Announcements

MDPI is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Best Paper Awards, celebrating exceptional research for its scientific merit and broad impact. After a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Academic Editors, this year’s awards showcase papers that stand out for their innovation, relevance, and high-quality presentation.

Out of a highly competitive pool, 396 winning papers have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. We congratulate these authors for pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.

At MDPI, we are dedicated to broadening the reach of innovative science. To learn more about the award-winning papers and explore research projects in your field of study, please visit the following links:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Business and Economics;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Computer Sciences and Mathematics;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities;
• Physical Sciences;
• Public Health and Healthcare.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the global research community and enhance academic dialogue, MDPI journals regularly host award programs across diverse scientific disciplines. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and whose work drives the advancement of their fields.

Explore the Best Paper Awards open for participation, please click here.

Conference: 5th MMCS: New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
Date: 14–17 May 2026, Beijing Time
Conference website: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026

This conference is organized by the MDPI journal Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049, IF: 4.6, and CiteScore: 8.6) and will take place in Beijing, China, from 14 to 17 May 2026 (Beijing time).

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Xiaoguang Lei, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, China;
• Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Spain.

Topics of interest:
S1. Chemical biology for drug discovery;
S2. AI for drug discovery;
S3. New proximity-based drug modalities;
S4. Natural products in drug discovery;
S5. Biocatalysis for natural product and drug synthesis;
S6. Drug discovery targeting GPCRs and ion channels;
S7. DNA-encoded libraries in drug discovery;
S8. Medicinal chemistry tales.

Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 13 March 2026;
Abstract acceptance notification: 27 March 2026;
Early bird registration deadline: 3 April 2026;
Covering author registration deadline: 3 April 2026;
Registration deadline: 14 May 2026.

Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1319.

To register for the event, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact mmcs2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 5th MMCS: New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

Conference: The 9th China–Europe Symposium on Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine
Organization: Chinese Society for Biomaterials
Date: 10–13 May 2026
Location: Beijing, China

The China–Europe Symposium on Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine (CESB) is a premier international conference jointly organized by the Chinese Society for Biomaterials (CSBM) and the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB). Initiated in 2006 by Prof. Xingdong Zhang (then President of the Chinese Committee for Biomaterials, the predecessor to the CSBM) and Prof. Luigi Ambrosio (then President of the ESB), CESB has been held biennially, alternating between China and Europe, to foster cross-continental collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of biomaterials and regenerative medicine.

CESB brings together leading researchers, clinicians, and industry experts from China and Europe to discuss cutting-edge advancements, innovative technologies, and clinical applications in biomaterials. The symposium covers a wide range of topics, including tissue engineering, nanotechnology, immunomodulation, advanced biomaterials, and translational medicine.

As a key platform for sustained Sino-European scientific collaboration, CESB continues to drive global progress in biomaterials research and its clinical implementation, contributing to the future of regenerative medicine worldwide.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Bioengineering;
• JFB;
• IJMS;
• Macromol;
• Fibers;
• Pharmaceutics.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Marwa H.S. Dawoud, from MSA University, Egypt, who received the Best Poster Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Marwa Hamdy Dawoud, and I am an Associate Professor of pharmaceutics at the Faculty of Pharmacy, MSA University, Egypt. My academic role integrates teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery systems, and translational pharmaceutics.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My current research focuses on the design, optimization, and evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly nano-based and lipid–polymer hybrid platforms, with the aim of improving the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic performance of poorly soluble and repurposed drugs.
In parallel, my work increasingly integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches to support rational formulation development. These tools are employed to model complex formulation–process–performance relationships, predict critical quality attributes, and optimize formulation variables with reduced experimental burden. By combining experimental pharmaceutics with data-driven modeling and in silico prediction, this research enhances formulation efficiency and supports a Quality by Design-oriented framework.
Currently, several studies are underway that combine AI-assisted formulation optimization with in vitro characterization and in vivo pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic evaluation, with outcomes under peer review or in advanced experimental phases. This integrative strategy aims to bridge laboratory-scale formulation development with predictive and translational pharmaceutical research.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Academic conferences provide a unique platform for knowledge exchange, scientific visibility, and professional networking. They allow researchers to present ongoing work, receive constructive feedback, and stay informed about emerging trends and methodologies. Equally important, conferences foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inspire new research directions, particularly when engaging with diverse international perspectives.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I am deeply honored to receive this award. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the conference organizers and the scientific committee for this recognition. I am also thankful to my peer colleagues, mentors, and students, whose collaboration and support have been integral to my academic journey. This award is both an encouragement and a responsibility to continue contributing meaningfully to research and education in pharmaceutics.

5. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
This E-conference represents an excellent model of accessible and inclusive scientific engagement. The virtual format enables broader participation across geographical boundaries while maintaining high scientific standards. I believe such platforms play an increasingly important role in advancing research dissemination, fostering collaboration, and supporting early-career researchers. I look forward to seeing this conference grow as a dynamic hub for innovation and academic dialogue.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Jéssica Lopes Nunes, from Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal, who received the Best Communication Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Jéssica Lopes Nunes, and I obtained my PhD in biomedicine from the University of Beira Interior (UBI) in 2025. My doctoral research was conducted at UBI in collaboration with the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-UTAD), Portugal, under the project entitled “Nucleic acid-based nanosystem for Human Papillomavirus related lesions”. I am currently serving as an Invited Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Beira Interior, in Covilhã, Portugal.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My scientific interests are mainly within the field of biomedicine. I began my research career in neuroscience, focusing on the role of transcriptional corepressors in Parkinson’s disease. Now, my research focus has shifted toward cancer nanomedicine. Currently, my work is centered on the development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and therapeutic innovation, with a particular emphasis on targeted strategies for cancer treatment.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Participating in academic conferences is always a valuable and enriching experience. These events provide an excellent platform to stay up to date with the latest advances in our field, broaden scientific knowledge, and gain new perspectives that may inspire future research directions. Additionally, conferences foster networking opportunities, enabling interactions with other researchers and the establishment of potential scientific collaborations.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this recognition. Receiving this award is deeply motivating, as it reinforces the value of our work and acknowledges the dedication invested in scientific research. It also serves as an encouragement to continue pursuing research that aims to generate both scientific advancement and meaningful social impact.

5. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
This E-conference represents an important contribution to the global dissemination of scientific research. Its online and open-access format enables the participation of researchers from all over the world and encourages the submission of high-quality work in the fields of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutics. Furthermore, the presence of several distinguished invited speakers significantly enriched the program. Overall, it was an excellent opportunity to share our research with a broad scientific audience and to attend highly impactful and insightful lectures.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Fiora Artusio, from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, who received the Best Invited Lecture Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Fiora Artusio, and I am currently an Assistant Professor at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. I obtained my BSc, MSc, and PhD in chemical engineering at the same university before moving to EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) for a postdoctoral position. Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to work as a visiting researcher at MIT (Boston, USA), Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos (CSIC, Granada, Spain), and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (Ispra, Italy). These experiences have deeply shaped my approach to both science and teamwork.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My research focuses on downstream pharmaceutical processes, with particular emphasis on crystallization and freeze-drying. By integrating experimental investigations with mathematical modelling, my work aims to develop mechanistic understanding of key phenomena such as freezing and protein crystallization. This knowledge-based approach supports the optimization of existing processes, including the freeze-drying of biopharmaceuticals, while enabling the design of new strategies and technologies for improved control of crystallization processes. Within a Quality by Design (QbD) framework, my research seeks to move pharmaceutical manufacturing from empirically driven development toward knowledge-based and scalable process design. Recent progress includes the development of chemically modified silica gels to enable controlled protein crystallization under otherwise inaccessible conditions, the elucidation of the role of thermal interactions among vials during freezing of pharmaceutical unit doses, and ongoing work on novel non-invasive Process Analytical Technologies (PATs) to support real-time monitoring and control of freeze-drying processes.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
From my perspective, academic conferences are an excellent opportunity to meet experts in the field, exchange ideas with peers, establish new collaborations, and also build professional relationships and friendships. They provide a stimulating environment to discuss ongoing research and to gain exposure to diverse perspectives and emerging trends within a specific field. Conferences also offer a valuable chance to receive informal and constructive feedback on preliminary results that are not yet published, which can help refine research directions and improve the quality of future work. In addition, attending conferences supports professional development by improving communication skills and increasing the visibility of one’s research.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my PhD advisor, Prof. Roberto Pisano, for always supporting my research activity and Dr. José Gavira for encouraging me to explore even the most unconventional ideas. I would also like to warmly thank all the MSc and PhD students who contributed to the work I presented. Without their passion, dedication, and teamwork, I would not be here today (and certainly not with all those triplicates!). Finally, I would like to thank the conference organizers and the award selection committee for this recognition and for their dedication to organizing such a high-quality scientific event.

5. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
I appreciated the electronic format of this conference, as it offers a flexible way to access presentations on demand over an extended period. This format allows participants to engage with the content at their own pace, revisit presentations when needed, and better balance conference participation with other professional/academic responsibilities. In addition, the virtual setting promotes greater inclusivity by removing the need for travel and associated costs, making scientific presentations accessible to a wider audience. One suggestion for future improvement would be to increase opportunities for real-time interaction, such as live panel discussions on selected topics, to enhance engagement and promote more dynamic exchanges between presenters and participants.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Dina Aprem Kako, from the University of Duhok, Iraq, who received the Best Slideshow Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
I am Dina Aprem Kako, a pharmacist and Lecturer of pharmaceutics at the University of Duhok, Iraq. I hold a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, and my academic work focuses on drug delivery systems and formulation development. I am passionate about research, teaching, and contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My current research focuses on advanced drug delivery systems, particularly vesicular carriers for transdermal drug delivery and bioavailability improvement.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Academic conferences provide an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration. They allow researchers to present their work, receive valuable feedback, stay updated with recent scientific advances, and build professional connections with experts from different disciplines and countries.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I am deeply grateful for this award and am sincerely honored to receive it. I would like to thank the conference organizers and reviewers for their recognition and support.

5. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
This E-conference represents a valuable and inclusive scientific platform that enables researchers worldwide to share knowledge without geographical barriers. I believe it promotes innovation, collaboration, and accessibility in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry research. I look forward to participating in future editions and contributing further to this inspiring academic community.

As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI maintains rigorous publication standards. This mission relies on the dedication and expertise of our reviewers, who invest their time and knowledge to ensure the quality and integrity of the research we publish.

In 2025, over 209,000 reviewers contributed to the peer-review process at MDPI, providing more than 1.3 million review reports for our journals. To express our gratitude, MDPI’s Reviewer Recognition Program highlights reviewers across over 400 journals, featuring those who have assessed at least one manuscript and agreed to be acknowledged.

In addition, MDPI has identified its Top 1000 Reviewers of 2024 to recognize those whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful evaluations were particularly outstanding.

Many journals have also established Outstanding Reviewer Awards to honor our reviewers’ commitment to publication excellence. Together with the Exceptional Reviewer List, we showcase the importance of reviewers’ work and their time and dedication.

These initiatives serve to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude towards the whole reviewer community. In recognition of their contributions, we also welcome new researchers to join this community. If you would like to contribute to open access publishing, learn more about the reviewers’ benefits and sign up to join us.