Announcements

We announce Dr. Cláudia Martins and Dr. Luca Casula as the winners of the Pharmaceutics 2025 Travel Award. The Pharmaceutics Travel Award was launched in 2017 and is presented each year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of science and technology of pharmaceutics, helping to enhance their influence. As the winners of this award, they will receive CHF 800 each and a certificate. All winners were chosen by the journal’s award committee (Dr. Patrick Sinko, Chairman; Dr. Murali Yallapu; Prof. Donato Cosco; Prof. Dr. Montse Mitjans Arnal; Prof. Roderick Bryan Walker; Prof. Dr. Anna Carbone).

We were honored to interview Dr. Cláudia Martins and Dr. Luca Casula. The interview is summarized below:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your field of research?

Dr. Cláudia Martins: I am Cláudia Martins, a Junior Postdoctoral Researcher at i3S—the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto (Portugal). I hold a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Porto, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham (UK) and the University of Louvain (Belgium). My research focuses on biomaterials, targeted cancer nanomedicine, brain drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Over the years, I have worked across academia and industry, secured competitive funding, and contributed extensively to science outreach.

Dr. Luca Casula: I am Dr. Luca Casula, a postdoctoral researcher in the Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery group at the University of Cagliari, Italy. My research focuses on pharmaceutics and drug delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative drug formulations and optimizing delivery strategies to improve therapeutic effectiveness and patient outcomes. In particular, I explore the applications of nanomedicine to the following topics:

• Address challenges associated with poorly water-soluble drug formulations;
• Develop biodegradable wound dressings through electrospinning;
• Optimize aerosolisable nano- and micro-drug delivery systems.

2. In your previous collaborations with MDPI, what impressed you most?

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  What impressed me the most was the straightforward and simple application process, the transparency in receiving updates on the application status, and the responsiveness and supportiveness of the journal’s staff.

Dr. Luca Casula: Having engaged with MDPI in past research endeavors, I have been particularly impressed by the journal’s rapid and transparent peer-review process, as well as its commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research. The accessibility of MDPI’s open access platform ensures that valuable scientific findings reach a global audience, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  Brain drug delivery will remain a major research focus, particularly innovative strategies to overcome the blood-brain barrier. Advancing out-of-the-box approaches to efficiently transport therapeutic agents to the brain is crucial for treating neurological disorders.

Dr. Luca Casula: In the coming years, I believe the research community will focus heavily on the following topics:

• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery, particularly in oncology, gene therapy, and targeted drug delivery;
• Biodegradable and smart polymers for sustained and controlled drug release;
• AI-driven drug formulation and predictive modeling to optimize drug design and reduce development time;
• mRNA therapeutics and novel vaccine platforms beyond COVID-19, applied to various infectious diseases and cancers.

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

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  Special acknowledgment goes to my all-time scientific mentor, Prof. Bruno Sarmento (i3S, University of Porto, Portugal). From the very first days of my research journey, he has provided me with invaluable guidance, encouragement, and countless opportunities that have allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. His mentorship has been fundamental in helping me to establish my career goals and navigate the challenges of the scientific world.

Dr. Luca Casula:  I am incredibly honored to receive the Pharmaceutics 2025 Travel Award, and I sincerely thank the MDPI committee for this recognition. This award represents not just a personal milestone but also a testament to the hard work and collaboration that drives impactful research. I would like to express my gratitude to my mentors, colleagues, and research collaborators who have supported my journey, as well as my institution for fostering an environment of scientific curiosity and innovation. Lastly, I thank MDPI and Pharmaceutics for their dedication to advancing pharmaceutical sciences through open access research dissemination. I look forward to continuing to make contributions to this dynamic and evolving field.