Announcements
17 May 2024
Tu Youyou Award—Open for Nominations
16 May 2024
MDPI Romania Author Training Academic Events in April
MDPI Romania sponsored four events over the month of April, contributing author training sessions to each event.
The NutriSciLabs 2024 conference was held at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy on 12 April 2024. Organized by the Association of Students from the Faculty of Pharmacy Studies, the conference aimed to enhance students’ academic writing and research skills, and bolster their confidence in participating in the academic world. Ioana Paunescu, journal relations specialist for MDPI Romania, led the training session. Paunescu first outlined MDPI’s history and core values, then explained academic writing techniques, ethics, and similarity percentages. The presentation covered the entire editorial process, highlighting the amount of attention paid to details throughout manuscript processing. Paunescu also discussed common errors that authors make while writing, and how to avoid such errors.
On 13 April 2024, the NextGEN 2.0 Student Conference took place at the Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. NextGen Healthcare organized this event with the university’s European Students’ Society to discuss European and international current affairs. MDPI Romania contributed an author training session called Steps of the Publication Process. Irina Codruta Zaharia, journal relations specialist, began the session with a general introduction of MDPI before diving into different article types, different layout formats, possible journals to submit to, the MDPI submission checklist, and the MDPI editorial process. By explaining the fundamentals of writing and publishing academic papers, Zaharia imparted valuable industry knowledge to the curious minds present. Participants were eager to engage with Zaharia in the subsequent Q&A session.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the International Conference “Students for Students” has long been a gathering place for undergraduate and postgraduate students of all nationalities to present their work and exchange ideas with each other. This year’s conference was held on 18 April 2024, with MDPI Romania contributing an author training session called The World of Open Access. Key speakers included Dr. Norbert Kiss from MDPI Romania and Prof. Dragos Horvath from Strasbourg University. Dr. Kiss discussed the history of open access, differences between open access publishing and traditional publishing, and implications for open access in the future. Attendees expressed keen interest in the subject, approaching Dr. Kiss with questions about academic publishing as well as his career trajectory.
Most recently, on 26 April 2024, MDPI Romania sponsored the National Symposium of Students from Geology and Geophysics Faculties. The AAPG Students Chapter at the Babes-Bolyai University organized this event as an opportunity for geology students from all Romanian universities to present their work and confer with other researchers. Dr. Kiss gave his lecture The World of Open Access at this event as well.
MDPI is thankful to all the participants, speakers, and organizers who attended these events. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these events were great successes.
14 May 2024
Nanomaterials Webinar | Advances in Nanomaterials for Thermo- and Photocatalysis for Environmental and Energy Applications, 20 May 2024
Of late, the use of nanomaterials has been strongly expanding in most fields of modern life, and as a result, the interest of academic and industrial researchers is constantly growing. In this context, the aim of this webinar is to explore the recent advances in the preparation of nanostructured materials, their characterization, and their use in catalysis, photocatalysis, and hybrid catalytic approaches for a wide range of applications, with a special focus on energy and the environment.
As a part of this webinar, two young but already experienced researchers, one from France and one from Italy, will present their latest research on this modern and trending topic. We look forward to seeing you at this exciting webinar.
Date: 20 May 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CEST | 4:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 860 9124 4575
More information: https://sciforum.net/event/Nanomaterials-17
Register for free:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
|
Speakers / Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST Asia |
|
Dr. Leonarda F. Liotta |
10:00–10:10 a.m. |
4:00–4:10 p.m. |
|
Dr. Carmen Ciotonea |
10:10–10:40 a.m. |
4:10–4:40 p.m. |
|
Prof. Salvatore Scirè |
10:40–10:50 a.m. |
4:40–4:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Roberto Fiorenza |
10:50–11:20 a.m. |
4:50–5:20 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
11:20–11:50 a.m. |
5:20–5:50 p.m. |
|
Dr. Leonarda F. Liotta and Prof. Salvatore Scirè |
11:50–11:55 a.m. |
5:50–5:55 p.m. |
Webinar Chairs and Keynote Speakers:
- Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN)-CNR, Palermo, Italy
- Salvatore Scirè, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
- Carmen Ciotonea, 1 Unit of Environmental Chemistry and Interactions with Living Organisms” (UCEIV); 2 Engineering School Littoral Opale Coast (EILCO), Dunkerque, France
- Roberto Fiorenza, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
Relevant Special Issue:
“Advances in Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Environmental Catalysis”
Guest Editors: Jian Qi and Hui Liu
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024
Relevant Topic:
“Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications”
Abstract submission deadline: 31 May 2024
Manuscript submission deadline: 31 August 2024
Relevant Section:
10 May 2024
MDPI International Day of Light 2024 Webinar, 16 May 2024
MDPI would like to invite all experts recognized in their fields to attend the MDPI International Day of Light 2024 Webinar, which will be held on 16 May 2024. The aim of this webinar is to encourage researchers to come together, take action, and highlight how the exchange of findings facilitates efforts to raise awareness about the study of light. The study of light has led to promising alternative energy sources, lifesaving medical advances in diagnostics technology and treatments, light-speed internet, and many other discoveries that have revolutionized society and shaped our understanding of the universe.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI International Day of Light 2024 Webinar.
Title: MDPI International Day of Light 2024 Webinar
Date: 16 May 2024
Time: 09:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (CEST) | 03:00 p.m.–05:00 p.m. (CST Asia)
More Information: https://sciforum.net/event/IDL2024
This is a free webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Register for free:
Program:
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CEST |
Time in CST Asia |
|
Introduction |
09:00 a.m.–09:10 a.m. |
03:00 p.m.–03:10 p.m. |
|
Prof. Dr. Alexey Popov Biotissue-Mimicking Phantoms: Enabling Technology in Biophotonics |
09:10 a.m.–09:30 a.m. |
03:10 p.m.–03:30 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
09:30 a.m.–09:35 a.m. |
03:30 p.m.–03:35 p.m. |
|
Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Pavesi |
09:35 a.m.–09:55 a.m. |
03:35 p.m.–03:55 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
09:55 a.m.–10:00 a.m. |
03:55 p.m.–04:00 p.m. |
|
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kautek |
10:00 a.m.–10:20 a.m. |
04:00 p.m.–04:20 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:20 a.m.–10:25 a.m. |
04:20 p.m.–04:25 p.m. |
|
Dr. Antonio García-Martin |
10:25 a.m.–10:45 a.m. |
04:25 p.m.–04:45 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
10:45 a.m.–10:55 a.m. |
04:45 p.m.–04:55 p.m. |
|
Closing of Webinar |
10:55 a.m.–11:00 a.m. |
04:55 p.m.–05:00 p.m. |
Relevant Special Issues:
Nanomaterials
“Light-Matter Interaction in Nano Systems: Fundamentals and Applications”
Guest Editors: Zhengkun Fu, Lianghui Huang and Mengtao Sun
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2024
Sensors
“Automotive Visible Light Communications (AutoVLC)”
Guest Editor: Alin-Mihai Cailean
Deadline: 30 June 2024
“Recent Trends and Advances in Laser Spectroscopy and Sensing”
Guest Editor: Violeta Lazic
Deadline: 20 August 2024
“Feature Papers in Optical Sensors 2024”
Guest Editors: Gabriele Bolognini and Yuliya Semenova
Deadline: 31 December 2024
Applied Sciences
“Application of Advanced Lighting Systems in Buildings and Cities”
Guest Editors: Luis Santos and M. Glória Gomes
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2024
“Optical Sensors: Applications, Performance and Challenges”
Guest Editors: Yubing Wang, Lijun Wang and Junfeng Song
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024
“Smart Lighting and Visual Safety”
Guest Editors: Yandan Lin and Minchen Wei
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2024
“New Trends in Next-Generation Optical Networks”
Guest Editors: Gerardo Antonio Castañón-Avila
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 December 2024
“Interdisciplinary Approaches and Applications of Optics & Photonics (AOP2024)”
Guest Editors: Manuel Filipe P. C. M. Costa and Sandra Franco
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024
“Advances in Optics, Photonics and Lasers”
Guest Editors: Aleksej Rodin and Sergey Y. Yurish
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2024
“Laser Ultrasonics and Advanced Sensing: Technologies and Applications”
Guest Editor: Chenyin Ni
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024
“Ultrafast and Nonlinear Laser Applications”
Guest Editor: Sergej Orlov
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2024
“Diode Lasers: Materials, Devices and Application”
Guest Editors: Jing Yang and Zhenfu Wang
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024
“Nanophotonics and Integrated Photonics”
Guest Editors: Fanfan Lu and Zhiqiang Yang
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2024
Optics
“Ultrafast Light-Matter Interaction”
Guest Editor: Daria Popova-Gorelova
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024
Energies
“Advances in Solar Systems and Energy Efficiency”
Guest Editors: Maciej Zajkowski, Adam Idzkowski, Zbigniew Sołjan, and Stanislav Darula
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 June 2024
Inventions
“Recent Advances in Visible Light Communication and Optical Wireless Information Systems”
Guest Editor: Jupeng Ding
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024
7 May 2024
Interview with Prof. Dr. Jing Li—Winner of the Nanomaterials 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award
Name: Prof. Dr. Jing Li
Affiliation: School of Chemistry, Beihang University, China
Research Interests: surface chemistry and functional assembly of two-dimensional materials
The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Jing Li:
1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?I was born in 1989 and raised in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. I earned my B.S. degree in chemistry from Wuhan University, People's Republic of China, in 2011. Subsequently, I pursued my Ph.D. at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the guidance of Prof. Li-Jun Wan and Prof. Dong Wang, focusing on the chemical synthesis and functionalization of graphene, and graduated in 2016. Following that, I served as a research fellow with Prof. Jiong Lu at the National University of Singapore from 2016 to 2022, where I concentrated on the solution synthesis and surface analysis of two-dimensional materials. In 2022, I joined the School of Chemistry at Beihang University, People’s Republc of Chine, as a professor. My research interests encompass the surface study and chemical functionalization of low-dimensional materials.
2. What are you currently researching, and why did you choose this research field?I am currently concentrating on synthesizing novel two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials and exploring their functional integration into advanced electrocatalytic and mechanical composites. 2D nanomaterials, characterized by their atomic-thick crystalline sheets, possess ultrahigh surface areas and atomic-tailorable crystallinity, affording them many engineerable properties in electronics, photonics, and mechanics. Leveraging these attributes, we aim to facilely fabricate functional composites incorporating a minor amount of 2D nanosheets.
3. Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research and how did you overcome them?I believe that most researchers encounter various challenges in their daily research endeavors, and I can certainly attest to facing difficulties in my own research pursuits. Chemistry research, like any scientific pursuit, frequently presents a spectrum of unforeseen obstacles, spanning from experimental setbacks to conceptual complexities. Overcoming these hurdles demands resilience, creativity, and, at times, collaboration. Typically, I address such challenges by initially engaging in meticulous troubleshooting and thoroughly analyzing experimental protocols. This may entail repeating experiments, verifying reagent purity, or modifying experimental conditions to identify the root cause of the issue.
4. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?I think it could be advanced mechanical and thermal nanocomposites. Two-dimensional (2D) materials and numerous low-dimensional nanomaterials exhibit exceptionally unique thermal and mechanical properties in contrast to their three-dimensional counterparts. The investigation into the mechanical and thermal attributes of 2D materials, encompassing aspects such as strength, flexibility, and thermal conductivity, is pivotal for comprehending their structural integrity and resilience across diverse applications. The pursuit of methodologies aimed at enhancing these properties or customizing materials to achieve specific mechanical and thermal characteristics holds profound significance for practical implementations in flexible electronics, thermal regulation, and nanocomposite materials.
5. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?I believe that open access has many significant impacts on authors, such as heightened accessibility, enriched collaboration opportunities, and amplified citation rates and impact metrics.
6. Which qualities do you think reviewers need?The patience and willingness to accept feedback in a very constructive manner.
7. What do you think are the main criteria that should be taken seriously in the process of reviewing manuscripts?Scientific validity and originality.
8. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone to thank most?I am profoundly honored and humbled to receive this award. I am immensely grateful to my Ph.D. and postdoctoral mentors for their invaluable scientific mentorship and guidance, which have significantly contributed to the shaping of my scientific techniques, critical thinking abilities, and expertise. Their mentorship not only benefited me greatly, but also empowered me to offer more insightful suggestions to others.
7 May 2024
Interview with Dr. Yizhang Wu—Winner of the Nanomaterials 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award
Name: Dr. Yizhang Wu
Affiliation: Department of Applied Physical Sciences, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Research Interests: flexible bioelectronics and biomaterials
The following is an interview with Dr. Yizhang Wu:
1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?My name is Dr. Yizhang Wu and I specialize in the application of flexible bioelectronic devices and biomaterials. My academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in physics from the Nanjing University, China, obtained in 2018, followed by a Doctoral degree from the School of Physics at Nanjing University in 2022. Currently, I hold the position of a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Applied Physics Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I continue to focus on wearable and implantable bioelectronic devices.
My research interests lie at the intersection of materials science, electronics, and biomedical engineering, particularly developing advanced technologies that can seamlessly interface with biological systems. I am motivated by the potential of flexible bioelectronics and biomaterials to revolutionize healthcare through continuous monitoring, personalized treatment, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Overcoming the challenges associated with integrating diverse materials and components into functional bioelectronic devices while maintaining their flexibility and biocompatibility is a key driving force behind my work.
2. What are you currently researching, and why did you choose this research field?
I am researching flexible bioelectronic devices and biomaterials for wearable and implantable biomedical device applications. This research field fascinates me because it lies at the intersection of materials science, electronics, and biomedical engineering, allowing us to develop advanced technologies that can seamlessly interface with biological systems. Flexible bioelectronics has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling continuous monitoring and personalized treatment, while biomaterials offer unique properties for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
3. Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research? How did you overcome them?
Conducting research is often accompanied by challenges and difficulties. One of the major obstacles I've encountered is the complexity of integrating diverse materials and components into functional bioelectronic devices while maintaining their flexibility and biocompatibility. Overcoming this challenge has required extensive optimization of fabrication processes, material selection, and device design. Additionally, working with biological systems introduces variability and complexity that can be difficult to control. To address these challenges, I've relied on interdisciplinary collaborations, leveraging expertise from various fields and employing advanced characterization techniques to gain insights into the structure-property relationships of our materials and devices.
4. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
In the coming years, I believe research topics related to sustainable and green materials, advanced biomedical imaging, and personalized medicine will particularly interest the research community. The development of eco-friendly and biodegradable materials is crucial for addressing environmental concerns and enabling transient biomedical devices. Additionally, advances in biomedical imaging techniques, such as wearable and implantable sensors, will provide unprecedented real-time opportunities for monitoring and understanding biological processes. Finally, personalized medicine, enabled by flexible bioelectronics and biomaterials, has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic, physiological, and environmental factors.
5. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?
Open access publishing significantly impacts authors by increasing the visibility and accessibility of their research. By making publications freely available, open access removes barriers to knowledge dissemination and facilitates the rapid exchange of ideas within the scientific community. This can lead to increased citations, collaborations, and opportunities for further research. However, open access also presents challenges, such as publication fees that authors or their institutions must cover. Overall, open access is a positive development that aligns with scientific transparency and knowledge sharing principles, benefiting both authors and the broader research community.
2 May 2024
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #11 - 2023 Annual Report, MDPI Awards, STM
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
2023 Annual Report
This is an exciting time of year at MDPI, as we have just released our annual report 2023, recapping the past year and sharing the progress and changes that took place during it.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
Reflecting on 2023, I can't help but think of the changes that have occurred not only at MDPI but also within our industry as a whole. In light of this, I’m reminded that change is the only constant, and that for a publishing enterprise that has experienced rapid growth, adapting to change becomes not only a necessity but also a catalyst for sustained success.
Looking back on the significant ground we covered in 2023, I am pleased to report that the year was marked by a rise in paper submissions, along with a range of initiatives aimed at improving our internal processes and delivering top services to our scientists.
2023 Top-line MDPI Numbers
An important priority for 2023 was to strengthen our editorial policies. Despite a notable increase in the number of papers submitted from 603,000 to 655,000 (+8.6%), there was a decrease in the number of papers published from 303,000 to 285,000 (-5.9%), consistent with the overall trend in the scholarly publishing market. MDPI’s market share in gold open access articles published reached 17% in 2023 (according to Dimensions data).
2023 Open Access Numbers
For over two decades, MDPI has been at the forefront of reshaping the academic publishing landscape, with OA surpassing subscription-based publishing in 2020. This trajectory is deeply rooted in our history and reflects our unwavering commitment to, and vision for, an open future. This momentum continued in 2023, with 39% of the 4.16 million articles and reviews published as gold full-OA, 15% as gold hybrid-OA, 8% as bronze-OA, and 3% as green-OA, relative to 35% behind a paywall. In terms of gold OA (full or hybrid) articles and reviews published, MDPI leads the way in terms of total articles published in 2023.
MDPI is the trusted and preferred OA publisher for the scholarly community
However, in 2023, we saw a downward trend in publication numbers compared to 2022. This trend was also seen in total OA publications. While the number of submissions increased, the decline in MDPI publications can be attributed to several factors, such as improved scrutiny in our peer-review process, including the evaluation of content scope and higher rejection rates, and a post-pandemic decrease in research related to COVID-19 papers.
Download 2023 MDPI Annual Report.
Access 2023 Digital Report.
Impactful Research
Recognizing Scholars – MDPI Awards
MDPI is committed to empowering young researchers as they embark on their careers. In 2023, our journals hosted a total of 400 awards, receiving 8,839 applications and nominations. The evaluation committees selected 959 winners, with the total budget for these awards amounting to CHF 546,500.
For more information about MDPI awards, applications, and winners, please click here
The following awards recognize scholars and the impact of their research, including Young Investigator Awards, Best PhD Thesis Awards, and Travel Awards for junior researchers.
MDPI Awards – The following awards require an application or a nomination.
Young Investigator Award (CHF 1000–2000 for each winner)
This award acknowledges the achievements of young investigators in research areas relevant to the journal’s scope. Candidates must have received their PhD no more than 10 years prior to the award announcement date and must be nominated.
Best PhD Thesis Award (CHF 500–800 for each winner)
This award recognizes young scholars who have completed outstanding PhD theses in research areas relevant to the journal’s scope. It aims to encourage them to continue their excellent work and make further contributions to their field.
Travel Award (CHF 500–800 for each winner)
This award encourages junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences relevant to the journal’s scope, thereby increasing their impact.
Distinguished Scholars
Additionally, 220 awards were granted to the most distinguished authors and reviewers in our journals through Best Paper Awards and Outstanding Reviewer Awards. The following awards are selected by the editorial staff of the journal and do not require an application or a nomination. They exemplify the excellent contributions made by our authors, reviewers, and editors.
These awards exemplify the excellent contributions made by our authors, reviewers, and editors
Best Paper Award (CHF 200–500 for each winner)
This award is granted annually to highlight publications of high quality, scientific significance, and extensive influence.
Outstanding Reviewer Award (CHF 500 for partial winners)
This award is given annually to recognize reviewers who generously contribute their time to reviewing papers and demonstrate thoroughness, professionalism, and timeliness in their reviews.
MDPI also offers awards for specific topics in various research fields:
Carbon Neutrality Award (CHF 500–800 for each winner)
Sponsored by MDPI journal Sustainability, this award recognizes applicants who have made exceptional academic or societal contributions to carbon neutrality, either in general or in relation to a specific carbon-neutrality-related issue.
Intelligent Manufacturing Award (CHF 500–800 for each winner)
Administered by MDPI journal Machines, this award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding academic or societal contributions to the field of intelligent manufacturing.
Granted: World Sustainability Awards
Inside MDPI
MDPI Opens Office in Seoul, Korea and Appoints Claude Seo as Office Manager
As CEO of the world’s leading OA publisher, I am pleased to announce the official opening of our Korean branch office. With this addition, MDPI now operates 21 offices in 12 countries worldwide, improving on our position as a truly global publisher. This expansion represents more than just an increase in our physical footprint; it is a pivotal step in our ongoing commitment to making scientific knowledge more accessible across the globe.
MDPI now operates 21 offices in 12 countries worldwide, improving on our position as a truly global publisher
Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)
Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, has been appointed as the Office Manager of the Seoul office. The launch of our Seoul office allows us to better support the Korean scientific community and to further promote the publication of OA journals in the region.
Reflecting on his role, Claude shared that he is:
“Delighted to have been entrusted with this position within MDPI, the no. 1 scholarly OA publisher. As we establish our presence in Korea, we are dedicated to integrating ourselves into the local community and contributing to its vibrant culture. Our commitment goes beyond business growth; it is about creating a more informed and innovative society by embracing and promoting diversity within the scientific community.”
Sungkyunkwan University Joins MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
Additionally, I am pleased to share that Sungkyunkwan University has joined MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). This program offers free access to MDP’s online submission system for institutions and provides APC discounts to affiliated authors. Thirteen major Korean universities, including Sungkyunkwan University, Kyunghee University, Chung-Ang University, and the Catholic University of Korea, have adopted IOAP in Korea.
Learn more about MDPI’s collaboration in Korea in my previous CEO Letter, in which I recap our visit to Seoul, South Korea.
Coming Together for Science
4th MMCS: Harnessing the Power of New Drug Modalities
Our conference team successfully managed the 4th Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium, held from 24–26 April in Barcelona, Spain. It was chaired by Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero from the Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Spain, and Prof. Dr. Simona Collina from the University of Pavia, Italy. In total, there were 84 accepted abstracts and 102 conference attendees from 22 different countries.
From left to right: Prof. Dr. Rino Ragno (Scientific Committee), Dr. Maria Emilia Sousa (Scientific Committee), Prof. Dr. Claudio Viegas Jr. (Scientific Committee), Prof. Dr. Simona Collina (Chair), Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero (Chair), Alvina Wu (Managing Editor, MDPI), Prof. Dr. Roman Dembinski (Scientific Committee), Prof. Dr. Mariana Spetea (Scientific Committee).
The event comprised 12 Invited Speakers, 35 Selected Talks, 10 Flash Poster Presentations, and 39 Posters. The overarching topic of the conference was the impact of the emergence of new drug modalities on drug discovery, with thematic sessions covering topics such as photoactivatable drugs, candidates targeting RNA and epigenetic targets, covalent modifiers, and the development of new anti-cancer agents, among other medicinal chemistry projects.
We are pleased to have received feedback from attendees highlighting the professional approach of the conference chairs and participants, the high quality of the talks, and the overall outstanding organization on the part of the MDPI conference team.
Thank you to the conference sponsors, Fluorochem and IBUB, and to our partnering societies, The Spanish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM), and the Spanish Society of Medicinal Chemistry (SEQT).
Upcoming In-Person Event
28–31 May, 2024
Polymers 2024 – Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future
Location: Athens, Greece
Conference Chairs: Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Bikiaris, Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Triantafyllidis, Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi
We look forward to welcoming experts Prof. Damià Barceló, Prof. Minna Hakkareinen, and Prof. Armando J. D. Silvestre to this event.
Find more upcoming MDPI events here.
Organize Your Event with MDPI’s Sciforum
Sciforum is MDPI’s platform dedicated to the organization of scientific events. In line with our mission to promote science, Sciforum supports scholars, societies, research networks, and universities at all stages of organizing in-person events, virtual events and webinars. Our platforms are efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective. We handle all steps related to event management. Contact us for details.
Closing Thoughts
A Report from the Future – STM US Annual Conference 2024
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Ioana Craciun from MDPI’s Scientific Office Board.
MDPI has for a long time been a sponsor of the STM Annual Conferences, held yearly in the US and Frankfurt, and is a trusted partner and supporter of the STM organization. While I have attended the Frankfurt conference for the past three years, this was my first time visiting the Washington, DC session, and I am glad I did.
Although it was a brief trip, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend in the company of my colleagues Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Ioana Craciun from MDPI’s Scientific Office Board. They always help map some of the new industry trends against MDPI’s operational framework and guidelines. It’s a great group for kicking ideas back and forth on what we can apply at MDPI.
In my experience, STM never fails to deliver. It’s always a great conference for reconnecting with fellow publishers, industry friends, and vendors. As usual, STM this year curated a diverse range of speakers and panels, who proferred valuable knowledge and insights from outside our industry, delivering thought-provoking insights into our field. An example of this was the ‘Trust Panel’ session, which included Alan Schiffres (Managing Director, InfoLinx), who shared a number of the learnings about fraud and risk management from his 40 years in financial services, to help address some of the challenges we are currently facing in the area of publishing integrity.
Launch of STM Trends 2028 Panel
I particularly enjoyed the ‘Launch of STM Trends 2028 Panel’, which presented a report focused on the integration of humans and machines in scholarly publishing. The session highlighted themes such as AI, digitization, and the evolving research ecosystem. The report envisions a future where technology blurs the lines between human and machine involvement in research processes, with significant implications for trust, reputation, and equity. While this presents opportunities for connectivity and knowledge dissemination, it also poses challenges such as disinformation, fragmentation, and geopolitical tensions. We must rely on a wise combination of technology and human agency to navigate this complex landscape and will have to carefully examine its potential impacts on communication and scholarly publishing.
MDPI has joined the STM Integrity Hub. Click here to learn more.
While every presenter brought their own knowledge and personal touch, I was particularly pleased to encounter new speakers such as Heather Whitney (Research Assistant Professor, Radiology, University of Chicago) and Igor Grossmann (Professor of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Canada). Having studied Sociology at the University of Guelph, I have a soft spot for fellow social scientists from Canada, and I was very impressed by Igor’s presentation on ‘The Social Scientist: A View from the Future’ and his participation in the panel session ‘The Future Beyond the Article,’ which was one of my favourites from the conference, given the diversity of perspectives from the panel speakers.
Memorial Park in Washington, DC
On a personal note, this was my first-time visiting Washington, DC, and I’m glad we took an afternoon to visit the Memorial Park, with its incredible monuments to figures ranging from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Abraham Lincoln. The magnitude of the monuments is deeply impressive. I particularly appreciated the Thomas Jefferson memorial and the following quote, which I think speaks to the importance of change and adaptation. It’s something we can apply not only in our industry but also in our personal lives.
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as a civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
– Excerpted from a letter to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1816.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 April 2024
MDPI Opens Office in Seoul, Korea and Appoints Claude Seo as Office Manager
MDPI, the leading Open Access (OA) publisher, announced on Monday that it opened its Korean branch office on 29th April 2024. With this addition, MDPI now operates 21 offices in 12 countries worldwide. Claude Seo, with over 20 years of experience in the academic journal publishing industry, including Nature Publishing Group (NPG), has been appointed as the Office Manager of the Seoul office.
With the establishment of a Seoul office, MDPI aims to actively support Korea scientific communities to further promote the publication of OA journals in the region. As of the end of 2023, Korea ranked sixth worldwide in both submissions and publications of MDPI research papers. MDPI is the number one OA publisher in Korea.
Sungkyunkwan University Joins MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program
In addition, MDPI announced that Sungkyunkwan University joined MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). This program offers free access to MDPI online submission system for the institutions and APC discounts to affiliated authors. Thirteen major Korean universities, including Sungkyunkwan University, Kyung Hee University, Chung-Ang University and Catholic University of Korea, have adopted IOAP in Korea.
OA aims to break down barriers that have traditionally restricted access to science, ensuring that knowledge is available to all, regardless of financial situation or institutional affiliations. Authors, academia, and scientific communities are rapidly moving toward OA. MDPI has been at the forefront of reshaping the academic publishing landscape, with OA surpassing subscription-based publishing in 2020.
MDPI CEO Visits Seoul, Korea
In March, Stefan Tochev, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MDPI, visited Korea and met with various stakeholders including government agencies, research and academic institutions, universities. During his visit, Stefan highlighted that MDPI continues to pave the way for a world where science is accessible to all, supporting a global community of inclusive innovation and collaborative solutions.
Stefan expressed excitement about the new venture, stating, "Today marks a significant milestone for MDPI as we celebrate the opening of our new office in Seoul, Korea. This expansion is more than just an increase in our physical footprint, it is a pivotal step in our ongoing commitment to making scientific knowledge more accessible, participatory, and inclusive across the globe."
Claude Seo, reflecting on his new role, commented, "I am delighted to have been offered this position of trust within MDPI, the no. 1 scholarly OA publisher. As we establish our presence in Korea, we are dedicated to integrating into the local community and contributing to its vibrant culture. Our commitment goes beyond business growth; it is about creating a more informed and innovative society by embracing and promoting diversity within the scientific community.”
For further inquiries, please contact our Seoul office directly.
About MDPI
A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.3 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of 6000 diligent, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 430 fully OA titles.
15 April 2024
Prof. Junying Zhang Appointed Associate Editor-in-Chief of Nanomaterials
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Junying Zhang has been appointed Associate Editor-in-Chief of Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991).
Name: Prof. Junying Zhang
Affiliation: School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Interests: first-principle calculations; materials for energy conversion and storage; low-dimensional materials
Website: https://shi.buaa.edu.cn/zhangjunying/en/index.htm
Prof. Junying Zhang is a full professor at the School of Physics, Beihang University, China. She is dedicated to understanding the energy transfer and charge transfer in functional materials, and to developing high-performance energy conversion and storage materials via the “structure–performance relationship” strategy. She has co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed journal publications, contributed to one edited book, and holds more than 20 awarded invention patents in China. Prof. Zhang was awarded the Second Prize of the Natural Science Award by the Ministry of Education of China. She was elected as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and has received the IAAM Scientist Medal.
The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Junying Zhang, who shared her vision for the journal with us, as well as her views of the research area:
1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take on the role as its Associate Editor-in-Chief?
The journal Nanomaterials is an international open access journal with a good reputation and widespread recognition. Nanomaterials exhibit many unique properties, with significant differences in optical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and chemical properties to bulk materials. Nanomaterials have seen rapid development in both fundamental theoretical research and application research. Serving as the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Nanomaterials journal allows me to collaborate with scientists in the nanomaterials field worldwide, contributing to the advancement of nanomaterials research.
2. What is your vision for the journal?
I hope that the journal Nanomaterials can attract more excellent submissions, promote academic exchange and collaboration among scholars in the field of nanotechnology, and become a trusted platform to drive fundamental innovation and application development in nanomaterials.
3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
With the continuous progress and innovation of technology, the performance of nanomaterials is constantly improving, and the preparation techniques are more environmentally friendly. Nanomaterials will continue to shine in the fields of manufacturing industry, medicine, energy, environment, information, etc., and will demonstrate broad application prospects in other fields, making greater contributions to the progress and development of human society.
4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open-source journals have great potential to promote academic sharing and improve the visibility and impact of scientific research. However, in order to achieve sustainable development and overcome possible challenges, open-source journals need to explore multiple models and find a better balance, promoting their healthy development in the academic world.
We warmly welcome Prof. Junying Zhang as the Associate Editor-in-Chief of Nanomaterials, and we wish her every success in her new position.
10 April 2024
Meet Us at the 2024 Spring Meeting of the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS), 27–31 May 2024, Strasbourg, France
