Announcements

Six new journals covering a range of subjects launched their inaugural issues in June 2025. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access. We are pleased to present the latest research and to make it accessible to all.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the Editorial Board Members for their commitment and expertise. 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.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Chang-Pu Sun, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing, China; Computational Science Research Center, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	quantum information and phenomena; condensed matter physics and statistical physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; computational physics and mathematical methods View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Hualiang Lin, Sun Yat-sen University, China; Prof. Dr. Jose L. Domingo, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain Editorial | View inaugural issue	green and organic food; green infrastructures; green exercise; environmental impact of the healthcare sector; effects of climate change on human health | View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Francesco Veglio, University of L’Aquila, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	ultra-pure substances; water purification; air purification; gas purification; inorganic chemical purification; purification technologies View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Junxing Zheng, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	computer-aided design and engineering; artificial intelligence and machine learning; building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins; robotics and automation in construction; smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT); intelligent control systems and facilities management View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Assunta Di Vaio, University of Naples Parthenope, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	sustainability, managerial, and biodiversity accounting; carbon management accounting; corporate social responsibility; artificial intelligence and disclosure View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Changjun Liu, Sichuan University, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	bioeffects of electromagnetic waves; electromagnetic science and engineering; microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz technologies; metamaterials and metasurfaces; communication, sensing, and networks; energy, power, and sustainable applications; quantum and emerging technologies; artificial intelligence and advanced fabrication View journal scope | Submit an article

MDPI will be attending the 2025 International System Dynamics Conference in Boston, USA, which will take place from 3 to 7 August 2025. The International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC) unites global minds with a shared passion for System Dynamics and systems thinking. Now celebrating its 43rd year, the ISDC stands as a beacon for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, attracting a diverse audience from business, academia, philanthropy, and more.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Systems;
• Administrative Sciences;
• Applied Sciences;
• Dynamics;
• Electronics;
• Knowledge;
• Modelling;
• Processes;
• Forecasting.

If you are attending the conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://systemdynamics.org/conference.

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. This year, under the theme “Together We Engineer”, we were sincerely honored to interview Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez Garduño, Guest Editor of Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717).

The following is a short interview with Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez Garduño:

1. Could you share the story of your journey into engineering?

My journey into engineering is defined by an interdisciplinary vision and a drive to break boundaries. I began as an architect, captivated by the potential of technology to transform our built environment and address urgent sustainability challenges. As my interest in digital tools and energy management grew, I realized that engineering offered both the analytical foundation and creative possibilities needed to make a broader impact.

Motivated by this realization, I pursued a Ph.D. in engineering sciences and, just this year, completed a bachelor’s in electronics design engineering, marking the formal integration of engineering into my academic and professional identity. Throughout my career, I have actively sought to bridge architecture, engineering, and design, collaborating on multidisciplinary courses and projects, and filing patents that span architecture, engineering, digital twins, and artificial intelligence.

I am also a proud recipient of the 2025–2026 COMEXUS Fulbright-García Robles scholarship and look forward to beginning a postdoctoral research stay at UC Berkeley in August 2025. I hope my path encourages others to embrace interdisciplinary journeys and to create their unique impact in engineering and society.

2. What do you enjoy most about your work as an engineer? What made you feel recognized and welcomed in your workplace?

I find deep satisfaction in working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and social responsibility. Engineering empowers me to address real-world challenges, from energy efficiency to educational innovation, and to witness the tangible positive effects on people’s lives. Recognition has come through collaborative successes, such as publishing impactful research, receiving the 2024 Woman Tec Award under the environment category, or seeing my students thrive with the methods and tools I help create. I feel especially welcomed in workplaces that value diverse backgrounds and interdisciplinary ideas, and where teamwork and open collaboration are encouraged. These environments allow me to contribute authentically and grow alongside others who are equally committed to making a difference.

3. What key experiences or inspirations led you to dedicate your career to engineering research, and how do you sustain that passion in your work?

I did not discover the world of formal research until I began my doctoral studies; before that, my professional focus as an architect was on design projects, construction management, and real estate. However, I have always been driven by curiosity and a love for learning, constantly seeking to connect new knowledge across disciplines. For example, I experimented early on with visual programming and dynamic façades and later explored how Arduino and visual coding could be applied within architectural projects.

A turning point came through a specialization in digital processes, where technical and artistic approaches merged. There, I saw the potential for design solutions grounded in technical fundamentals, while also recognizing the environmental impact of digital workflows, which often consume significant energy and resources. This awareness sparked my interest in simulation and modelling as tools to optimize designs before real-world implementation.

My passion for engineering research truly crystallized during my doctorate, when I was finally able to bring together all my previous interests, architecture, digital tools, sustainability, and technical rigor, to generate new ideas and solutions. This also led me to pursue a degree in electronics design engineering, so I could better integrate electronics with architecture and promote more efficient and sustainable processes.

Collaborating with researchers from institutions such as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, National Instruments, Arizona State University, Universidad del Medio Ambiente, UNAM, and IPN broadened my perspective and exposed me to new research methodologies and ways of thinking. I am also deeply grateful to my mentors, whose guidance and critical feedback constantly encouraged me to push boundaries and pursue new challenges. Their support has been essential in sustaining my passion for research and innovation.

4. From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges female researchers face in your field?

One of the most significant challenges for female researchers is the lack of clear and stable career paths in academia, something I have experienced directly. I ultimately chose not to pursue a third year of postdoctoral research, not only because of the general uncertainty and precariousness that often characterizes research positions for women, but also because my institution offered limited opportunities for professional growth to those who completed their studies there. Even when you are an “outlier” in terms of performance or results, your achievements may not be truly recognized if you are seen as “internal”, and the value of your work can be overlooked in favor of external candidates.

Additionally, I have noticed that workload and recognition are not always distributed equitably; it can be disheartening to see one’s contributions go unacknowledged, especially when postdoctoral researchers take on significant responsibilities behind the scenes. These issues are not exclusive to women, but they often affect women more acutely due to underrepresentation and bias.

It is also important to acknowledge that gender biases and barriers do not always originate externally; sometimes, they are reinforced by other women, often due to internalized machismo or competitive cultural dynamics. This can make the environment even more challenging, since real progress depends on authentic solidarity and mutual support.

In addition, women remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions, often face implicit bias, and may have less access to mentorship or influential networks. The combination of these factors can contribute to isolation, frustration, or burnout.

Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic. I believe that by fostering open dialogue, supporting one another, and advocating for inclusive policies and transparent practices, we can create a more equitable and fulfilling environment for all researchers, especially women in engineering.

5. What distinctive strengths do female engineers bring to academic research, and what strategies would you recommend for leveraging these advantages in career development?

Female engineers often bring a holistic and systems-oriented approach to research, integrating technical rigor with creativity, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. These qualities are especially valuable in interdisciplinary environments where complex challenges require not only technical expertise but also collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to see the “big picture.” I have seen that women frequently excel at building inclusive teams, managing multiple perspectives, and fostering open communication, traits that drive innovation and lead to more robust, well-rounded solutions.

One experience that stands out for me was when a former program director recognized this unique blend of skills and entrusted me to teach a specialization course to architecture students on digital twins and their application in design. She specifically chose me because she saw the potential in combining rigorous engineering with a creative, human-centered approach.

The results were remarkable: students were highly engaged, and their feedback highlighted not only the technical skills they gained but also how the experience transformed their perspective on architecture, motivating them to explore new roles and embrace the integration of advanced technologies in their professional practice. Many noted that the course helped them see the value in bridging the digital and physical worlds and in developing solutions that respond to contemporary and future challenges in architecture.

To leverage these distinctive strengths, I encourage women to actively seek roles where their interdisciplinary skills are valued, to build strong mentoring relationships (both as mentors and mentees), and to continuously expand their networks, especially in spaces that promote diversity and innovation. Investing in communication and leadership development is also essential, as these abilities amplify technical contributions and help create inclusive environments where new ideas can flourish.

Ultimately, embracing and showcasing these qualities of openness, adaptability, and a commitment to both technical excellence and human impact can lead to more meaningful and influential careers, while also inspiring and empowering the next generation of professionals and experts across disciplines. 

6. Could you share a specific example from your research projects where gender diversity directly contributed to innovative problem-solving or unexpected breakthroughs?

Certainly. In a research and teaching project at Tecnológico de Monterrey, we developed a creative identity transformation framework for architectural education using digital twins. Our team of instructors and researchers included both women and men, each bringing expertise from different disciplines such as architecture, engineering, cognitive design, and digital fabrication.

This diversity, across gender, discipline, and perspective, was essential in shaping the pedagogical approach. Different team members brought a range of viewpoints: for example, some emphasized inclusive user experiences and narrative-driven digital twin applications, while others focused on system optimization and technical strategies. This complementary dynamic fostered open discussions, challenged assumptions, and encouraged a balance of technical rigor and human-centered creativity.

As a result, students engaged in a truly interdisciplinary, reflective, and innovative process. For instance, during the development of multisensory and neuroadaptive architectural prototypes, the team’s diverse viewpoints helped ensure that projects addressed not just technological novelty but also cognitive engagement, accessibility, and long-term relevance. This experience reinforced my belief that teams with a range of backgrounds, not only related to gender but also expertise, are best equipped to design technically robust and socially relevant solutions.

7. Based on your experience, what strategic career planning approaches and skill-building priorities would you recommend to early career female researchers in engineering?

Based on my interdisciplinary path, I recommend that early career female researchers embrace flexibility and seek opportunities that allow them to broaden their expertise across fields. Building a solid technical foundation is important, but it’s equally valuable to develop skills in areas such as data analysis, digital tools, and communication, abilities that open doors in both academia and industry.

I also encourage new researchers to actively seek out mentors who can provide guidance and honest feedback. Engaging in collaborative projects, including those outside your main discipline, helps to build confidence, adaptability, and a robust professional network.

Don’t hesitate to participate in conferences, workshops, or short courses, even if they feel outside your comfort zone. These experiences can be transformative, exposing you to new ideas and helping you discover areas where you can stand out. Likewise, developing strong writing and presentation skills will make it easier to share your work and gain recognition.

Finally, be proactive in advocating for yourself; apply for scholarships, grants, and international opportunities, even if you doubt you “fit the mold”. Sometimes, being an outlier or having an unconventional background is precisely what makes you unique and valuable. Most importantly, remember that resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning are among the greatest assets for building a fulfilling and impactful career in engineering.

8. What concrete actions could academic publishers like MDPI take to better support and amplify the work of women in STEM fields?

Academic publishers can play a transformative role in advancing gender equity in STEM. One concrete action is to proactively invite more women to serve as editors, Guest Editors, and reviewers, roles that both recognize expertise and offer valuable leadership experience. For instance, I was recently invited to be a Guest Editor for the Special Issue “Manufacturing Processes and Thermal Properties of Composite Materials” in the journal Processes, which was a meaningful opportunity to help shape the field and promote diverse perspectives.

In addition, publishers can spotlight women-led research through dedicated features, interviews, or thematic issues, and actively promote the visibility of women’s contributions across their platforms. Providing mentorship programs or editorial workshops targeted at early-career female researchers could help build skills and confidence for those interested in scientific publishing.

Finally, I believe it is important for publishers to collect and transparently report data on gender representation in authorship, editorial boards, and peer review. This accountability enables ongoing improvement and demonstrates a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in STEM.

We are pleased to announce that a distinguished scholar has been appointed as an Advisory Board Member for Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717).

Prof. Dr. Ir Dominic Foo is a Professor of Process Design and Integration at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and is the Founding Director of the Centre of Excellence for Green Technologies. His work focuses on process integration, a holistic approach to process design, retrofitting, and operation that emphasises the unity of the process. In his research, Prof. Dr. Foo makes use of various process integration tools such as pinch analysis and mathematical optimisation to solve various problems in resource conservation (e.g. material and energy recovery), CO­­₂ reduction, and batch processes.

Prof. Dr. Ir Dominic Foo is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the UK Engineering Council, a Professional Engineer (PEng) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), and an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE), as well as the President of the Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering (APCChE). He is a world-leading researcher, named on Stanford’s list of the top 2% most cited authors, working in process integration for resource conservation and CO₂ reduction. He has established international collaborations with researchers from various countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Prof. Dr. Foo is an active author, having published eight books and more than 190 journal papers, and additionally having made over 220 conference presentations, with more than 30 keynote/plenary speeches. He has examined more than 40 Ph.D./M.Sc./M.Phil. theses in the UK, South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, China, Qatar, and Taiwan, and has served on International Scientific Committees for many important international conferences (PRES, FOCAPD, ESCAPE, PSE, etc.).

We wish the new Advisory Board Member every success in both his research and the development of the journal.

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. Established in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in the UK, this observance has become a vital platform for advancing diversity and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Together We Engineer” and Goal 5 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Gender Equality, MDPI emphasizes the power of collective action to break down gender barriers and foster a more inclusive engineering culture. In this era of both challenges and opportunities, women engineers are driving technological innovation in unprecedented ways—from sustainable development solutions to AI ethics frameworks, their contributions are fundamentally reshaping our industry.

Join us in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day and supporting initiatives that empower women in STEM. Together, we can build a future where engineering innovation thrives through diversity, and where every aspiring engineer has equal opportunities to shape our world.

We are pleased to announce that the first Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering.

Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025.

Prize:

• CHF 1000;
• An electronic certificate;
• A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

For more details about the award, please visit here. Please feel free to send the nomination letter to ywe-award@mdpi.com.

We are honored to interview several outstanding female scholars in engineering field to share their research journey and your insight into being a female engineer.

	Name: Dr. Teresa Donateo Affiliation: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Italy “Female engineers often bring a unique set of strengths to academic research, shaped by their life experiences and the challenges they routinely navigate. One particularly valuable strength is the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, a skill frequently sharpened through balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, such as motherhood.” Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Jelena Svorcan Affiliation: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia “Females are generally very responsible, well organized, do not do everything at the last minute, and can very successfully deal with particular, tedious tasks. They perform well under pressure and are great as team leaders and teachers since they engage more with the younger colleagues, but can also be strict when necessary.” Please read the full interview here.
	Name: Dr. Yong Wei Tiong Affiliations: 1 Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 2 Singapore Integrative Biosystems and Engineering Research (SIBER), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore “Female engineers often bring a collaborative, systems-oriented mindset that’s well-suited for complex interdisciplinary problems. They tend to approach problem-solving holistically and with strong communication skills, qualities essential for cross-functional research.” Please read the full interview here.

“Artificial Intelligence for Non-Destructive Imaging in Composite Materials”
by Mine Seckin, Pinar Demircioglu, Ahmet Cagdas Seckin, Ismail Bogrekci and Serra Aksoy
Eng 2025, 6(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6030046

“Disassembly Plan Representation by Hypergraph”
by Abboy Verkuilen, Mirjam Zijderveld, Niels de Buck and Jenny Coenen
Automation 2025, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation6010010

“Probing Solid-Binding Peptide Self-Assembly Kinetics Using a Frequency Response Cooperativity Model”
by Taylor Bader, Kyle Boone, Chris Johnson, Cindy L. Berrie and Candan Tamerler
Biomimetics 2025, 10(2), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10020107

“Fast Multi-Distance Time-Domain NIRS and DCS System for Clinical Applications”
by Marco Nabacino, Caterina Amendola, Davide Contini, Rebecca Re, Lorenzo Spinelli and Alessandro Torricelli
Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7375; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227375

“Understanding the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Core Designs on Controlling Bandgaps and Wave Directionality in Cement”
by Nanziri Esther Kayondo and Shreya Vemuganti
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1811–1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030096

“On the Importance of Solar Radiation and Shading for the Alkali–Aggregate Reaction Prediction of Concrete Arch Dams”
by Noemi Schclar Leitão
Eng 2024, 5(3), 1673–1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5030088

“Label- and Reagent-Free Optical Sensor for Absorption-Based Detection of Urea Concentration in Water Solutions”
by Carlo Anelli, Vanessa Pellicorio, Valentina Bello and Sabina Merlo
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092754

“Electromechanical Actuator-Based Solution for a Scissor Lift”
by Łukasz Stawiński, Viacheslav Zakharov, Andrzej Kosucki and Tatiana Minav
Actuators 2023, 12(10), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/act12100394

“A Synthesis-Based Stateful Approach for Guiding Design Thinking in Embedded System Development”
by Hung-Fu Chang and Supannika Koolmanojwong Mobasser
Software 2023, 2(3), 332–349; https://doi.org/10.3390/software2030016

Special Issues:

“New Technologies for Sensors”	“Recent Advances in Compliant Mechanisms”
“Advanced Sensors and Signal Processing for Psychophysiological Monitoring”	“Digital Twins for Sustainable Industrial Processes”
“Micro-/Nanofluidic and Lab-on-a-Chip Devices for Biomedical Applications, 3rd Edition”	“Emerging Trends in Materials Engineering for Clean Energy Applications”

“Effect of Heat Treatment on Polymorphism and Particle Size Distribution of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticle Synthesized via Mechanochemical Process”
by Md Nuruzzaman, Yanju Liu, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman, Saifullah Omar Nasif and Ravi Naidu
Appl. Nano 2025, 6(2), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6020008

“Skin Sensitization Potential of Sensitizers in the Presence of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro”
by Claudia Meindl, Kristin Öhlinger, Verena Zrim, Jennifer Ober, Ramona Jeitler, Eva Roblegg and Eleonore Fröhlich
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(22), 1811; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14221811

“Two-Dimensional MoS₂ Nanosheets Derived from Cathodic Exfoliation for Lithium Storage Applications”
by Alberto Martínez-Jódar, Silvia Villar-Rodil, José M. Munuera, Alberto Castro-Muñiz, Jonathan N. Coleman, Encarnación Raymundo-Piñero and Juan I. Paredes
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(11), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110932

“Gold Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric and Fluorescent Dual-Mode Lateral Flow Immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 Detection”
by Ying Gan, Hefan Zhang, Jing Liu, Fuqin He, Fengheng Li, Ao Li, Man Xing, Dongming Zhou, Shan-Yu Fung and Hong Yang
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15030058

“Examining the Impact of Intermediate Cooling on Mechanical Properties of 22MnB5 in a Tailored Tempering Process”
by Alborz Reihani, Sebastian Heibel, Thomas Schweiker and Marion Merklein
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8010005

“Investigating the Effect of Interface Temperature on Molecular Interdiffusion during Laser Transmission Welding of 3D-Printed Composite Parts”
by Anh-Duc Le, André Chateau Akué Asséko, Benoît Cosson and Patricia Krawczak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186121

“Synthesis, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Biocompatibility of Multi-Component Collagen-Based Hydrogels Developed by E-Beam Irradiation”
by Maria Demeter, Andreea Mariana Negrescu, Ion Calina, Anca Scarisoreanu, Mădălina Albu Kaya, Marin Micutz, Marius Dumitru and Anisoara Cimpean
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(9), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14090454

“A Modelling-Based Framework for Carbon Emissions Calculation in Additive Manufacturing: A Stereolithography Case Study”
by Vasiliki C. Panagiotopoulou, Aikaterini Paraskevopoulou and Panagiotis Stavropoulos
Processes 2023, 11(9), 2574; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11092574

“Natural Polyphenols and the Corrosion Protection of Steel: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives for Green and Promising Strategies”
by Rossella Sesia, Silvia Spriano, Marco Sangermano and Sara Ferraris
Metals 2023, 13(6), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13061070

Special Issues:

“Recent Developments in Friction Stir Welding Technology and Applications”	“Women’s Special Issue Series: Functional Biomaterials (2nd Edition)”
“Healthy and Affordable Zero-Emission Buildings: A Challenge for the Near Future”	“Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Biomimetic Surfaces and Interfaces 2025”
“Advanced Materials and Processing Technologies”	“The 15th Anniversary of Nanomaterials—Women in Nanomaterials”

We are pleased to announce that the Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering. All the nominations will be assessed by an Award Evaluation Committee, and winners will be announced online on 8 March 2026.

Prizes:

• CHF 1000;
• An electronic certificate;
• A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

Number of winners: 2.

Eligibility and requirements:

• This role is designated for female candidates;
• Must have received their Ph.D. no more than 10 years prior to 31 December 2025;
• Must have produced groundbreaking research and made a significant contribution to the advancement of engineering;
• Must be nominated by senior scientists.

List of documents for nomination:

• Detailed curriculum vitae, including an updated publication list and a list of the researcher’s own research grants;
• Scanned copy of doctorate certificate;
• Signed nomination letters from two established senior scientists.

Schedule:

Open for nominations: 23 June 2025;
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025;
Winner announcement: 8 March 2026.

Nominations and contact:

All nomination materials and award-related communications must be submitted via our official email: ywe-award@mdpi.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Young Women in Engineering Award Team

In alignment with International Women in Engineering Day, MDPI emphasizes the power of collective action to break down gender barriers and foster a more inclusive engineering culture. MDPI has invited female engineers to showcase their groundbreaking engineering research and share their personal journeys and insights through roundtable discussion. Join us in building a future for engineering and supporting initiatives that empower women in STEM.

Session 1：Breaking Barriers as Rising Stars

Keywords: women in engineering, female engineers, inspiring women, together we engineer, breaking barriers
Date: 11:00 a.m. CEST | 7:00 p.m. AEST| 5:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 834 2423 4697
Webinar Page: https://sciforum.net/event/2025INWED-1

Register now for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email 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 view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Giulia Scalet, University of Pavia, Italy;
• Dr. Miriam Filippi, ETH Zurich, Switzerland;
• Dr. Kyriaki-Evangelia Aslani, University of the Peloponnese, Greece;
• Dr. Athanasia Tolkou, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece;
• Dr. Sabina Alexandra Nicolae, National Institute of Materials Physics, Romania.

Session 2：Legacy Building Through Inclusive Leadership

Keywords: Women in Engineering, Female Engineers, Inspiring Women, Together We Engineer，Leadership
Date: 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT| 10:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 835 3354 6710
Webinar Page: https://sciforum.net/event/2025INWED-2

Register now for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email 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 view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Sabina Merlo, University of Pavia, Italy;
• Dr. Fabiola Pineda, Universidad Mayor, Chile;
• Dr. Camélia Ghimbeu, Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse, France;
• Dr. Maria Graça Rasteiro, University of Coimbra, Portugal;
• Prof. Dr. Yuliya Semenova, Technological University Dublin, Ireland;
• Dr. Tatiana Ferreira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The food industry is searching for new techniques for the rapid and large-scale determination of food quality parameters for application in automation control systems in industrial processes, as these automated systems facilitate real-time data collection. Among these techniques, instrumental methods based on molecular or vibrational spectroscopy stand out. The use of infrared spectra, either with spectrometers or with imaging systems, is suitable for in-line, online, or at-line analysis at different locations in industrial processes. In this webinar, we have the honor of featuring a senior researcher and two junior researchers, who are all experts on the topic. First, Prof. Dr. Chao-Hui Feng will talk about the use of hyperspectral imaging and terahertz spectroscopy for food quality determination. Next, Mr. Fancheng Ding will talk about the non-invasive prediction of quality traits in packaged mangoes using near-infrared spectroscopy. Finally, Mr. Changzhou Zuo will elaborate on how near-infrared spectroscopy, specifically the spectroscopic properties of pulp tissue, can be utilized to detect infected mangoes. I hope that all attendees will enjoy and benefit from this webinar.

Date: 25 June 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 p.m. CST Asia | 7:00 p.m. JST
Webinar ID: 893 7340 0802

Register now for free.

Program

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.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Juan Francisco García Martín, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seville, Spain;
• Prof. Dr. Chao-Hui Feng, School of Regional Innovation and Social Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, Hokkaido, Japan;
• Mr. Fangchen Ding, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seville, Spain;
• Mr. Changzhou Zuo, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, China; Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU Leuven, Belgium.

Relevant Special Issues:
“Evaluation and Utilization of Antioxidant Activity in Food Products”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Bartosz and Prof. Dr. Izabela Sadowska-Bartosz
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2025

“Research on Green Processing and Testing Technologies for Food and Beverages”
Guest Editors: Dr. Konstantina Tsikrika and Dr. Pol Giménez Gil
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025

“Recent Advances in Food Fermentation Technology”
Guest Editors: Dr. Wendy Franco and Dr. Alejandra Urtubia
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025

“Development of Innovative Processes in Food Engineering”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Jung-Feng Hsieh and Dr. Jooyeoun Jung
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025

“Processes in Agri-Food Technology”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Jingfeng Huang
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025

“Food Processing and Ingredient Analysis”
Guest Editors: Dr. Suphat Phongthai, Dr. Saroat Rawdkuen and Dr. Lovedeep Kaur
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025

“Research and Optimization of Food Processing Technology”
Guest Editors: Dr. José Agustín Tapia Hernández and Dr. Francisco Rodríguez-Félix
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. This year, under the theme “Together We Engineer”, we are sincerely honored to interview the Guest Editor of Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717), Dr. Jelena Svorcan.

1. What key experiences or inspirations led you to dedicate your career to engineering research, and how do you sustain that passion in your work?
I always liked and had success in math and physics (and other natural sciences), and I wanted an occupation that would be connected to these subjects, but also to real-world applications, and that would, in addition, allow me to play constantly. Aerospace engineering (flying, connection to space) seemed like a good balance between these three “opposites” (science, application, imagination). So, it isn’t that hard to sustain passion while working at the university since I like my job, and have the feeling that I can freely engage in research that suits me (it is quite a dynamic environment, and working with students adds a special touch and inspiration). Additionally, my mother worked as a physics teacher, and I had a great role model.

2. Was there anyone, perhaps a role model, who was decisive in your choice to study engineering?
As I previously mentioned, my first role model was probably my mother, since she is the first who explained to me the significance and beauty of science and how it is similar to and different from engineering. But there were also many others, mostly teachers and professors that I met during my education, that were brilliant and, at the same time, great and caring people. My older sister also played an important part in my personal growth. So, in my opinion, role models are important, as they can show us that different options exist and that many things that we thought were too hard, are achievable. They also encourage us to ask questions.
I am convinced even now that teaching through successful examples is one of the most successful ways to approach young people.

3. From your observation, what are the most significant systemic barriers that female researchers face in your field?
In my opinion, there aren’t numerous systematic barriers during education in Serbia (it is the same and available to everyone), apart from the “unwritten” prejudice that engineering is not a “female occupation” (it is difficult and dirty, with too long working hours in the field). So, many girls give up before they even try. Our job now is to explain to them that many engineering aspects are different today and that numerous options for females exist.
I think that real barriers come later when you start working. And, I don’t mean some brute discrimination, but the very subtle, condescending approach of male colleagues. They will rarely let females do any dependable job or reach high positions. And, of course, poorly defined regulations regarding typical life situations (like marriage, pregnancy, etc.) do not help. We should probably work on redefining some of the existing rules and formalities.

4. What distinctive strengths do female engineers bring to academic research, and what strategies would you recommend for leveraging these advantages in career development?
Females are generally very responsible, and well organized, do not do everything at the last minute, and can very successfully deal with particular, tedious tasks. They perform well under pressure and are great as team leaders and teachers since they engage more with younger colleagues, but can also be strict when necessary.
In my opinion, a balanced team, comprising both seniors and juniors, female and male engineers, and people with different opinions, skills, and approaches, is usually the best solution.

5. Could you share a specific example from your research projects where gender diversity directly contributed to innovative problem-solving or unexpected breakthroughs?
The first specific example of successful gender diversity that comes to my mind is probably the activity of writing project proposals. In my (real-life) experience, female colleagues were always more detailed, in both reading and comprehending project requirements and answering all of them. Also, they played a crucial role in finalizing the proposal text and inspecting it in detail. Male colleagues were most often only interested in their part, were a bit impatient, and didn’t want to particularly bother with all the rules and requirements.
So, if you need everything to be “by the book”, and successfully finished, it is best to include some females in the process.

6. What makes you feel recognized and welcomed at work?
I feel recognized when my male colleagues treat me equally and wish to cooperate with me on equal terms (meaning that they are truly interested in what I say and are truly open to my suggestions and ideas). That is basically all we need, equal treatment and opportunities, and I sincerely believe we’ll be able to show all our qualities.

7. Based on your experience, what strategic career planning approaches and skill-building priorities would you recommend to early career female researchers in engineering?
To all beginners, males and females alike, I recommend doing lots of different work, studying, cooperating, listening, discussing, attending conferences and other research events, meeting with experts, etc. Basically, do as many different activities as possible.
To females additionally, I recommend connecting to recognized females in your field of interest, because such persons will serve as great role models, and might even include you in some research projects. Either way, there is a lot to learn from them.

8. What concrete actions could academic publishers like MDPI take to better support and amplify the work of women in STEM fields?
Here, I will try to be imaginative, but I cannot guarantee all my recommendations are viable. Nonetheless, let’s try.
MDPI might offer some special publication price reductions to female authors in scientific journals (even a small fee reduction might inspire a greater number of female authors, particularly from less economically strong countries like Serbia). Also, the vouchers that MDPI provides to reviewers might have more value if younger female researchers perform those reviews. Or, as MDPI provides special traveling awards to young scientists, it might also offer some small research grants to females at the beginning of their careers, that would enable them to perform their research studies (regardless of how small they are) that could later also be published in MDPI journals.
Also, MDPI might organize seminars or training (events similar to the current one) where these topics could be discussed, and some important questions raised (even if not immediately answered).
Lastly, MDPI could form a database of female researchers and help connect them if they are willing and engage in similar research topics, thus inciting greater multicultural and diverse scientific cooperation. As I mentioned several times up to now, increasing the number of women in STEM fields will be a long process, and we’ll need constant engagement, patience, cooperation, experience exchange, and great role models.