Announcements
2 October 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #27 - OASPA 2025, COUNTER 5.1, UK Summit in London, MDPI at the Italian Senate
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
MDPI at OASPA 2025: Embracing the Complexity of Open Access
From 22 to 24 September, I joined the OASPA 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium, where the theme, “Embracing the Complexity – How do we get to 100% Open Access?” tackled the hard questions about the future of scholarly communication.
With MDPI a longstanding member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA) and Platinum sponsor of the conference, I was invited to present and participate in important discussions on how we can continue to move the needle in Open Access (OA) publishing.
From 50% to 100% Open Access
Last year’s OASPA conference celebrated a major milestone – reaching 50% of global research outputs published as OA. But, as noted during the conference, this was the “easy” part. The challenge ahead is much tougher: how do we take OA from 50% to 100%? For many academics and institutions, OA is still relatively new, and thus it is essential for us to continue educating people as to what OA is, how it works, and why it matters.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) presenting at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.
MDPI’s perspective
At MDPI, we are fully committed to this. As a 100% OA publisher, our growth is inseparable from the success of OA itself. In many ways, MDPI is a byproduct of the global adoption of OA, and we play an important role in helping to advance it further.
I had the opportunity to share MDPI’s perspective in the panel discussion entitled: "Hello from the other side: views from fully Open Access journals using APCs," alongside industry colleagues from PLOS, eLife, AOSIS, and Frontiers.
Instead of giving a standard presentation, I highlighted aspects of MDPI that the audience might not be aware of. I also presented on the opportunities and challenges facing publishers that are already fully OA, the importance of diverse models in achieving 100% OA, and why OA is the baseline while Open Science is the future.
Recognizing Gold OA
As part of the panel, I had undertaken to make some bold and provocative statements. I therefore emphasized a point that is sometimes overlooked: we didn’t reach 50% OA without Gold OA – it accounts for more than half of all OA publications today. And we certainly won’t reach 100% OA without it.
“By educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level”
“When people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should ‘put some respek on our name.”
MDPI is a leader in Gold OA and has been a driver of this progress at scale.
While Gold OA and MDPI are sometimes slighted, both deserve recognition for their contributions to advancing Open Science globally.
I closed my presentation with a reminder that the good we do is sometimes overlooked, and that when people speak about Gold OA and MDPI, they should "put some respek on our name."
I’m pleased to have seen attendees sharing positive experiences with MDPI, reminding us that we bring real value to the OA movement and deserve a stronger reputation. We also engaged in constructive conversations about various topics, including cost transparency.
A few themes that I took away from the conference:
- Quality and integrity matter as much as access. OA publishers must not lose sight of research integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability while pursuing 100% OA.
- Global collaboration is essential. Policies, funding models, and infrastructure differ around the world, and we will need cross-border collaboration to make OA a truly global reality.
- Open Science is the bigger story. OA is just the first step – the future lies in open data, open peer review, research reproducibility, etc.
“MDPI’s scale allows us to better support authors, reinvest in communities, and push Open Science forward”
How we communicate MDPI’s role
For us at MDPI, this is also a reminder of how we communicate externally. When we tell our story, we shouldn’t forget to start with the bigger picture – Open Science and Open Access. Then we connect it to MDPI, our journals, services, and initiatives, exemplifying the fact that we are part of a mission larger than ourselves.
MDPI colleagues Clàudia Aunós (Society Partnerships), Marta Colomer (External Affairs), Stefan Tochev (CEO), and Nikola Paunovic (Scilit), at OASPA’s 2025 Annual Conference in Leuven, Belgium.
The journey to 100% OA will not be simple. But by educating the community and working together, we can continue to take Open Science to the next level.
Impactful Research
MDPI becomes COUNTER 5.1 compliant across 480+ Journals
I’m pleased to share that MDPI has officially become COUNTER 5.1 compliant and has joined the COUNTER Registry.
For those who might not be familiar with it, COUNTER provides international standards for tracking and reporting how research is being used. By becoming COUNTER 5.1 compliant, MDPI can now deliver credible, comparable, and transparent usage reports across our entire journal portfolio.
“MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers”
Why is this important?
Because usage statistics aren’t just numbers: they’re powerful tools that help our authors, institutions, and consortia understand the real impact of their research. With COUNTER compliant reports, our institutional partners can now make more informed decisions about publishing agreements, funding allocations, and the long-term value of Open Access.
In practical terms, MDPI will now provide Platform, Title, and Item Reports, with standardized usage views available at the institute and consortium level. These reports cover usage from January 2024 onwards and will be updated monthly. Institutions will be able to access them via SuSy, or automatically through the COUNTER API.
I’d like to highlight and thank Becky Castellon, our Institutional Partnerships Manager, who has played a key role in driving this project forward. Becky captured it perfectly when she said: "Through these usage reports, our global research community can access trustworthy data about how their work is being used and accessed
This information is often vital for reviewing publishing partnership agreements and for making informed decisions about future funding allocations."
We also received encouraging feedback from Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director at COUNTER Metrics:
"We’re delighted to see born-OA publishers engaging with COUNTER. Our normalised usage metrics are relied on as the basis for credible return-on-investment calculations by libraries worldwide. By adopting the COUNTER standard, MDPI is showing that they want to be measured against the same yardstick as other publishers."
For MDPI, this milestone is another step in our commitment to transparency, trust, and impact. By adopting COUNTER’s standards, we’re not just aligning with best practice; we’re ensuring that Open Access publishing is measured on the same terms as traditional publishing, proving its value in concrete and globally recognized ways.
This is an important milestone for MDPI, but more importantly for the researchers, librarians, and institutions we serve. Transparency builds trust, and COUNTER compliance helps us show the global reach and influence of Open Access publishing in the clearest way possible.
Inside Research
Lin Li (Publisher, MDPI), Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI, Prof. Chengkuo Lee (Editor-in-Chief, AI Sensors), and Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing) at restaurant in Basel, Switzerland.
Welcoming Prof. Lee (EiC of AI Sensors) to Basel
On 11 September, we welcomed Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee, Editor-in-Chief of our new journal AI Sensors, to our Basel office. Prof. Lee is a high profiled researcher (h-index 104, 37,000+ citations), a longtime collaborator with MDPI (25 published articles), and has already chaired several AI Sensors (AIS)-related conferences with us, including the recent event in Kuala Lumpur, where AI Sensors held its first editorial board meeting.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) showing Special Issue reprint books as part of a tour of MDPI’s Basel office.
Every journal has a story
During his visit, we exchanged ideas on how to build the journal’s identity and impact. A key takeaway that I shared was that every journal has a story: its vision, its purpose, and the community it brings together.
That story is what connects with readers and authors, beyond metrics alone.
I encouraged everyone working on journals to reflect: What is the story of your journal? And how can you bring that story to the forefront in how you communicate about it?
How MDPI supports new journals
Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing, MDPI) presenting on the MDPI indexing process at the company’s headquarters in Basel.
We also shared with Prof. Lee how MDPI supports journals through our Institutional Open Access Program, indexing expertise, and the work of our Journal Relationship Specialists.
Launching a new journal is ambitious, but with our strong track record (93% Scopus and 87% Web of Science acceptance rates in 2024), Prof. Lee felt confident that AI Sensors will find its place in the scholarly landscape.
Having spent some hours together, it’s clear that Prof. Lee is not only an Editor-in-Chief but also an ambassador for MDPI. His leadership and collaboration reflect the mission MDPI by which MDPI lives: accelerating Open Access and advancing Open Science.
Special thanks to Constanze Schelhorn (Head of Indexing), Ting Leng (JRS, Managing Editor, AI Sensors), Lin Li (Publisher, AI Sensors), Aimar Xiong (Publisher), and Christian Eberhard (Office Administrator, Basel), for organizing and hosting the meeting.
Coming Together for Science
Highlights from the MDPI UK Summit in London
I was pleased to be back in the UK in September, supporting our Manchester team in hosting their first MDPI Summit in London. This day-and-a-half private event brought together 25 Chief Editors and Associate Editors to exchange knowledge, learn about latest developments at MDPI, and engage in discussions on advancing Open Science. The program included MDPI and guest presentations, and Q&A sessions.
Why these summits matter
Our Summits provide a platform to:
- Share updates on the latest developments at MDPI, our editorial processes, research integrity practices, and indexing.
- Highlight collaborations with institutions and societies in the region.
- Offer external perspectives from guest speakers.
- Create space for Chief Editors to share their insights, ask questions, network, and help shape MDPI’s path forward.
These gatherings are more than updates: they improve our relationships with Chief Editors, who serve not only as leaders of their journals but also as ambassadors for MDPI within the research community. We often hear that this type of event is unique, something many other publishers do not provide. It shows that we care and are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators.
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MDPI and the UK: Key facts
- With over 80,000 publications, the UK is MDPI’s eighth-largest contributor.
- MDPI is the fourth-largest publisher in the UK, accounting for 11% of the country’s 89,526 Open Access publications in 2024.
- We collaborate with more than 4,000 active UK Editorial Board Members, 48% of whom have an H-index above 26. This includes 49 Editors-in-Chief and 74 Section Editors-in-Chief.
- MDPI maintains over 1,000 IOAP agreements worldwide, with 63 from the UK.
“We are willing to go the extra mile to recognize and engage our key collaborators”
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Agenda highlights:
- MDPI Overview, Open Access, and UK Collaboration – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
- Research Integrity and Publication Ethics – Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist, MDPI)
- Institutional Partnerships – Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager, MDPI)
- Promoting and Developing Your Journal – Prof. Fabio Tosti (Editor-in-Chief of NDT)
- Indexing to Impact – Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead, MDPI)
- Engaging our Academic Community – Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager, MDPI)
- Closing Remarks – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
MDPI colleagues Stefan Tochev (CEO), Jaime Anderson Anderson (UK Operations Manager), Dr. Michael O’Sullivan (Scientific Quality Advisor Lead), Becky Castellon (Institutional Partnerships Manager), Daisy Fenton (Research Integrity Specialist) at the MDPI UK 2025 Summit in London.
Thank you!
A special thank-you to the Manchester team and all colleagues behind the scenes who made this Summit a success. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. We look forward to building on this momentum with future Summits in Europe and beyond.
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI) and Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) participating in a press conference at the Italiane Senate in Rome to promote the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM)
MDPI at the Italian Senate: Promoting Environmental Medicine and Open Science
On 16 September, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead) and I had the honour of participating in a press conference at the Italian Senate in Rome, organized by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) to promote the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Environmental Medicine (ICEM) (20–21 November 2025).
This is an important event for MDPI, as we are the exclusive publishing partner for ICEM and have recently launched a new journal with SIMA, further building our presence both in Italy and within this important field of research.
Why this matters
- The promotion of ICEM has received extensive national media coverage (more than 15 mentions in major Italian outlets; see links below).
- The press conference brought together leading policymakers, academics, and Nobel Laureates to emphasize the impact of environmental exposures and epigenetics on human health.
- We were introduced to government ministries, university rectors, and influential stakeholders, which helps us bolster MDPI’s visibility and reputation in Italy.
Highlights
Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts joined the discussion, underlining the importance of environmental medicine in shaping future health outcomes. Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Tong Zhu (Peking University) will also speak at the November conference.
Institutional representatives included the Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, the Italian Undersecretary for Health, and senior officials from the World Health Organization.
In my closing remarks, I highlighted that:
“Over the past five years, about 65% of research published in Italy has been Open Access, compared to an average of 55% worldwide.”
Italian research ranked seventh among the top 20 countries in average citations during this period, reflecting its strong international influence. Not only is Italy producing a high volume of research; it is also producing research of outstanding quality.
MDPI’s role
This event was not only about promoting ICEM but also about showcasing MDPI’s commitment to Open Access and our ability to connect scientific publishing with leading academic, medical, and policy institutions.
As Giulia Stefenelli noted:
“This event was highly relevant for MDPI, as it not only showcased our strong commitment to OA but also emphasized our role in advancing important fields such as Environmental Medicine.”
Learn more
- Watch the full press conference (Radio Radicale)
- Giulia’s speech: 33:20 (in Italian)
- Stefan’s speech: 57:50 (in English)
- ICEM 2025 Conference Program
- Selected media coverage:
This moment at the Italian Senate shows how MDPI can connect publishing with science, policy, and society to help advance both Open Science and environmental health research on a global stage.
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In Rome with Sir Richard Roberts (photo left) and Prof. Giuseppe Novelli (EiC of MDPI journal COVID).
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 September 2025
Nobel Prize — The Science Behind the Prize
Nobel Prizes are the world’s most prestigious recognition of scientific breakthroughs, honoring discoveries that push the boundaries of knowledge and reshape entire fields. They bring into the public eye researchers whose work might otherwise remain known only within specialized circles.
For many, winning a Nobel Prize is a surreal experience. Laureates often describe a mix of joy, humility, reflection, and gratitude for the teams and collaborators whose contributions made the achievement possible. Behind every Nobel-winning idea lies years of careful, incremental work—a process that often goes unseen.
When Prof. Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics in October 1979, his wife Louise, a legal scholar, reminded him to keep doing the ordinary hard work of science, joking: “Now you have to write some unimportant papers.” True to form, Weinberg continued to push the boundaries of our understanding of the Universe, showing that curiosity and dedication extend far beyond the moment of recognition (Hofmann 2025: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/17/6/840).
Discover the science behind the world’s most transformative ideas
Over the years, dozens of Nobel laureates have published their work with MDPI, entrusting our open access journals to disseminate their findings to a global audience. As of 2024, more than 40 laureates have contributed over 115 articles across 35 journals, ranging from pioneering research on microRNAs and mRNA therapeutics, to fundamental insights in theoretical physics, and advances in structural biology.
We regularly spotlight how Nobel Prize–winning research intersects with the contributions of our authors. This not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates, but also underscores the role of open access in ensuring that transformative science reaches the widest possible audience.
On this page, we invite you to explore selected works by Nobel laureates within the MDPI portfolio, and to join us in celebrating the global impact of their ideas.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physiology or Medicine Roundtable
6 October 2025, 03:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
The Science Behind the Prize: 2025 Nobel Physics Roundtable
7 October 2025, 02:30 pm (CEST)
You are welcome to watch the recording here!
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks. MDPI sincerely invites you to explore research in a related field.
22 September 2025
Toxics | Issue Cover Papers in the First Half of 2025
We invite you to delve into the issue cover papers in the first half of 2025 in Toxics (ISSN: 2305-6304). These papers have been carefully selected for their exceptional quality and relevance, and represent the cutting edge of research in toxics. You are welcome to click to read the six highlighted papers.
1. “Clearing the Air on Pollutant Disruptions of the Gut–Brain Axis: Developmental Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene Disturbs Zebrafish Behavior and the Gut Microbiome in Adults and Subsequent Generations”
by Alexandra Alexiev, Ebony Stretch, Kristin D. Kasschau, Lindsay B. Wilson, Lisa Truong, Robyn L. Tanguay and Thomas J. Sharpton
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010010
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/10
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2. “Reconstructing Historical Land Use and Anthropogenic Inputs in Lake Victoria Basin: Insights from PAH and n-Alkane Trends”
by Camille Joy Enalbes, Dennis M. Njagi, Chen Luo, Daniel Olago and Joyanto Routh
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020130
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/2/130
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3. “Does Personality Modulate the Sensitivity to Contaminants? A Case Study with Cadmium and Caffeine”
by Niedja Santos, Sara Reis, Inês Domingues and Miguel Oliveira
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030147
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/3/147
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4. “Review of Health Effects of Automotive Brake and Tyre Wear Particles”
by Athanasia Christou, Barouch Giechaskiel, Ulf Olofsson and Theodoros Grigoratos
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040301
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/301
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5. “Pulmonary Toxicity of Long, Thick MWCNT and Very Long, Thin Carboxylated MWCNT Aerosols Following 28 Days Whole-Body Exposure”
by Chang Guo, Matthew D. Wright, Alison Buckley, Adam Laycock, Trine Berthing, Ulla Vogel, Frédéric Cosnier, Laurent Gaté, Martin O. Leonard and Rachel Smith
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050401
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/401
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6. “PCBs in Chinstrap Penguins from Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica)”
by Miguel Motas, Silvia Jerez-Rodríguez, José Manuel Veiga-del-Baño, Juan José Ramos, José Oliva, Miguel Ángel Cámara, Pedro Andreo-Martínez and Simonetta Corsolini
Toxics 2025, 13(6), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13060430
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/430
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19 September 2025
Toxics | Selected Papers in the “Air Pollution and Health” Section
As all of the articles published in Toxics (ISSN: 2305-6304) are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all articles. We invite you to read our selected papers in the Section “Air Pollution and Health”, which are listed below.
1. “Predicting of Daily PM2.5 Concentration Employing Wavelet Artificial Neural Networks Based on Meteorological Elements in Shanghai, China”
by Qingchun Guo, Zhenfang He and Zhaosheng Wang
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010051
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/1/51
2. “Causal Associations of PM2.5 and GDM: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study”
by Yi Yang, Xianli Ma, Weiyi Pang and Caina Jiang
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020171
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/2/171
3. “Microplastics in the Lung Tissues Associated with Blood Test Index”
by Shuguang Wang, Wenfeng Lu, Qingdong Cao, Changli Tu, Chenghui Zhong, Lan Qiu, Saifeng Li, Han Zhang, Meiqi Lan, Liqiu Qiu et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(9), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11090759
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/9/759
4. “Future Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to PM2.5 in Different Age Groups of Children in Northern Thailand”
by Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen and Nichapa Parasin
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030291
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/3/291
5. “Perspective on Particulate Matter: From Biomass Burning to the Health Crisis in Mainland Southeast Asia”
by Teerachai Amnuaylojaroen and Nichapa Parasin
Toxics 2023, 11(7), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11070553
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/7/553
6. “Aerosol Emissions from Heated Tobacco Products: A Review Focusing on Carbonyls, Analytical Methods, and Experimental Quality”
by Roberto A. Sussman, Federica Sipala, Rosalia Emma and Simone Ronsisvalle
Toxics 2023, 11(12), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11120947
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/947
7. “Occurrence, Sources, and Health Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Road Environments from Harbin, a Megacity of China”
by Jin-Nong Li, Ye Zhang, Jian-Xin Wang, Hang Xiao, Anatoly Nikolaev, Yi-Fan Li, Zi-Feng Zhang and Zhong-Hua Tang
Toxics 2023, 11(8), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11080695
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/8/695
8. “Spatial Distribution, Sources, Air–Soil Exchange, and Health Risks of Parent PAHs and Derivative-Alkylated PAHs in Different Functional Areas of an Oilfield Area in the Yellow River Delta, North China”
by Xiongfei Zhang, Anan Qi, Pengcheng Wang, Qi Huang, Tong Zhao, Caiqing Yan, Lingxiao Yang and Wenxing Wang
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060540
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/6/540
9. “Significance of Volatile Organic Compounds to Secondary Pollution Formation and Health Risks Observed during a Summer Campaign in an Industrial Urban Area”
by Li Cao, Qihui Men, Zihao Zhang, Hao Yue, Shijie Cui, Xiangpeng Huang, Yunjiang Zhang, Junfeng Wang, Mindong Chen and Haiwei Li
Toxics 2024, 12(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12010034
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/1/34
10. “Effects of Ambient O3 on Respiratory Mortality, Especially the Combined Effects of PM2.5 and O3”
by Ye Deng, Junlong Wang, Li Sun, Yue Wang, Jiaoyang Chen, Zhixin Zhao, Tianyun Wang, Yuting Xiang, Yuting Wang, Jiamei Chen et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(11), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11110892
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/11/892
11. “Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Dust in Vilnius Schools: Source Identification, Pollution Levels, and Potential Health Risks for Children”
by Murat Huseyin Unsal, Gytautas Ignatavičius, Arunas Valiulis, Nina Prokopciuk, Roberta Valskienė and Vaidotas Valskys
Toxics 2024, 12(3), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12030224
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/3/224
12. “The Cytotoxic Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Different Sources at the Air–Liquid Interface Exposure on A549 Cells”
by Zhansheng Yan, Pengxiang Ge, Zhenyu Lu, Xiaoming Liu, Maoyu Cao, Wankang Chen and Mindong Chen
Toxics 2024, 12(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12010021
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/1/21
13. “The Measurement of Atmospheric Black Carbon: A Review”
by Zhiqing Zhang, Yuan Cheng, Linlin Liang and Jiumeng Liu
Toxics 2023, 11(12), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11120975
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/975
14. “Real-Time Exposure to 3D-Printing Emissions Elicits Metabolic and Pro-Inflammatory Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells”
by Xiaojia He, Lillie Marie Barnett, Jennifer Jeon, Qian Zhang, Saeed Alqahtani, Marilyn Black, Jonathan Shannahan and Christa Wright
Toxics 2024, 12(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12010067
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/1/67
15. “Ambient Air Pollution and Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis”
by Cuiyao Xie, Xi Xia, Kai Wang, Jie Yan, Lijun Bai, Liqiong Guo, Xiaoxue Li and Shaowei Wu
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020139
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/2/139
17 September 2025
Meet Us at the IUTOX 17th International Congress of Toxicology, 15–18 October 2025, Beijing, China
9 September 2025
Toxics | Selected Papers Published in the “Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology” Section
As all of the articles published in Toxics (ISSN: 2305-6304) are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all articles. We invite you to read our selected papers in the Section “Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology”, which are listed below.
1. “Pesticides vs. Biopesticides: From Pest Management to Toxicity and Impacts on the Environment and Human Health”
by Gabriel Mihăiță Daraban, Raluca-Maria Hlihor and Daniela Suteu
Toxics 2023, 11(12), 983; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11120983
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/983
2. “Screening of Toxic Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides with a Focus on Acetamiprid: A Review”
by Lucia Zuščíková, Denis Bažány, Hana Greifová, Nikola Knížatová, Anton Kováčik, Norbert Lukáč and Tomáš Jambor
Toxics 2023, 11(7), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11070598
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/7/598
3. “Pesticide-Induced Inflammation at a Glance”
by Fotis Assimakopoulos, Costas Vassilakis, Dionisis Margaris, Konstantinos Kotis and Dimitris Spiliotopoulos
Toxics 2023, 11(11), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11110896
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/11/896
4. “Triazine Herbicide and NPK Fertilizer Exposure: Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Rare Earth Elements, Effects on Cuticle Melanization, and Immunocompetence in the Model Species Tenebrio molitor”
by Attilio Naccarato, Maria Luigia Vommaro, Domenico Amico, Francesca Sprovieri, Nicola Pirrone, Antonio Tagarelli, and Anita Giglio
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060499
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/6/499
5. “Sublethal Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on the Development, Body Weight and Economic Characteristics of Silkworm”
by Qiqi Chen, Shoumin Sun, Xiu Yang, Haohao Yan, Kaiyun Wang, Xiucheng Ba and Hongyan Wang
Toxics 2023, 11(5), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11050402
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/5/402
6. “Aflatoxin-B1-Exposure-Induced Hepatic Injury Could Be Alleviated by Polydatin through Reducing Oxidative Stress, Inhibiting Inflammation and Improving Mitophagy”
by Kang Cheng, Jingyi Niu, Xiaotong Zheng, Yining Qiao, Jinyan Zhang, Rui Guo, Guorun Dong, Zhihua Song, Jin Huang, Jinrong Wang et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040309
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/309
7. “Food Safety and Health Concerns of Synthetic Food Colors: An Update”
by Petra Amchova, Filip Siska and Jana Ruda-Kucerova
Toxics 2024, 12(7), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070466
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/7/466
8. “Antibiotic Residues in UK Foods: Exploring the Exposure Pathways and Associated Health Risks”
by Jegak Seo, Frank Kloprogge, Andrew M. Smith, Kersti Karu and Lena Ciric
Toxics 2024, 12(3), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12030174
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/3/174
9. “Association between Prenatal Dietary Toxicants and Infant Neurodevelopment: The Role of Fish”
by Xiruo Kou, Nerea Becerra-Tomás, Josefa Canals, Monica Bulló and Victoria Arija
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050338
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/5/338
10. “Biomonitoring-Based Risk Assessment of Pyrethroid Exposure in the U.S. Population: Application of High-Throughput and Physiologically Based Kinetic Models”
by Nan-Hung Hsieh and Eric S. C. Kwok
Toxics 2025, 13(3), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13030216
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/3/216
3 September 2025
Join Us at the MDPI at the University of Toronto Career Fair, 23 September 2025, Toronto, ON, Canada
2 September 2025
Interview with Dr. Qingyang Liu—Winner of Toxics Outstanding Reviewer Award
Dr. Qingyang Liu is a dedicated researcher from China, specializing in environmental chemistry and air quality. He earned his PhD in environmental science from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2014, following master’s and bachelor’s degrees in environmental sciences and chemistry from Shandong University, respectively. Dr. Liu furthered his academic training as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2016 to 2017. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Nanjing Forestry University, where he continues to lead innovative research on air pollution sources, health impacts, and sustainable policy solutions. His work integrates multidisciplinary approaches, including field sampling, receptor modeling, and machine learning, to address pressing issues such as aerosol health effects, climate interactions, and ecosystem responses to air pollution. Dr. Liu has made noteworthy contributions to understanding the oxidative potential of PM₂.₅ and its inflammatory impacts, as well as the role of dust in long-range transport. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including being named among the World’s Top 2% of Scientists in 2023, and has served as a trusted reviewer for several leading journals. Committed to mentorship and collaboration, he has supervised more than 10 students.
We want to congratulate Dr. Qingyang Liu on winning the Toxics 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award.
The following is an interview with Dr. Qingyang Liu:
1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?
I am currently an Associate Professor at Nanjing Forestry University, where I have been engaged in academic research and teaching since 2015. My work focuses primarily on environmental chemistry and air quality, with an emphasis on understanding the sources, transformation, and health impacts of air pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Over the years, my research has sought to bridge the gap between atmospheric science and public health, aiming to translate scientific findings into actionable policies. For instance, I have led pioneering studies that link PM₂.₅ chemical composition and source contributions to oxidative potential and inflammatory responses in lung cells—some of the first such work conducted in a developing country. These findings have helped identify key pollution sources, such as coal combustion and biomass burning, and their direct health effects, providing a scientific basis for health-oriented air quality management. Another significant aspect of my research involves the role of atmospheric dust in long-range transport, which has implications for both environmental quality and ecosystem health. By using advanced receptor modeling and isotopic tracing, my colleagues and I have contributed to a better understanding of dust origins and their influence on regional air quality. I have also been recognized as a World’s Top 2% Scientist (Career-long Impact 2023) and have received multiple awards for my contributions to the field. Beyond research, I have supervised over ten graduate and undergraduate students. I also actively serve on the editorial boards of some international journals and have reviewed nearly 500 manuscripts, supporting the scholarly community in advancing environmental science. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself.
2. What’s the focus of your current research, and why did you choose this research field?
My current research is focused on air pollution, specifically on understanding the sources, chemical composition, and health impacts of particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), as well as the oxidative potential (OP) and inflammatory responses associated with different pollution sources. I also study the role of dust in nitrogen cycling and long-range transport and engage in policy-relevant research to bridge air quality management with climate mitigation strategies.
I chose this research field because air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges globally, especially in rapidly developing regions like China. Understanding the sources and health mechanisms of air pollutants enables the design of targeted and effective policies that not only improve air quality but also support climate goals and protect vulnerable ecosystems. My work aims to translate scientific insights into real-world solutions, contributing to sustainable development and healthier communities.
3. Could you please share with us your experience as a reviewer for Toxics?
Of course. It has been a true pleasure and a deeply rewarding aspect of my academic career to serve as a reviewer for Toxics. This role beautifully aligns with my research focus on atmospheric pollutants and their health impacts, allowing me to engage with cutting-edge science on topics from PM2.5-bound chemicals to emerging contaminants like microplastics. The process is a collaborative effort to uphold scientific integrity, where I meticulously assess each manuscript's methodological rigor, novelty, and the solidity of its conclusions. My goal is always to provide constructive and respectful feedback that helps authors strengthen their work. Beyond evaluating submissions, this responsibility is a profound learning experience that has sharpened my own critical thinking and writing, offering invaluable insight into the publishing process. Ultimately, it is a privilege to contribute to the scientific community in this way, helping to maintain the journal's high standards and advance the dissemination of robust, reliable research in our field.
4. Which qualities do you think reviewers need?
In my view, an effective peer reviewer serves a role analogous to that of an architect for scientific knowledge, requiring a discerning perspective, a robust methodological toolkit, and a constructive approach to fortifying research quality. The foundation of this process is objectivity, which necessitates setting aside personal inclinations to evaluate a manuscript solely on its scientific rigor, thereby upholding the fairness and credibility of scholarly discourse. However, astute judgment alone is insufficient; meticulous attention to detail is equally critical. This involves a thorough examination of methodological soundness, data validity, linguistic clarity, and adherence to technical guidelines, including formatting and citation conventions. Such diligence ensures that published findings are not only compelling but also replicable and trustworthy.
Equally important is the capacity for critical thinking, which enables the reviewer to acknowledge strengths while identifying limitations in a balanced manner. This entails posing incisive questions, recognizing conceptual or empirical gaps, and proposing feasible refinements. These analytical contributions must be coupled with proficient communication skills, whereby feedback is delivered clearly, respectfully, and constructively, fostering a supportive rather than adversarial dialogue.
Furthermore, efficient time management is essential to maintain the timeliness of the publication process, and reviewers are expected to honor deadlines and communicate proactively regarding any delays. Underlying all these competencies is a firm command of subject matter expertise, which permits a nuanced understanding of the research context, from broad theoretical implications to specific technical details.
Integral to the reviewer’s role are also confidentiality and ethical integrity, which require treating unpublished work with discretion and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. These principles are vital in preserving the trust and collaborative spirit of the academic community.
2 September 2025
Meet Us at the 2025 Joint International Conference of Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements and the International Conference of Heavy Metals, 22–26 September 2025, Busan, Republic of Korea
1 September 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #26 - CUJS, Head of Ethics, Open Peer Review, AIS 2025, Reviewer Recognition
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
Society of China University Journals (CUJS) visit to MDPI Basel
In August, we had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Society of China University Journals (CUJS) to our Basel headquarters. The visit was part of CUJS’s broader European tour, which included meetings with several major publishing organizations.
Purpose of the visit
The delegation’s stop in Basel involved an introductory meeting and knowledge-sharing with a view to identifying potential collaboration opportunities with MDPI. The CUJS team shared an overview of the Chinese scientific publishing landscape, including recent policy developments, and gave us insights into the journals and services they operate across China’s academic institutions.
MDPI presentations
We used the opportunity to introduce CUJS to MDPI’s mission, structure, and recent achievements. I presented on the latest developments at MDPI and our role in supporting global open access, addressing many follow-up questions from the delegation. Warm thanks are due to the following colleagues for their contributions to the session:
- Liliane Auwerter (Conference Organizer, Scientific Officer and Sustainability Specialist) shared an overview of our editorial process, including the quality indicators we use to track peer-review performance.
- Renato Merki (Publication Ethics Assistant) presented on behalf of our Research Integrity and Ethics team, emphasizing our commitment to responsible publishing.
- Silvano Bonfatti (Product Manager) introduced the JAMS platform, highlighting how it supports efficient journal management for editors and publishers alike.
- Aimar Xiong (Publisher, Section Managing Editor) and Giuliano Braccini (Office Manager) facilitated the meeting, offering clarity in response to specific questions, building the relationship during and beyond the meeting itself.
“Building relationships with organizations such as CUJS allows us to increase our visibility and reputation”
Why is this important?
China is one of the world’s largest producers of scientific research, with its universities and research institutes playing a key role in global scholarly publishing. Building strong relationships with influential organizations such as CUJS allows us to increase our visibility and reputation vis-à-vis the Chinese academic community, share best practices, learn from differing publishing models, and explore collaborations that have the potential to enhance the quality, reach, and diversity of our journals.
Looking ahead
It was a productive and friendly exchange that reflected our shared commitment to advancing scholarly communication and improving journal publishing practices. We value these visits, which allow us to create collaborations with stakeholders in the global academic community.
Our Basel office is a hub for hosting international delegations, partners, and collaborators. We look forward to creating more global connections that support our mission.
Impactful Research
Appointment of Dr. Tim Tait-Jamieson as Head of Publication Ethics
As part of our ongoing commitment to research integrity and publishing excellence, I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Dr. Tim Tait-Jamieson as Head of Publication Ethics.
In this role, Tim will lead the development of our ethics strategy and oversee the continued growth of the Publication Ethics Department, which is based across our offices in Basel, Manchester, Belgrade/Novi Sad, and Cluj. Guided by the principles of effective prevention and efficient resolution, the department plays an essential role in ensuring the highest standards of integrity throughout our editorial processes.
Department focus
Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Publication Ethics Department focuses on refining our policies, aligning our operations with international best practices, and addressing complex cases with fairness and transparency. This work is critical in supporting our editors, reviewers, and authors, reinforcing MDPI’s contribution to the global dialogue on research integrity.
“Research integrity is something to which we all contribute through our daily work at MDPI”
About Tim
Tim joined MDPI in 2021 and has held several roles within the Publication Ethics Department, most recently serving as Research Integrity Lead. Based in our Basel office, he brings a strong academic background, with a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and a proven track record of leadership in research integrity.
Research integrity is something to which we all contribute through our daily work at MDPI. I look forward to Tim’s leadership as we continue investing in the people, processes, and partnerships that uphold the trust and credibility of scholarly publishing.
Read more:
Inside MDPI
How and why MDPI offers Open Peer Review
At MDPI, we are committed to advancing openness and transparency in scholarly publishing. One area where we’ve taken a leadership role is peer review. Since 2014, MDPI has offered authors the option of open peer review, giving them the opportunity to publish reviewer comments alongside their papers. Each year, more authors are choosing this path, helping to build trust in the editorial process and provide valuable context for the research we publish.
Jack McKenna (Senior Content Specialist, MDPI) recently wrote an informative piece looking at the impact and importance of open peer review at MDPI. He highlights how this approach not only benefits readers but also gives well-deserved recognition to our reviewers, who generously dedicate their time and expertise to the academic community.
I encourage you to read this blogpost to see how MDPI is helping set standards for transparency in scholarly publishing.
Coming Together for Science
Recap of MDPI’s AIS 2025 Conference in Kuala Lumpur
Entering the month of August, we held The 2nd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2025) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“AIS is quickly becoming a premier event in the field”
The second edition of AIS brought together 335 attendees from across Asia and beyond, including participants from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. The event, chaired by Prof. Dr. Toshihiro Itoh (University of Tokyo), Prof. Dr. Sang-Woo Kim (Yonsei University), and Prof. Dr. Chengkuo Lee (National University of Singapore), continues to grow in reputation and has become an important platform for researchers and students to present their work, exchange ideas, and build international collaborations.
AIS is quickly becoming a premier event in the field, with participants highlighting its quality of service, its expanding academic network, and the value it delivers in the context of tightening research budgets in the region.
It was also excellent to see our new MDPI journal AI Sensors, which originated from a conference topic, host a successful launch party at the event.
Highlights from participant feedback:
- Southeast University (China) sent a student delegation and considers AIS a regular fixture for Ph.D. students in need of international conference experience.
- CAS Aerospace Information Research Institute sent a 10-member delegation and plans to further promote AIS internally.
- Japanese researchers regard AIS as a must-attend event, placing it on a par with IEEE conferences and citing the benefits of networking and exchange.
- Korean academics praised the organization and noted improved perceptions of MDPI among their institutions, viewing AIS as a strategic opportunity to deepen engagement in the region.
Award winners
We recognized the recipients of the Best Presentation, Best Scientist, Best Poster, and Best Student Paper awards, whose contributions set a standard for academic excellence. The full award announcement is available here.
Looking ahead
The 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers will be held from 5 to10 August 2026 in Jeju, Korea. The General Chairs will be Prof. Inkyu Park (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Prof. Zhou Li (Tsinghua University), Prof. Xinge Yu (City University of Hong Kong), and Prof. Chengkuo Lee (National University of Singapore). We look forward to bringing together innovators, researchers and experts who are shaping the future at the intersection of sensors, sensing technology, transducers and artificial intelligence.
Thank you
Our conference team managed this event with great agility and professionalism and are already planning improvements to make the conference even more accessible. Special thanks to the National University of Singapore for their support, and to our entire conference team and collaborators for their dedication.
AIS is gaining momentum, and we look forward to supporting its role as a bridge between MDPI and the global academic community.
“Our conference team managed this event with great agility and professionalism”
Closing Thoughts
Recognizing our outstanding reviewers
As we close this edition of the newsletter, I would like to spotlight MDPI’s 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Awards, which showcase a group of winners whose contributions often go unseen but are essential to the integrity of scholarly publishing: our reviewers.
In 2024, more than 215,000 reviewers dedicated their time and expertise to MDPI journals. From this community, we are proud to recognize 356 recipients of the Outstanding Reviewer Awards, who went above and beyond by providing timely, thorough and constructive feedback.
These awards are not only a token of our appreciation but also a reflection of the values we stand for: rigor, fairness and collaboration in advancing science.
To explore the full list of awardees across disciplines, from life sciences to the humanities, please visit the following pages:
- Biology and Life Sciences
- Business and Economics
- Chemistry and Materials Science
- Computer Science and Mathematics
- Engineering
- Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Medicine and Pharmacology
- Physical Sciences
- Public Health and Healthcare
- Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
About MDPI Awards
To recognize the academic community, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. Serving as a source of recognition and inspiration, these awards help increase the influence of scholars who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their respective fields.
To explore more opening Outstanding Reviewer Awards, please click here.
To all our reviewers: thank you for being the foundation of trust that makes open access publishing possible!
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
