your thoughts with our readers or express gratitude towards those who have played a significant role in your research accomplishments?

I am honored to receive the Nanomaterials 2025 Travel Award, and I appreciate this opportunity to present my research at an international conference. This recognition serves as a great motivation to continue exploring the fascinating world of nanomaterials.