Announcements

We are pleased to announce that Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) has expanded its social media presence with the launch of its official Bluesky account: https://bsky.app/profile/nanomaterialsmdpi.bsky.social.

In addition to our existing LinkedIn, X, and Facebook accounts, the new Bluesky account will provide another channel for sharing journal updates, Special Issue information, and research highlights across nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Nanomaterials publishes peer-reviewed, open access research on nanomaterials, including their synthesis, characterization, properties, modeling, and applications in areas such as energy, catalysis, photonics, electronics, sensing, environmental science, and biomedicine. Through our social media channels, we aim to help readers follow recent developments in the field and stay informed about journal activities.

We welcome researchers, authors, reviewers, editors, and readers interested in nanomaterials research to follow our Bluesky account and share it with colleagues who may find it useful.

Nanomaterials Editorial Office

We are pleased to share a selection of papers published in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) in Q1 2026 that have attracted high readership to date. This collection is based on objective article view data and highlights topics that have drawn attention from readers across different areas of nanomaterials research. The selected articles cover a broad range of subjects, including materials synthesis, surface and interface engineering, sensing, energy storage, photonic devices, environmental applications, and biomedical nanomaterials.

1. “Identifying Key Factors Affecting mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticles Drug Product Formulation Stability”
by Alireza Nomani, Aishwarya Saraswat, Heather Brown, Jimmy Chun-Tien Kuo, Huu Thuy Trang Duong, Jikang Wu, Yu Zhang, Yue Fu, Youmi Moon, Shafiq Wahidi et al.
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(4), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16040268

2. “Advances in Porous Silicon Materials for Sensing, Energy Storage, and Microelectronics”
by Yujie Wang and Donghua Wang
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(4), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16040257

3. “Sustainable Carbon Nanomaterials from Biomass Precursors: Green Synthesis Strategies and Environmental Applications”
by Ernesto Almaraz-Vega, Aislinn Itzel Morales-Vargas, Guillermo Gómez Delgado, Laura Castellanos-Arteaga, Ofelia Iñiguez Gómez and Claudia Cecilia Flores Salcedo
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16010075

4. “Compact, Energy-Efficient, High-Speed Electro-Optic Microring Modulator Based on Graphene-TMD 2D Materials”
by Jair A. de Carvalho, Daniel M. Neves, Vinicius V. Peruzzi, Anderson L. Sanches, Antonio Jurado-Navas, Thiago Raddo, Shyqyri Haxha and Jose C. Nascimento
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(3), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16030167

5. “Scanning-Based Dynamic Mask Projection for Ultrafast Laser Ablation of Thin Films”
by Jonas Amann, Markus Kircher, Andreas Otto, Balint Istvan Hajas, Alexander Kirnbauer, Justas Baltrukonis and Roland Fürbacher
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(4), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16040262

6. “Nanomaterial-Enabled Modulation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Dendritic Cells to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy”
by Anbu Mozhi Thamizhchelvan, Kory Wells, Jacob Pham, Ashan Galhena and Woojin Kim
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(3), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16030172

7. “Innovative Trinuclear Copper(I)-Based Metal–Organic Framework: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in Laser-Induced Graphene Supercapacitors”
by Hiba Toumia, Yu Kyoung Ryu, Habiba Zrida, Alicia De Andrés, María Belén Gómez-Mancebo, Natalia Brea Núñez, Fernando Borlaf, Ayoub Haj Said and Javier Martinez
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(3), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16030155

8. “Miniaturized High-Speed FBG Interrogator Based on a Photonic AWG Chip”
by Yunjing Jiao, Kun Yao, Qijing Lin, Jiaqi Du, Yueqi Zhao, Kaichen Ye, Bin Sun and Zhuangde Jiang
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020089

9. “Core–Shell Plasmonic Nanocomposites with Synergistic Photothermal and Photochemical Activity for Biomedical Applications”
by Anca Roibu, Florina Silvia Iliescu, Ana-Maria Zamfirescu, Elena Radu, Laura-Elena Andrei, Amarachi Rosemary Osi, Georgeta-Luminița Gheorghiu, Cornel Cobianu and Ciprian Iliescu
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(3), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16030174

10. “Recent Advances and Challenges of Textile-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Smart Healthcare and Sports Applications”
by Lijun Chen, Jie Wu, Ke Xu, Yuanyuan Zhang and Chaoyu Chen
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16020141

The following collection features 10 selected papers on advanced nanosensors for environmental monitoring, which were recently published in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991). They cover recent advancements in nanomaterial-based sensing strategies for the detection of PFAS, heavy metal ions, and hazardous gases, as well as the design of electrochemical, fluorescent, and chemoresistive sensor platforms for water and air monitoring. Taken together, they reflect ongoing efforts to improve the sensitivity, selectivity, and practical applicability of nanosensors for tracking environmental pollutants and supporting more effective monitoring of water and atmospheric quality. The following papers will be of particular interest to you:

1. “An MIP-Based PFAS Sensor Exploiting Nanolayers on Plastic Optical Fibers for Ultra-Wide and Ultra-Low Detection Ranges—A Case Study of PFAS Detection in River Water”
by Rosalba Pitruzzella, Alessandro Chiodi, Riccardo Rovida, Francesco Arcadio, Giovanni Porto, Simone Moretti, Gianfranco Brambilla, Luigi Zeni and Nunzio Cennamo
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(21), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14211764
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/21/1764

2. “Rapid and Ultrasensitive Short-Chain PFAS (GenX) Detection in Water via Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with a Hierarchical Nanofibrous Substrate”
by Ali K. Ismail, Shobha Mantripragada, Renzun Zhao, Sherine O. Obare and Lifeng Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(9), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15090655
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/9/655

3. “Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Sensing Interfaces for Monitoring Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Environments”
by Cheng Yin, Yao Liu, Tingting Hu and Xing Chen
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(7), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15070564
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/7/564

4. “Rational Design of a Portable Chemometric-Assisted Voltammetric Sensor Based on Ion-Imprinted Polymeric Film for Co(II) Determination in Water”
by Sabrina Di Masi, Nelson Arturo Manrique Rodriguez, Marco Costa, Giuseppe Egidio De Benedetto and Cosimino Malitesta
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(6), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060536
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/6/536

5. “Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of N, S Co-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Fluorescent Sensing of Fe(III) and Hydroquinone in Water and Cell Imaging”
by Zhaochuan Yu, Chao Deng, Wenhui Ma, Yuqian Liu, Chao Liu, Tingwei Zhang and Huining Xiao
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1827; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221827
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/22/1827

6. “Recent Advances in Chemoresistive Gas Sensors Using Two-Dimensional Materials”
by Jae-Kwon Ko, In-Hyeok Park, Kootak Hong and Ki Chang Kwon
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(17), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14171397
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/17/1397

7. “Highly Sensitive and Selective SnO₂-Gr Sensor Photoactivated for Detection of Low NO₂ Concentrations at Room Temperature”
by Isabel Sayago, Carlos Sánchez-Vicente and José Pedro Santos
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(24), 1994; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14241994
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/24/1994

8. “Hierarchical Heterojunctions of Metal Sulfide WS₂ Nanosheets/Metal Oxide In₂O₃ Nanofibers for an Efficient Detection of Formaldehyde”
by Lei Zhu, Jiaxin Zhang, Jianan Wang, Jianwei Liu and Wei Yan
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(21), 1702; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14211702
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/21/1702

9. “Sub-ppb H₂S Sensing with Screen-Printed Porous ZnO/SnO₂ Nanocomposite”
by Mehdi Akbari-Saatlu, Masoumeh Heidari, Claes Mattsson, Renyun Zhang and Göran Thungström
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(21), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14211725
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/21/1725

10. “Oxygenated VOC Detection Using SnO₂ Nanoparticles with Uniformly Dispersed Bi₂O₃”
by Haoyue Yang, Koichi Suematsu, Felipe Hiroshi Mashiba, Ken Watanabe and Kengo Shimanoe
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(24), 2032; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14242032
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/24/2032 

The Editorial Office of Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) is pleased to announce an open call for applications for the position of Section Editor-in-Chief for the journal Section “Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing”.

We are seeking an outstanding researcher with a strong scientific background in nanoprocessing approaches, including various top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid nanofabrication approaches, covering patterning, etching, deposition, and nanoscale structural modulation. The ideal candidate should demonstrate enthusiasm for editorial leadership, support MDPI’s mission and values, and actively promote open access publishing.

Previous editorial experience—such as editing Special Issues or Topical Collections, or serving as a Reviewer or Editorial Board Member—will be considered an advantage.

Responsibilities of the Section Editor-in-Chief:

The selected candidate will play a key role in overseeing the growth and scientific development of the section and its Editorial Board. The initial appointment term will be two years and includes the following responsibilities:

• Acting as an ambassador for Nanomaterials, MDPI, and open access publishing;
• Making scientific decisions regarding the scope and direction of the Section;
• Inviting distinguished scientists to join the Editorial Board;
• Suggesting and supporting topics for Special Issues;
• Providing guidance and support to Editorial Board Members and editorial staff where required;
• Maintaining oversight of the editorial process for manuscripts submitted to the Section, including making final publication decisions following peer review and revisions;
• Upholding MDPI’s peer review standards and publication ethics guidelines.

Benefits of the position:

The Section Editor-in-Chief will be eligible for the following:

• An annual honorarium;
• Travel grants for international conferences;
• The opportunity to publish 1 paper per year free of charge in Nanomaterials;
• The ability to invite high-quality papers at a discount.

This position is open to experts in related aspects of nanofabrication and nanomanufacturing and will remain open until the journal formally announces the Section Editor-in-Chief online. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact the Nanomaterials Editorial Office.

Application process:

Researchers interested in applying are invited to submit the following materials to the Editorial Office at nanomaterials@mdpi.com:

• A current CV;
• A brief vision statement outlining their ideas and plans for the future development of the “Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing” Section and the journal.

For additional information regarding the position, please feel free to contact the Editorial Office.

The Editorial Office, in collaboration with the Editorial Board, will carefully review all applications and contact shortlisted candidates directly.

Effective visual representation clarifies research methodology and results. A clear graphical abstract allows readers to easily understand a study’s main points. To support our authors in preparing these materials, we have curated a list of 10 highly cited papers from Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991), published in 2024, with well-structured graphical abstracts. These selections illustrate the integration of impactful research with standard visual communication.

1. “Enhanced Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye on Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes”
by Ludovica Ceroni, Stefania Benazzato, Samuel Pressi, Laura Calvillo, Ester Marotta and Enzo Menna
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(6), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14060522

2. “Strontium and Zinc Co-Doped Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles for Potential Use in Bone Tissue Engineering Applications”
by Parichart Naruphontjirakul, Meng Li and Aldo R. Boccaccini
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070575

3. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Ecotoxicology Assessment of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by In Vivo Models”
by Ileska M. Casiano-Muñiz, Melissa I. Ortiz-Román, Génesis Lorenzana-Vázquez and Félix R. Román-Velázquez
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14030255

4. “Microwave-Responsive Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Enhanced In Vitro Controlled Release of Doxorubicin”
by Syeda Fiza Fatima, Rana Sabouni, Ghaleb Husseini, Vinod Paul, Hassan Gomaa and Remya Radha
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(13), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14131081

5. “Pain-Free Alpha-Synuclein Detection by Low-Cost Hierarchical Nanowire Based Electrode”
by Gisella M. Di Mari, Mario Scuderi, Giuseppe Lanza, Maria Grazia Salluzzo, Michele Salemi, Filippo Caraci, Elena Bruno, Vincenzina Strano, Salvo Mirabella and Antonino Scandurra
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14020170

6. “Metal–Organic Frameworks for Overcoming the Blood–Brain Barrier in the Treatment of Brain Diseases: A Review”
by Hafezeh Nabipour and Sohrab Rohani
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(17), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14171379

7. “Poly(Allylamine Hydrochloride) and ZnO Nanohybrid Coating for the Development of Hydrophobic, Antibacterial, and Biocompatible Textiles”
by Nives Matijaković Mlinarić, Barbara Wawrzaszek, Klaudia Kowalska, Atiđa Selmani, Aleksander Učakar, Janja Vidmar, Monika Kušter, Nigel Van de Velde, Polonca Trebše, Andrijana Sever Škapin et al.
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070570

8. “Simultaneous Detection of Carbon Quantum Dots as Tracers for Interwell Connectivity Evaluation in a Pattern with Two Injection Wells”
by Stephania Rosales, Karol Zapata, Farid B. Cortes, Benjamín Rojano, Carlos Diaz, Carlos Cortes, David Jaramillo, Adriana Vasquez, Diego Ramirez and Camilo A. Franco
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090789

9. “Sensors Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in the Field of Cancer Biomarker Detection: A Review”
by Camila Quezada, S. Shiva Samhitha, Alexis Salas, Adrián Ges, Luis F. Barraza, María Carmen Blanco-López, Francisco Solís-Pomar, Eduardo Pérez-Tijerina, Carlos Medina and Manuel Meléndrez
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(16), 1361; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14161361

10. “Graphene Oxide (GO)-Based Bioink with Enhanced 3D Printability and Mechanical Properties for Tissue Engineering Applications”
by Katarzyna Kosowska, Paulina Korycka, Kamila Jankowska-Snopkiewicz, Joanna Gierałtowska, Milena Czajka, Katarzyna Florys-Jankowska, Magdalena Dec, Agnieszka Romanik-Chruścielewska, Maciej Małecki, Kinga Westphal et al.
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090760

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Nanomaterials 2025 Most Popular Cover Selection. Each winner will receive CHF 100 and a certificate. The winners are listed below, in no particular order.

	“Nanocomposites for Multifunctional Sensors: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Exploration” by Antonio del Bosque, Georgios Lampropoulos and Diego Vergara Nanomaterials 2025, 15(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15010034 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/34
	“Progress in Nanofluid Technology: From Conventional to Green Nanofluids for Biomedical, Heat Transfer, and Machining Applications” by Beatriz D. Cardoso, Glauco Nobrega Andrews Souza, Inês S. Afonso, Lucas B. Neves, Carlos Faria, João Ribeiro and Rui A. Lima Nanomaterials 2025, 15(16), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15161242 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/16/1242
	“Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Cardio-Specific Peptide” by Federica Mancini, Lorenzo Degli Esposti, Alessio Adamiano, Jessica Modica, Daniele Catalucci, Dora Mehn, Otmar Geiss and Michele Iafisco Nanomaterials 2025, 15(2), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15020094 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/94
	“Will Quantum Topology Redesign Semiconductor Technology?” by Giuseppina Simone Nanomaterials 2025, 15(9), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15090671 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/9/671

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2026. This program was established to recognize and honor scholars who have consistently delivered exceptional review reports to our journal. Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) acknowledges the vital role our reviewers play in maintaining the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. According to surveys conducted in 2025, 93% of our authors rated the peer review process as good or excellent, reflecting the strength and effectiveness of our reviewer community.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the 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. Marcin Szalkowski
Affiliation: Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Interests: plasmonics; nanotechnology; luminescence; optics; lanthanides

Name: Dr. Zina Vuluga
Affiliation: National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry—ICECHIM, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: polymer composites and nanocomposites; inorganic-organic hybrid; nanomechanical characterization; plastic materials processing; compatibilization; polymer-inorganic interface

Name: Prof. Dr. Larry Forbes
Affiliation: Department of Mathematics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, G.P.O. Box 37, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
Interests: electronic and magnetic properties of condensed matter; superconductivity; microfluidics and nanofluidics; medical physics

The following collection features 10 selected papers on agricultural nanotechnology and soil remediation, recently published in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991). These papers cover recent work on nanopesticides, nanocarriers, nanofertilizers, plant–nanomaterial interactions, and nanomaterial-based strategies for the remediation of contaminated soils. Together, they reflect ongoing efforts to support crop production, reduce environmental impact, and improve soil management through the design and application of functional nanomaterials. We believe the following papers will be of particular interest to you:

1. “Nanocarrier-Based Eco-Friendly RNA Pesticides for Sustainable Management of Plant Pathogens and Pests”
by Heng Qiao, Jingyi Chen, Min Dong, Jie Shen and Shuo Yan
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(23), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14231874

2. “pH and Pectinase Dual-Responsive Zinc Oxide Core-Shell Nanopesticide: Efficient Control of Sclerotinia Disease and Reduction of Environmental Risks”
by Qiongmei Mai, Yu Lu, Qianyu Cai, Jianglong Hu, Yunyou Lv, Yonglan Yang, Liqiang Wang, Yuezhao Zhou and Jie Liu
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(24), 2022; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14242022

3. “Surface Polyphenol Coordination Drives Efficient Foliar Deposition of Pesticide Nanocarriers”
by Manli Yu, Bo Cui, Lidong Cao, Qiliang Huang, Junwei Yao and Zhanghua Zeng
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(23), 1775; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15231775

4. “Transport of Nanoparticles into Plants and Their Detection Methods”
by Anca Awal Sembada and I. Wuled Lenggoro
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14020131

5. “Iron–Integrated Nitrogen–Rich Nanocarriers Boost Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Growth in Soybean (Glycine max)”
by Taiming Zhang, Weichen Zhao, Muhammed Nadeem, Usama Zaheer and Yukui Rui
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(18), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15181453

6. “Multi-Batch Consecutive Foliar Spraying Zinc–Carbon Dot Nano-Fertilizer Improving Soil Health for Bok Choy Cultivation Production”
by Mengna Tao, Jiangshan Zhang, Yuying Ren, Dingge Zhang, Bingxu Cheng and Chuanxi Wang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(22), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15221714

7. “Nano-Biotechnology in Soil Remediation: Use of Nanomaterials to Promote Plant Growth and Stress Tolerance”
by Xunfeng Chen, Shuoqi Wang, Huijuan Lai, Linjing Deng, Qin Zhong, Charles Obinwanne Okoye, Qijian Niu, Yanping Jing, Juncai Wang and Jianxiong Jiang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(22), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15221743

8. “Green Synthesis of Biochar-Supported Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Using Tea Polyphenol for Efficient Cadmium Immobilization in Soil”
by Ziyong Jia, Huizi Wang, Shupei Yuan, Weifeng Zhang and Daijun Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(19), 1460; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15191460

9. “Dosage of Sulfidized Nano Zero-Valent Iron, Soil Moisture and pH Influences on Fraction of Arsenic and Cadmium in Contaminated Paddy Soil”
by Jiabing Wu, Jianxiong Xie, Hang Wei, Pengran Guo and Zhiliang Chen
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(23), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15231768

10. “A Mechanistic Approach Toward Enhanced Remediation Potential of Thiacloprid by Zero-Valent Iron/Biochar Supplemented with Organic Acids”
by Lin Pan, Shuai Qu and Longfei Liu
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(8), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15080570

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.