Announcements

Pharmaceutics (ISSN: 1999-4923) is proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Pharmaceutics Outstanding Reviewer Award: Dr. Van-An Duong. We would like to express our profound gratitude to Dr. Van-An Duong for his invaluable contributions to the peer-review process in Pharmaceutics.

Name: Van-An Duong
Affiliation: The Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA

The following is a short interview with Dr. Van-An Duong:

1. Congratulations on receiving the Pharmaceutics Outstanding Reviewer Award! To begin, could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your primary research interests within pharmaceutics?
   Hi. My name is Van-An Duong. I am currently working at The Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. My research focuses on drug development and analytical characterization, particularly using advanced analytical techniques such as LC-MS/MS. Within pharmaceutics, I am especially interested in formulation strategies and drug delivery systems to improve drug stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy.
2. In your view, what are the essential qualities of a constructive and high-quality peer review? How do you approach crafting a review that is both rigorous and helpful?
   A high-quality peer review should be objective, constructive, and actionable. It should not only evaluate the scientific rigor of a manuscript but also help authors improve the clarity and impact of their work. When reviewing a manuscript, I aim to assess the scientific soundness of the study, provide specific and constructive feedback rather than general criticism, and distinguish between major concerns (e.g., methodology, interpretation) and minor issues (e.g., clarity, presentation). I believe a good review should guide authors toward improvement while maintaining a respectful and professional tone.
3. Once you agree to a review, how do you structure your evaluation? What key elements do you focus on when assessing a manuscript's quality, rigor, and contribution to the field?
   When reviewing a manuscript, I typically follow a structured approach to ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation. I begin by assessing the novelty and overall significance of the study, considering whether it addresses a meaningful research question and contributes new insights or practical value to the field. I then examine the methodological rigor, including whether the experimental design, formulation strategies, and analytical methods are appropriate and sufficiently described. Next, I evaluate the quality and interpretation of the data to determine whether the results are robust and reproducible and whether the conclusions are justified by the data. I also assess the quality and clarity of the tables and figures, ensuring they effectively present the data. Finally, I review the organization and readability of the manuscript to confirm that the content is clearly structured and communicated.
4. How has serving as a reviewer influenced your own approach to writing manuscripts and preparing submissions? Have you learned lessons from reviewing that you have applied to your own work?
   Serving as a reviewer has significantly influenced my own approach to manuscript preparation. Through reviewing, I have become more attentive to the clarity and transparency of methodological descriptions, ensuring that experiments are described in sufficient detail for reproducibility. It has also improved my ability to structure manuscripts with a clear logical flow, particularly in aligning results with conclusions and avoiding overinterpretation of data. Additionally, reviewing has helped me anticipate common concerns raised during peer review, allowing me to critically evaluate my own work before submission and strengthen it accordingly.
5. What do you see as the most significant challenges facing peer review today, and how might the community address them?
   One of the most significant challenges in peer review today is the increasing volume of submissions, which places a substantial burden on reviewers and can affect both the quality and timeliness of the review process. To address this issue, it is important to expand and better prepare the reviewer pool. Providing short courses on conducting high-quality peer reviews could equip early-career researchers with the necessary skills and confidence. In addition, encouraging PhD students to participate in the review process under their supervisors' guidance would not only distribute the workload more effectively but also provide valuable training. Recognizing these contributions, for example, through co-reviewer acknowledgment, could further motivate broader participation and support the sustainability of the peer review system.
6. Finally, what message would you like to share with the Pharmaceutics community—particularly with authors who submit their work to the journal and the editorial team who manage the review process?
   I would like to thank the Pharmaceutics editorial team for their efforts in maintaining an efficient and constructive peer review process. To authors, I encourage clear and transparent reporting of experimental design and methods, as well as careful alignment between results and conclusions, both of which are essential to ensuring reproducibility and scientific rigor. I believe that peer review is an important collaboration between authors, reviewers, and editors to maintain the quality and integrity of published research.

World Malaria Day, observed annually on 25 April, celebrates the importance of raising awareness of malaria and the preventive efforts to control the disease, with the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria worldwide.  With the development of new vaccines, treatments, malaria control tools, and pioneering technologies, ending malaria within our lifetime has become a real possibility.

In recognition of World Malaria Day, MDPI reaffirms its commitment to advancing cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Through open access publishing, we support the dissemination of discoveries in Public Health & Healthcare, Medicine & Pharmacology, Biology, Life Sciences, and related fields —ensuring knowledge is accessible and empowering researchers to contribute to the next generation of scientific and technological breakthroughs.

MDPI established the Tu Youyou Award in 2016 to honor Professor Tu Youyou’s remarkable contributions to human health and acknowledge exceptional scholars committed to the research fields of natural product and medicinal chemistry.

Prize:

• CHF 100,000 (to be divided equally should multiple recipients be awarded);
• An award medal and a certificate.

Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026.

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.

Prof. Eleni Patsoula, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece	Prof. Oleksii Skorokhod, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Italy	Prof. Dr. Toshio Hattori, Roken Akanpe Nursing Home, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
Dr. Kostas Eleftheratos, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC), South Africa	Dr. Michael Eisenhut, Cochrane Collaboration, UK

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Diagnostic Accuracy of Utilizing Artificial Intelligence for Malaria Diagnostic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
by Icha Farihah Deniyati Faratisha, Khadijah Cahya Yunita,  Hanifa Rizky Rahmawati, Loeki Enggar Fitri, Nuning Winaris and Lailil Muflikah
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2026, 18(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18010011

“Enduring Warning: A Holistic Comparison of the Establishment and Spread of P. falciparum Evolutionary Lineage Malaria in Ancient Rome and the Threat of Zoonotic P. knowlesi Malaria in Modern Southeast Asia”
by Mark Orsag, Giovanni Meledandri, Amanda McKinney and Melissa Clouse
Zoonotic Dis. 2025, 5(4), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/zoonoticdis5040034

“Evolutionary Trajectory of Plasmodium falciparum: From Autonomous Phototroph to Dedicated Parasite”
by Damian Pikor, Mikołaj Hurla, Alicja Drelichowska and Małgorzata Paul
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092287

“Correlation of Inflammatory Biomarkers and IgG4 Antibodies with Malaria in Cameroon’s Buea Municipality Children”
by Jerome Nyhalah Dinga, Flora Ayah, Emmanuel Fondungallah Anu, Haowen Qin, Stanley Dobgima Gamua, Anthony Kukwah Tufon, Magloire Essissima Amougou and  Rameshbabu Manyam
Diseases 2025, 13(4), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13040123

“Alterations in von Willebrand Factor Levels in Patients with Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disease Severity”
by Suriyan Sukati, Rujikorn Rattanatham, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Ching-Ping Tseng and Manas Kotepui
Medicina 2025, 61(4), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61040767

“Genetic Diversity of Potential Drug Resistance Markers in Plasmodium vivax Isolates from Panama, Mesoamerica”
by Vanessa Vásquez, Ana María Santamaría, Dianik Moreno, Fergie Ruíz, Chystrie A. Rigg, Luis F. Chaves and José E. Calzada
Pathogens 2025, 14(3), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14030231

“Duplication of a Type-P5B-ATPase in Laverania and Avian Malaria Parasites and Implications About the Evolution of Plasmodium”
by Mark F. Wiser
Parasitologia 2025, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia5010006

“Identification of Malaria-Selective Proteasome β5 Inhibitors Through Pharmacophore Modeling, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation”
by Muhammad Yasir, Jinyoung Park, Eun-Taek Han, Jin-Hee Han, Won Sun Park and Wanjoo Chun
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 11881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211881

“Antimalarial Mechanisms and Resistance Status of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives”   
by Dan Zheng,  Tingting Liu, Shasha Yu, Zhilong Liu, Jing Wang and Ying Wang
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(9), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9090223

“Sensitivity Assessment of a Multiplex and Real-Time PCR Protocols for the Detection of Malaria in External Quality Control Samples in the Malaria Reference Center in Greece”
by Nikolaos Tegos, Christos Goumenopoulos, Anastasia Mpimpa, Vasilios Papavasilopoulos, Stavroula Beleri and Eleni Patsoula
Parasitologia 2024, 4(2), 150-161; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia4020013

“Targeting Plasmodium Life Cycle with Novel Parasite Ligands as Vaccine Antigens”
by Shan Khan, Manas Paresh Patel, Aleem Damji Patni and Sung-Jae Cha
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050484

“Advances in Microparasite Research”  Guest Editors: Dr. Sofia Nolasco and Dr. Inês L. S. Delgado   Submission deadline: 31 July 2026	“Malaria in a Changing World” Guest Editors: Dr. Harry Tagbor and Dr. Luiz Shozo Ozaki Submission deadline: 20 August 2026
“Genetic and Molecular Research on the Malaria Parasite” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Hajime Hisaeda and Dr. Takashi Imai Submission deadline: 20 September 2026	“Advances in Tools for Battling Malaria” Guest Editors: Dr. Wenn-Chyau Lee and Dr. Meng Yee Lai Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

A welcome message from the webinar Chair:

It is a pleasure to announce this webinar, organized within the full scope of the Pharmaceutics Special Issue “Advances in Bioactive Compounds and Nanotechnology: Sustainable Approaches for Pharmaceutical Applications.” This event is designed to reflect the breadth and interdisciplinarity of the Special Issue, covering the entire innovation chain from sustainable sourcing to pharmaceutical implementation.

The seminar embraces topics ranging from the extraction and valorization of bioactive compounds from renewable resources and industrial byproducts to green chemistry approaches for drug synthesis and biotechnological production of pharmaceutical ingredients. It also addresses advances in nanotechnology for drug delivery, including sustainable nanocarriers to enhance bioavailability, phytochemical-based therapies enabled by nanotechnology, and green nanotechnology principles applied to pharmaceutical systems.

Together, these contributions highlight how sustainability and technological innovation can jointly shape the future of pharmaceutical development.

Date: 4 May 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. CEST | 8:00 a.m. EDT | 8:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 867 5444 3383
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Pharmaceutics-6?subscribe

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email outlining how to join this 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.

Webinar Chair and Speakers:

• Dr. Catarina Roma-Rodrigues, Bioengineering and Sustainability Research Group, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Lusófona, Portugal;
• Dr. Patricia Branco, ¹ BIORG—Bioengineering and Sustainability Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, Lusofona University, Portugal; ² Linking Landscape Environment Agriculture and Food Research Center (LEAF), Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal;
• Dr. Lorenzo Rivas García, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Spain;
• Dr. Elena M. Sánchez-Fernández, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Seville, Spain.

Relevant Special Issue:

“Advances in Bioactive Compounds and Nanotechnology: Sustainable Approaches for Pharmaceutical Applications”
Guest Editors: Dr. Catarina Roma-Rodrigues, Dr. Patricia Branco and Dr. Elisabete Muchagato Mauricio
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026

MDPI is excited to announce a special webinar in celebration of World Malaria Day on 24 April 2026. This event will promote public understanding of malaria diagnosis and prevention, as well as highlight the development of pioneering technologies that have made malaria elimination possible.

Date: 24 April at 10:00 a.m. CEST | 4:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 847 7074 5022
Webpage: https://sciforum.net/event/MWMDW

Register now for free:

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic and institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Eleni Patsoula, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece;
• Prof. Oleksii Skorokhod, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy;
• Prof. Dr. Toshio Hattori, Roken Akanpe Nursing Home, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan;
• Dr. Ashley Burke, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC), South Africa;
• Dr. Michael Eisenhut, Cochrane Collaboration, UK.

Relevant Special Issues:
“Advances in Microparasite Research”
Guest Editors: Dr. Sofia Nolasco and Dr. Inês L. S. Delgado
Submission deadline: 31 July 2026

“Malaria in a Changing World”
Guest Editors: Dr. Harry Tagbor and Dr. Luiz Shozo Ozaki
Submission deadline: 20 August 2026

“Genetic and Molecular Research on the Malaria Parasite "
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Hajime Hisaeda and Dr. Takashi Imai
Submission deadline: 20 September 2026

“Advances in Tools for Battling Malaria”
Guest Editors: Dr. Wenn-Chyau Lee and Dr. Meng Yee Lai
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

“Recent Advances in Malaria Vaccine Development—2nd Edition”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ahmad Rushdi Shakri and Dr. Dipak Raj
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

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.