Announcements

The Separations Young Investigator Award was established in 2024 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of separation science. The winner was chosen by the journal’s award committee. 

Name: Dr. Li Yan
Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Interests: environmental interface chemistry; DFT calculations; synchrotron-based X-ray techniques; nanotechnology; water treatment; biogeochemistry 

Let us hear her opinions and find out about her experiences with scientific research and awards. 

1. What are your current research areas?
My current research focuses on environmental interfacial chemistry and water treatment. Specifically, I utilize advanced spectroscopic and theoretical methodologies, such as synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, in situ FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and MD simulations, to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms governing interfacial chemistry. These insights guide the molecular design and development of targeted materials for water treatment, particularly for the removal and transformation of heavy metals and organic pollutants.

2. How did you become interested in your current research field?
Water treatment has never been more critical due to the growing issue of environmental pollution. Understanding the principles and developing technologies for water treatment are central to my research interests. This work is of great significance as it can reduce pollutant exposure and alleviate serious illnesses. Moreover, access to clean water is vital for the sustainability of both industry and the environment. Achieving these goals requires advancements in water treatment principles and technologies, which provide tremendous opportunities for my current research. In other aspects, I think my interest in this field is profoundly influenced by my Ph.D. mentor, whose attitude, perspective, insights, and dedication to scientific research have deeply inspired me to pursue this area of study. 

3. Could you please share some particularly interesting or unexpected results you have found during your research experience?
I remember when I was doing my Ph.D., I conducted a project to investigate the adsorption performance of different types of TiO₂ for arsenic removal. I found a significant difference in adsorption capacities, but surprisingly, the specific surface area did not determine the varying adsorption capacities. This was unexpected, as we typically assume that BET surface area is a key factor in adsorption. After a thorough investigation, I discovered that the exposed crystal facets of nanomaterials were responsible for the diverse adsorption behaviors, as their different surface atomic structures determine the chemical bonding with pollutants. Following this, I further explored this facet-dependent phenomenon across a wide range of materials, elucidated the underlying mechanisms, and developed crystal growth principles to guide the synthesis of facet-controllable nanoparticles for practical applications. 

4. What do you think is your greatest scientific achievement so far?
I think one of my significant achievements was the innovation of a facet-engineering technique to address the long-standing challenge in the controllable synthesis of nanomaterials. This innovative approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the concentration-limited kinetically controlled growth mechanisms of crystal facets at the molecular level. In this work, I employed computational modeling of molecule diffusion and adsorption to minimize surface energy and selectively protect desired facets during synthesis, which guided the production of TiO₂ nanocrystals with tunable facet ratios. This research pioneered a deterministic approach to regulating crystal facets in nanomaterials, significantly advancing the understanding of the kinetic growth mechanisms of crystals.
Building on this, I further developed granulation and industrial-scale manufacturing techniques for facet-tailored nanomaterials. I also collaborated with industrial partner to scale up the production of granular TiO₂ and designed water treatment processes and equipment for pilot-scale applications. This work specifically focused on arsenic removal from geogenic groundwater in Shanxi, China, providing benefits to the local residents. 

I think there are four topics that would be of particular interest:
First, decentralized water treatment systems. These systems are gaining popularity, especially in rural or off-grid areas where large-scale infrastructure is not feasible. Developing cost-effective, robust, and low-maintenance systems that can be easily deployed at the community or household level holds great promise. Second, wastewater reuse and resource recovery. As water scarcity becomes more pressing, wastewater reuse will play a critical role in closing the loop in water management. Additionally, resource recovery from wastewater—such as extracting valuable materials like phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, and energy (e.g., biogas production)—will be an essential area of research. Third, the integration of traditional water chemistry with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Data-driven approaches can help stay at the forefront and predict development trends, such as the development of new materials, providing insights into the innovation of water treatment principles and technologies. Fourth, the water-energy nexus, which requires the efficient integration of diverse water treatment technologies to tackle emerging pollutants and complex water matrices. This approach aims to save energy and costs while promoting sustainability. 

6. What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Or, as a scientific researcher, how to balance life and research work?
The secret to a fulfilling scientific life often lies in a genuine passion for research. When you know you're working on something meaningful and truly enjoy what you do, it enriches your life and provides a sense of fulfillment. Research is often a marathon, not a sprint, and staying focused on topics that genuinely interest you helps maintain motivation during challenging times. When you're passionate about your work, long hours feel less like a chore and more like a meaningful pursuit. Balancing research with other aspects of life requires effective time management. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life ensures that neither dominates the other. Avoid overcommitting—prioritize tasks, stick to deadlines, and still leave room for rest and relaxation. Additionally, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Incorporate flexibility and fun into your routine. Research can be mentally taxing, so using relaxation or mindfulness techniques to recharge is essential. Also, don’t hesitate to take breaks, go on vacations, or explore new hobbies outside of research. Sometimes, a change in scenery or a new experience can help reset your mind, allowing you to return to your research with renewed energy.

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Yes, I believe the first crucial step is to choose a research topic that truly interests you and holds meaningful value. During the process, it’s important to set realistic goals and expectations, breaking down larger projects into manageable steps. Always keep the bigger picture in mind. In research, setbacks and failures are inevitable, and it’s essential to maintain perspective and not let individual frustrations undermine your sense of purpose. Additionally, cultivate a growth mindset. Research is full of challenges and setbacks, but each one can be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve. Also, embrace collaboration and curiosity—working with others can enrich your own research, and being open to new ideas will help you approach problems with a sense of wonder and innovation. 

8. What qualities of researchers do you think are more conducive to their research progress?
I think there are several qualities that play a significant role in the progress and success of a researcher. Some of the most important qualities include passion and motivation, curiosity and a love for learning, persistence and resilience, critical thinking and expertise, creativity and innovation, self-confidence and independence, effective communication, organization and time management, and ethical integrity. These traits not only contribute to conducting high-quality research but also help in navigating the inevitable challenges that arise during the scientific process. 

9. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I view open access as a crucial step toward making scientific knowledge more equitable, accessible, and impactful. It represents a positive development for both the scientific community and society at large, promoting the democratization of knowledge, facilitating faster dissemination of research, and opening new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. However, like any model, open access does come with its challenges. Issues such as the publication fees, quality control, and overwhelming volume of content remain significant concerns that need to be addressed. Overall, I see open access as a positive trend, but it requires ongoing refinement to ensure it is accessible to all researchers and supports the long-term sustainability of the academic publishing ecosystem. 

For more information about the awards presented by Separations, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations/awards. 

Separations Editorial Office

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Separations 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award. The Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) Editorial Board and editorial team wish to acknowledge the time and energy dedicated by reviewers to checking manuscripts submitted to this journal. It is due to their efforts that the high-quality reputation and quick turnaround of Separations are maintained.

Winners:

• Dr. Filipe Buarque, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
• Dr. Marija R. Popović-Nikolić, University of Belgrade, Serbia;
• Prof. Dr. Alien Blanco-Flores, National Technological of Mexico, Mexico.

Prizes:

• CHF 400 and an electronic certificate;
• A voucher for free article processing valid for one year.

Separations Editorial Office

1. “Extraction of Phycocyanin and Chlorophyll from Spirulina by “Green Methods””
by Krastena Nikolova, Nadezhda Petkova, Dasha Mihaylova, Galia Gentscheva, Georgi Gavrailov, Ivaylo Pehlivanov and Velichka Andonova
Separations 2024, 11(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020057
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/57

2. “Extraction and Purification of Catechins from Tea Leaves: An Overview of Methods, Advantages, and Disadvantages”
by Oana Cioanca, Ionut-Iulian Lungu, Ioana Mita-Baciu, Silvia Robu, Ana Flavia Burlec, Monica Hancianu and Florina Crivoi
Separations 2024, 11(6), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11060171
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/6/171

3. “Immunochromatographic Detection of Human Blood: A Forensic Review”
by Calogero Cuttaia, Barbara Di Stefano, Solange Sorçaburu Ciglieri, Raffaella Vetrini, Carlo Previderè and Paolo Fattorini
Separations 2024, 11(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/66

4. “Bioactive Compounds from Spirulina spp.—Nutritional Value, Extraction, and Application in Food Industry”
by Blaženko Marjanović, Maja Benković, Tamara Jurina, Tea Sokač Cvetnić, Davor Valinger, Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić and Ana Jurinjak Tušek
Separations 2024, 11(9), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11090257
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/9/257

5. “Potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Extraction of Organic Compounds from Food Industry By-Products and Agro-Industrial Waste”
by Maja Molnar, Dajana Gašo-Sokač, Mario Komar, Martina Jakovljević Kovač and Valentina Bušić
Separations 2024, 11(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11010035
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/1/35

6. “An LC-MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Insulin, Cortisol, Glucagon-like Peptide 1, Ghrelin, and Osteocalcin”
by Zhichao Zhang, Hareem Siddiqi, Yu-Ping Huang, Shannon McClorry, Peng Ji, Daniela Barile and Carolyn M. Slupsky
Separations 2024, 11(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020041
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/41

7. “Summary of Pretreatment of Waste Lithium-Ion Batteries and Recycling of Valuable Metal Materials: A Review”
by Linye Li, Yuzhang Li and Guoquan Zhang
Separations 2024, 11(7), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11070196
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/7/196

8. “Accelerated Development of AAV Purification Process Using a High-Throughput and Automated Crossflow System”
by Sónia Mendes, Tiago Q. Faria, André Nascimento, Marc Noverraz, Franziska Bollmann, Piergiuseppe Nestola, António Roldão, Cristina Peixoto and Ricardo J. S. Silva
Separations 2024, 11(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030073
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/73

9. “Development and Validation of an LC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Plasma and Red Blood Cell Omega Fatty Acids: A Useful Diagnostic Tool”
by Lénárd Farczádi, Minodora Dobreanu, Adina Huțanu and Silvia Imre
Separations 2024, 11(5), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11050140
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/5/140

10. “Chemical Characterization of Human Body Odor Headspace Components”
by A. Celeste Medrano, Ariela Cantu, Edgar O. Aviles-Rosa, Nathaniel J. Hall, Michele N. Maughan, Jenna D. Gadberry and Paola A. Prada-Tiedemann
Separations 2024, 11(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030085
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/3/85

11. “A Hydrothermal Synthesis Process of ZSM-5 Zeolite for VOCs Adsorption Using Desilication Solution”
by Zhenhua Sun, Qingxiang Shu, Qikun Zhang, Shaopeng Li, Ganyu Zhu, Chenye Wang, Jianbo Zhang, Huiquan Li and Zhaohui Huang
Separations 2024, 11(2), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11020039
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/2/39

The International Day of Zero Waste, jointly facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis. 

Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, land, and biodiversity loss, as well as pollution and waste. 

This year’s International Day of Zero Waste, with the theme of “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”, emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions. 

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Applied Sciences, Atmosphere, Clean Technologies, Environments, Foods, Nanomaterials, Recycling, Resources, Separations, Sustainability, Urban Science and Waste, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding zero waste.

“Recycling of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Waste Through Delamination with Recoverable Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents”
by Roberta Mastroddi, Chiara Samorì, Martina Vagnoni, Chiara Gualandi, Paola Galletti and Emilio Tagliavini
Separations 2025, 12(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020045

“Integration of Circular Economy and Urban Metabolism for a Resilient Waste-Based Sustainable Urban Environment”
by Konstantina Ragazou, Georgia Zournatzidou, George Sklavos and Nikolaos Sariannidis
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040175

“Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments”
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063

“Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Transforming Food Wastes into Renewable Food Resources”
by Priti Pal, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, Saurabh Singh Rathore, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Sanjukta Subudhi, Prakash Kumar Sarangi and Piotr Prus
Foods 2024, 13(18), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183007

“Review on Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste Management—Challenges and Research Prospects”
by Noushin Islam, Malindu Sandanayake, Shobha Muthukumaran and Dimuth Navaratna
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289

“Enhanced Extraction of Carotenoids from Tomato Industry Waste Using Menthol/Fatty Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Despoina Vlachoudi, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou and Stavros I. Lalas
Waste 2023, 1(4), 977-992; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste1040056

“Waste Management in the Smart City: Current Practices and Future Directions”
by Danuta Szpilko, Antonio de la Torre Gallegos, Felix Jimenez Naharro, Agnieszka Rzepka and Angelika Remiszewska
Resources 2023, 12(10), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12100115

“Modern Technologies for Waste Management: A Review”
by Wojciech Czekała, Jędrzej Drozdowski and Piotr Łabiak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158847

“Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Italy According to EU Directives”
by Patrizia Ghisellini, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
Environments 2023, 10(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070106

“Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 3D Concrete Printing and Casting Processes for Cementitious Materials Incorporating Ground Waste Tire Rubber”
by Matteo Sambucci, Ilario Biblioteca and Marco Valente
Recycling 2023, 8(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8010015

“Challenges and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen and Dr. Daniel Lachos-Perez Submission deadline: 1 July 2025	“Waste Valorization and Management to Increase the Resources Sustainability” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Lisandro Simão and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Tramontin Souza Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery” Guest Editors: Dr. Cheng-Han Lee, Dr. Hsing Jung Ho and Dr. Fan-Wei Liu Submission deadline: 1 August 2025	“New Trends in Liquid and Solid Effluent Treatment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gassan Hodaifa, Dr. Mha Albqmi and Dr. Zacharias Frontistis Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers that were published in our journal Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) in 2023.

The following is a list of articles that may be of interest to you:

1. “Removal of Azo Dyes from Wastewater through Heterogeneous Photocatalysis and Supercritical Water Oxidation”
by Vincenzo Vaiano and Iolanda De Marco
Separations 2023, 10(4), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10040230
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/4/230

2. “Green Extraction Techniques for the Determination of Active Ingredients in Tea: Current State, Challenges, and Future Perspectives”
by Ioulia Maria Koina, Yiannis Sarigiannis and Evroula Hapeshi
Separations 2023, 10(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020121
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/121

3. “Health-Promoting Potential of Millet: A Review”
by Ashfak Ahmed Sabuz, Md Rahmatuzzaman Rana, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Mainuddin Molla, Nazmul Islam, Hafizul Haque Khan, Golam Ferdous Chowdhury, Qingyu Zhao and Qun Shen
Separations 2023, 10(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020080
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/80

4. “Potential of Advanced Oxidation as Pretreatment for Microplastics Biodegradation”
by Kristina Bule Možar, Martina Miloloža, Viktorija Martinjak, Matija Cvetnić, Hrvoje Kušić, Tomislav Bolanča, Dajana Kučić Grgić and Šime Ukić
Separations 2023, 10(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020132
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/132

5. “Extraction and Analysis of Chemical Compositions of Natural Products and Plants”
by Mengjie Zhang, Jinhua Zhao, Xiaofeng Dai and Xiumei Li
Separations 2023, 10(12), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10120598
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/12/598

6. “Application of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks in Environmental Remediation: Recent Advances and Future Trends”
by Yu Zhang, Mengfei Tian, Zahid Majeed, Yuxin Xie, Kaili Zheng, Zidan Luo, Chunying Li and Chunjian Zhao
Separations 2023, 10(3), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10030196
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/3/196

7. “Recent Clay-Based Photocatalysts for Wastewater Treatment”
by Chitiphon Chuaicham, Jirawat Trakulmututa, Kaiqian Shu, Sulakshana Shenoy, Assadawoot Srikhaow, Li Zhang, Sathya Mohan, Karthikeyan Sekarand and Keiko Sasaki
Separations 2023, 10(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020077
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/77

8. “Innovative Solutions for Food Analysis: Microextraction Techniques in Lipid Peroxidation Product Detection”
by Jorge A. Custodio-Mendoza, Ana M. Ares-Fuentes and Antonia M. Carro
Separations 2023, 10(10), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10100531
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/10/531

9. “Renewable Resource Biosorbents for Pollutant Removal from Aqueous Effluents in Column Mode”
by Lavinia Tofan and Daniela Suteu
Separations 2023, 10(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10020143
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/2/143

10. “Mass Spectrometry-Based Techniques for the Detection of Non-Intentionally Added Substances in Bioplastics”
by Nicolò Riboni, Federica Bianchi, Antonella Cavazza, Maurizio Piergiovanni, Monica Mattarozzi and Maria Careri
Separations 2023, 10(4), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10040222
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/4/222

11. “Fluoride Removal from Water Sources by Adsorption on MOFs”
by Athanasia K. Tolkou and Anastasios I. Zouboulis
Separations 2023, 10(9), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10090467
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/9/467

12. “Recent Applications of Carbon Nanotubes for Separation and Enrichment of Lead Ions”
by Krystyna Pyrzynska
Separations 2023, 10(3), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10030152
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/10/3/152

Conference: The 18th National Conference and Symposium on Hydrochemistry
Date: 28–30 March 2025
Location: Tianjin, China

MDPI will be attending the 18th National Conference and Symposium on Hydrochemistry as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The 18th National Conference and Symposium on Hydrochemistry is organized by Tianjin University and the Applied Chemistry Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society, which will be held from 28 to 30 March 2025. The theme of this year’s conference is “Pollution reduction, carbon reduction, and green expansion—Goals, vision, and innovative in the development of wastewater treatment chemistry”.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Water;
• Limnological Review;
• Environments;
• Resources;
• Recycling;
• Clean Technol.;
• Separations;
• Hydrology;
• Land.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. 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 website: https://waterchem2025.scimeeting.cn/.

Editor's Choice Articles are selected based on suggestions from Separations’ Academic Editors worldwide, who select a small number of recently published articles that they consider particularly interesting to our readers or important in their respective fields of research. You are welcome to read the updated 2024 Editor's Choice Articles below, a curated list of high-quality articles from Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739).

The full selection of articles can be viewed at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations/editors_choice.

1. “Laser Manufacturing of Superwetting Oil–Water Separation Materials: A Review”
by Wei Xiong, Linfeng Zhu, Ruisong Jiang and Chaolang Chen
Separations 2024, 11(4), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11040126
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/4/126

2. “Decoding the Volatile Profile of White Romanian Fetească Wines”
by Fulvia-Ancuța Manolache, Denisa-Eglantina Duță, Gabriela Daniela Criveanu-Stamatie, Teodora-Alexandra Iordache and Maria-Cristina Todașcă
Separations 2024, 11(5), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11050141
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/5/141

3. “Achievements in Preparation of Cyclodextrin–Based Porous Materials for Removal of Pollutants”
by Kaiyue Bao, Anyun Zhang, Yiyao Cao and Lei Xu
Separations 2024, 11(5), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11050143
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/5/143

4. “Simultaneous Determination of Multiresidues of Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs in Agricultural Soil Using QuEChERS and UHPLC–MS/MS”
by Michele C. Vicari, Janice F. Facco, Sandra C. Peixoto, Gabriel S. de Carvalho, Luana Floriano, Osmar D. Prestes, Martha B. Adaime and Renato Zanella
Separations 2024, 11(6), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11060188
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/6/188

5. “Polyphenols Extraction from Different Grape Pomaces Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents”
by Alessandro Frontini, Andrea Luvisi, Carmine Negro, Massimiliano Apollonio, Rita Accogli, Mariarosaria De Pascali and Luigi De Bellis
Separations 2024, 11(8), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11080241
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/8/241

6. “Simple Green Purification of Spilanthol from Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent and Ethanolic Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen Extracts Using Solid-Phase Extraction”
by Fabian Alperth, Sebastian Erhart, Olaf Kunert and Franz Bucar
Separations 2024, 11(8), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11080251
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/8/251

7. “Quantitation of Copper Tripeptide in Cosmetics via Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction Combined with Zwitterionic Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography and UV/Vis Detection”
by Pantelitsa Pingou, Anthi Parla, Abuzar Kabir, Kenneth G. Furton, Victoria Samanidou, Spyridon Papageorgiou, Efthimios Tsirivas, Athanasia Varvaresou and Irene Panderi
Separations 2024, 11(10), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11100293
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/10/293

8. “Pomegranate Juice Clarification Using Ultrafiltration: Influence of the Type of Variety and Degree of Ripeness”
by Asunción M. Hidalgo, José A. Macario, Marta Abellán-Baeza, Teresa Sánchez-Moya, Rubén López-Nicolás and Fulgencio Marín-Iniesta
Separations 2024, 11(5), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11050134
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/5/134

9. “Hyphenation of Thermodesorption into GC × GC-TOFMS for Odorous Molecule Detection in Car Materials: Column Sets and Adaptation of Second Column Dimensions to TD Pressure Constraints”
by Romain Klein, José Dugay, Jérôme Vial, Didier Thiébaut, Guy Colombet, Donatien Barreteau and Guillaume Gruntz
Separations 2024, 11(6), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11060162
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/6/162

10. “Applications of Sample Preparation Techniques in the Analysis of New Psychoactive Substances”
by Lorna A. Nisbet, Fiona M. Wylie and Karen S. Scott
Separations 2024, 11(9), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11090258
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/9/258

You are invited to view and submit relevant papers to the journal Separations via the following link:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations.

Separations Editorial Office

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

• Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
• Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
• Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

• Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;

• Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
• Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.