Announcements

30 April 2025
Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller Share the 2024 Tu Youyou Award


We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

2024 Tu Youyou Award Laureates

Richard DiMarchi
Indiana University, USA
Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
   

Rolf Müller
Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany;
Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany;
Saarland University, Germany
Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
  • Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
  • Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
  • Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
  • Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
  • Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
  • Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

16 May 2025
Meet Us at the CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 International Congress, 25–28 May 2025, Montreal, Canada


MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 International Congress, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, from 25 to 28 May 2025.

Organized jointly by the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME), the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada (CFDSC) and the Canadian Society of Rheology (CSR), CSME-CFDSC-CSR 2025 will provide exciting opportunities for collaboration and insight into mechanical engineering, CFD and rheology communities both in Canada and abroad.

The conference will focus on the following topics:

  • Advanced Energy Systems;
  • Advanced Manufacturing;
  • Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering;
  • Computational Mechanics;
  • Engineering Analysis and Design;
  • Environmental Engineering;
  • Fluid Mechanics;
  • Machines & Mechanisms;
  • Materials Technology;
  • Mechatronics, Robotics & Controls;
  • Microtechnology & Nanotechnology;
  • Smart Production Systems;
  • Solid Mechanics;
  • Sustainable Practices in Engineering;
  • Thermal Science & Engineering;
  • Transportation Systems;
  • Hydraulic Turbines;
  • Computational Methods & Model Development;
  • Canonical Flows, Flow Physics & Turbulence;
  • Compressible & Multiphysics Flows;
  • Applications of CFD;
  • Theoretical & Computational Rheology, Rheometry;
  • Applied Rheology.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

Discover how MDPI can support your research and academic goals. Our team will be at the booth to discuss MDPI’s submission process, editorial support, and the benefits of open access publishing. Plus, enjoy exciting gifts and exclusive resources available only at our booth!

If you are planning to attend the conference, we would love to connect with you! Our delegates are eager to meet you in person and answer any questions you may have. For more details about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.csmecongress.org/. We look forward to seeing you there!

15 May 2025
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day— “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation”, 17 May 2025


World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, which will be held on 17 May, marks 160 years since the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nation’s agency for digital technologies. WTISD is celebrated to raise awareness of the potential that the internet and other information and communications technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies.

This year’s theme is focused on the promotion of gender equality in digital spaces to foster the equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications and ICTs. While global internet use is gradually moving toward gender parity, significant gaps persist, particularly in developing countries. Efforts to bridge the digital divide are essential to ensure the benefits of new technologies reach all.

In recognition of WTISD 2025, MDPI supports global efforts to promote equitable access to digital technologies. Through open access publishing, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that span fields such as computer science, engineering, and physical science, encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration with the aim of a more inclusive digital society.

Computer Science and Mathematics

       Physical Science
       Engineering
 

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Dr. Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay
Macquarie University, Australia

Prof. Dr. Sotirios K.  Goudos
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Free to register for this webinar here!

Higher-Dimensional Communications Using Multimode Fibers and Compact Components to Enable a Dense Set of Communicating Channels
by Daniel A. Nolan
Optics 20245(3), 330–341; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt5030024

A Joint Communication and Computation Design for Probabilistic Semantic Communications
by Zhouxiang Zhao, Zhaohui Yang, Mingzhe Chen, Zhaoyang Zhang and H. Vincent Poor
Entropy 202426(5), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26050394

Medical Data in Wireless Body Area Networks: Device Authentication Techniques and Threat Mitigation Strategies Based on a Token-Based Communication Approach
by Jan Herbst, Matthias Rüb, Sogo Pierre Sanon, Christoph Lipps and Hans D. Schotten Network 20244(2), 133–149; https://doi.org/10.3390/network4020007

Transceiver Optimization for Multiuser Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Full-Duplex Amplify-and-Forward Relay Downlink Communications
by Yunlong Shao and Thomas Aaron Gulliver
Telecom 20245(1), 216–227; https://doi.org/10.3390/telecom5010011

Reliability of LoRaWAN Communications in Mining Environments: A Survey on Challenges and Design Requirements
by Sonile K. Musonda, Musa Ndiaye, Hastings M. Libati and Adnan M. Abu-Mahfouz
J. Sens. Actuator Netw. 202413(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/jsan13010016

A Survey on Optimal Channel Estimation Methods for RIS-Aided Communication Systems
by Stamatia F. Drampalou, Nikolaos I. Miridakis, Helen C. Leligou and Panagiotis A. Karkazis
Signals 20234(1), 208–234; https://doi.org/10.3390/signals4010012

Performance Optimization of 5G–Satellite Integrated Networks for IoT Applications in Smart Cities: A Two-Ray Propagation Model Approach
by Mfonobong Uko, Sunday C. Ekpo, Sunday Enahoro and Fanuel Elias
Smart Cities 20247(6), 3895–3913; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities7060150

Full-Scale Assessment of the “5GT System” for Tracking and Monitoring of Multimodal Dry Containers
by Mariano Falcitelli, Sandro Noto, Paolo Pagano, Molka Gharbaoui, Agostino Isca, Francesco Fresi, Antonio Mancina, Massimo Toffetti, Antonio Amatruda, Nicola Bendoni et al.
IoT 20245(4), 922–950; https://doi.org/10.3390/iot5040042

Exploring IoT and Blockchain: A Comprehensive Survey on Security, Integration Strategies, Applications and Future Research Directions
by Muath A. Obaidat, Majdi Rawashdeh, Mohammad Alja’afreh, Meryem Abouali, Kutub Thakur
and Ali Karime
Big Data Cogn. Comput. 20248(12), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/bdcc8120174

Reliable and Resilient Wireless Communications in IoT-Based Smart Agriculture: A Case Study of Radio Wave Propagation in a Corn Field
by Blagovest Nikolaev Atanasov, Nikolay Todorov Atanasov and Gabriela Lachezarova Atanasova
Telecom 20245(4), 1161–1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/telecom5040058 

High-Altitude-UAV-Relayed Satellite D2D Communications for 6G IoT Network
by Jie Wang, Tao Hong, Fei Qi, Lei Liu and Xieyao He
Drones 20248(10), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8100532

IoT-Enabled Precision Agriculture: Developing an Ecosystem for Optimized Crop Management
by Shadi Atalla, Saed Tarapiah, Amjad Gawanmeh, Mohammad Daradkeh, Husameldin Mukhtar, Yassine Himeur, Wathiq Mansoor, Kamarul Faizal Bin Hashim and Motaz Daadoo
Information 202314(4), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/info14040205 

A Review of Wireless Positioning Techniques and Technologies: From Smart Sensors to 6G
by Constantina Isaia and Michalis P. Michaelides
Signals 20234(1), 90–136; https://doi.org/10.3390/signals4010006

Virtual Tasting in the Metaverse: Technological Advances and Consumer Behavior Impacts
by Farouk Adéwalé Moustapha, Myriam Ertz and Chourouk Ouerghemmi
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 20248(10), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti8100092

Digital Skills and Gender Equity: Perceptions and Practices of Portuguese Primary Education Teachers
by Ana Mouraz and Ana Nobre
Digital 20244(3), 710–725; https://doi.org/10.3390/digital4030036

Securing Data Exchange with Elliptic Curve Cryptography: A Novel Hash-Based Method for Message Mapping and Integrity Assurance
by Younes Lahraoui, Saiida Lazaar, Youssef Amal and Abderrahmane Nitaj           
Cryptography 20248(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryptography8020023

Cybersickness in Virtual Reality: The Role of Individual Differences, Its Effects on Cognitive Functions and Motor Skills, and Intensity Differences during and after Immersion
by Panagiotis Kourtesis, Agapi Papadopoulou and Petros Roussos
Virtual Worlds 20243(1), 62–93; https://doi.org/10.3390/virtualworlds3010004

Recent Development of Signal Detection and Processing
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yang Zhang, Dr. Yuhang Guo and Prof. Dr. Junfeng Yuan
Submission deadline: 30 July 2025

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) in 6G
Guest Editors: Dr. Danaisy Prado Alvarez and Dr. Jose F. Monserrat
Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

Information Security in Telecommunication Systems
Guest Editors: Dr. Xuyang Jing, Dr. Xian Li and Dr. Cong Wang
Submission deadline: 20 December 2025

Sensing and Wireless Communications
Guest Editor: Dr. Tien M. Nguyen
Submission deadline: 28 December 2025

Optical Communication and Networking
Guest Editor: Dr. Yatian Li
Submission deadline: 31 January 2026

Advances in Semantic Multimedia and Personalized Digital Content
Guest Editors: Dr. Phivos Mylonas, Dr. Christos Troussas, Dr. Akrivi Krouska, Dr. Manolis Walla and Prof. Dr. Cleo Sgouropoulou
Submission deadline: 25 February 2026

 

 

 

 

Eng. Proc., 2024, IEEE ICEIB 2024

2024 IEEE 4th International Conference on Electronic Communications, Internet of Things and Big Data
Taipei. Taiwan | 19–21 April 2024
Volume Editors:
Teen-Hang Meen, National Formosa University, Taiwan
Shu-Han Liao, Tamkang University, Taiwan
Cheng-Fu Yang, National University of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan

Full list of the conference proceedings

13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025


MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

  • Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
  • How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
  • How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
  • Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
  • How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

Speakers

Program and Content

Time

Dr. Stephen Mora

Introduction to MDPI

12:00–12:05 p.m.

 

How to Write and Structure a Research Article

12:05–12:45 p.m.

 

How to Respond to Reviewer Comments

12:45–1:30 p.m.

Dr. Stephen Mora has an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in kinesiology and health science from York University, Canada. He started working at MDPI in May 2024 and is now the Managing Editor of IJOM, a newly transferred society journal published by MDPI. During his graduate studies and MDPI tenure, Stephen has gained extensive experience in attending conferences, meeting with scholars, and hosting online and in-person presentations.

8 May 2025
Meet Us at the ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2025 (ITSAP 2025), 28–30 May 2025, Suwon, Republic of Korea


Conference: ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2025 (ITSAP 2025)
Date: 28–30 May 2025
Location: Suwon, Republic of Korea

MDPI will be attending the ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2025 (ITSAP 2025) as an exhibitor. This event will be held from 28 to 30 May 2025, and we welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit our booth and discuss their latest research with us.

The 2025 Suwon ITS AP Forum, themed “Hyper-Connected Cities by ITS”, will be held over three days, featuring insightful meetings, sessions, exhibitions, business-focused programs, and technical visits and demonstrations, as well as citizen participation activities. Gathering high-level officials, government representatives, industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders, the event aims to strengthen regional partnerships in advancing future mobility technologies, such as C-ITS, automated driving, MaaS, digital twins, and UAM. Acting as a catalyst for exchanging ITS innovations and emerging technologies across the region, it promises to offer an exceedingly comprehensive and enriching experience in both scale and content.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

  • Logistics;
  • Drones;
  • WEVJ;
  • Future Transportation;
  • Vehicles;
  • Digital;
  • Smart Cities;
  • AI;
  • BDCC;
  • Technologies.

If you plan to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #G-40 and answering any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.itsap2025.org/.

30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science

Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.

Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.

Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.

A closer look at the achievement

Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals. 

For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.

Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.

“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing

“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead

Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/

Looking to the future

This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.

Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.

Impactful Research

Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program

I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe. 

The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.

Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI

MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.

These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.

Our IOAP Team

A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.

These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.

What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?

For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.

For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.

Inside MDPI

MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment

Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.

Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html

Why is this important?

As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”

Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.

At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.

About the authors

Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.

Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.

Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.

Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.

Coming Together for Science

 

Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security


Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.

It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.

The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.

The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.

From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!


Awards

Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).

Plants 2025 Conference Team

The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).

Upcoming event

5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)

As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.

Find more upcoming MDPI events here.

Closing Thoughts

Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI

I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.

Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.

MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden

“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.

“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”

Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:

  • The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
  • Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
  • In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

30 April 2025
Announcing the Award Committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/

Chair:


Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn
Ohio State University, USA
Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.
Committee Members:

Prof. Angelo Fontana
University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy
Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.

Prof. Binghe Wang
Georgia State University, USA
Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.  

Dr. Diana Pinto
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.

Prof. Hideaki Kakeya
Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.

Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel
University of Strathclyde, UK
Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.

Prof. Thomas Prisinzano
University of Kentucky, USA
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.

Prof. Wei Li
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

23 April 2025
Meet Us at the World Conference on Carbon 2025, 29 June–4 July 2025, Saint-Malo, France


Conference:
The World Conference on Carbon 2025
Organization: Société Francophone d’Étude des Carbones and European Carbon Association
Date: 29 June–4 July 2025
Place: Saint-Malo, France

MDPI will be attending the World Conference on Carbon 2025 as an exhibitor, which will be held from 29 June to 4 July 2025. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

This conference is jointly organized by the Société Francophone d’Étude des Carbones (SFEC) and the University of Rennes, on behalf of the European Carbon Association (ECA).

Topics include the following:

  • Carbon and biology, medicine, safety;
  • Carbon and environment;
  • Carbon and electrochemical processes and technologies;
  • Carbon and catalysis;
  • Carbon and electronics;
  • Innovations in synthesis, processing, characterization, and modeling;
  • Innovative materials;
  • Carbon for structural applications and thermal management;
  • Carbon nanoforms;
  • Kerogens, coals, cokes, graphite, carbonization/graphitization processes;
  • sp³ C-rich carbons;
  • Perspectives on raw materials sourcing for carbon and graphite and industrial processes.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you plan to attend this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://premc.org/carbon2025/.

16 April 2025
Technologies Accepted into Ei Compendex


We are pleased to announce that Technologies (ISSN: 2227-7080) has been selected for coverage in the science citation index Ei Compendex in April 2025. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of the authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to this journal and helped us to accomplish this achievement.

Technologies is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that provides an advanced forum for the latest research in technological studies to both scholars and professionals in an array of related disciplines. It publishes research papers, reviews, and communications, as well as Special Issues, on selected subjects of current and future significance.

The aim of Technologies is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. Therefore, the journal has no restriction on the maximum length of submitted papers. Full experimental details should be provided so that the results can be reproduced. Electronic files and software regarding the comprehensive details of calculations or experimental procedures, if unable to be published in a normal way, can be deposited as supplementary electronic material.

To make the most of this opportunity, we would like to invite you to submit your research to the journal, and we warmly welcome you to consider Technologies as a platform for publishing your work. If you have a paper concerning any topic within the scope of the journal, please submit it via the journal’s website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/technologies.

Technologies Editorial Office

11 April 2025
International Day of Human Space Flight—“The Beginning of the Space Era for Mankind”, 12 April 2025


The International Day of Human Space Flight, observed annually on 12 April, commemorates Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 spaceflight—the first human journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This milestone marked the dawn of human space exploration, fostering scientific and technological advancements that continue to benefit humanity. Space science and technology play a crucial role in sustainable development, atmospheric research, satellite communications, and global cooperation.

In recognition of the International Day of Human Space Flight, MDPI plans to celebrate the achievements of space exploration and the scientists and engineers who are driving innovation in aerospace and related fields. Through its open access publishing modal, MDPI ensures that cutting-edge research on space technologies, geosciences, and remote sensing is accessible to experts, decision-makers, and global audiences. By promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, MDPI supports the continued advancement of space research, ensuring that outer space remains a shared frontier for peaceful and sustainable development.

   

Use of Simulation for Pre-Training of Drone Pilots
by Alexander Somerville, Timothy Lynar, Keith Joiner and Graham Wild
Drones 2024, 8(11), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8110640

Aircraft Skin Machine Learning-Based Defect Detection and Size Estimation in Visual Inspections
by Angelos Plastropoulos, Kostas Bardis, George Yazigi, Nicolas P. Avdelidis and Mark Droznika
Technologies 2024, 12(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies12090158

Landsat 9 Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 (TIRS-2) Pre- and Post-Launch Spatial Response Performance
by Rehman Eon, Brian N. Wenny, Ethan Poole, Sarah Eftekharzadeh Kay, Matthew Montanaro, Aaron Gerace and Kurtis J. Thome
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061065

Lineament Domain Analysis to Unravel Tectonic Settings on Planetary Surfaces: Insights from the Claritas Fossae (Mars)
by Evandro Balbi and Fabrizio Marini
Geosciences 2024, 14(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14030079

Simulation of Human Movement in Zero Gravity
by Adelina Bärligea, Kazunori Hase and Makoto Yoshida
Sensors 2024, 24(6), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24061770

Enhancing Planetary Exploration through Digital Twins: A Tool for Virtual Prototyping and HUMS Design
by Lucio Pinello, Lorenzo Brancato, Marco Giglio, Francesco Cadini and Giuseppe Francesco De Luca
Aerospace 2024, 11(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11010073

Performance Estimate of a Spin-Stabilized Drag Sail for Spacecraft Deorbiting
by Lorenzo Niccolai and Giovanni Mengali
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020612

The Design of a Reaction Flywheel Speed Control System Based on ADRC
by Jiachen Song, Jianguo Guo, Changtao Qin and Wanliang Zhao
Automation 2023, 4(3), 246-262; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation4030015

Short-Term Prediction of 80–88 km Wind Speed in Near Space Based on VMD–PSO–LSTM
by Shaoyi Yang, Hua Yang, Na Li and Zonghua Ding
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020315

Enhanced Range and Endurance Evaluation of a Camber Morphing Wing Aircraft
by Bruce W. Jo and Tuba Majid
Biomimetics 2023, 8(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics8010034

Aviation Science and Technology Applications
Guest Editor: Dr. Graham Wild
Submission deadline: 30 April 2025

Ionospheric Disturbances and Space Weather
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Jianyong Lu
Submission deadline: 25 June 2025

Planetary Geologic Mapping and Remote Sensing (Second Edition)
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Kaichang Di, Prof. Dr. Long Xiao and Prof. Dr. Jan-Peter Muller
Submission deadline: 31 July 2025

Eng. Proc., 2025, EASN 2024
The 14th EASN International Conference on “Innovation in Aviation & Space Towards Sustainability Today & Tomorrow”
Thessaloniki, Greece | 8–11 October 2024
Volume Editors:
Spiros Pantelakis, University of Patras, Greece
Andreas Strohmayer, University of Stuttgart, Germany
Nikolaos Michailidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Full list of the conference proceedings

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