Announcements
19 October 2023
Open Access Week 2023 – the Global Drive to Open Continues
2 October 2023
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #4 - MDPI Presence in China
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
Open Access in China
It is Saturday, 23 September, and I have just returned from an unforgettable 12-day trip to China, visiting our main offices in Beijing and Wuhan. In the wake of a packed and very enjoyable agenda of internal and external meetings, I would like to use this edition of the CEO Letter to showcase how MDPI supports the scholarly community in China.
Coincidentally, Jack McKenna, Communications Associate from MDPI’s corporate content team, has just released a blog article discussing China’s open access (OA) policy. It is a timely read, providing a concise overview of the development of the OA movement in China and reflecting on its future. I shall draw some content from Jack’s piece and use this edition of the CEO Letter to highlight the various ways in which MDPI is involved in this market. And it would be remiss of me not to include some pictures and highlights from my travels!
Open Access Policy in China
As per Jack’s post, in 2020, China became the world’s leading producer of research articles. Today, China is experiencing a “substantial growth rate in OA [Open Access] publication”. This growth is supported by the State’s commitment to research & development and its policy “requiring the promotion of open science”.
Over the past two decades, there have been gradual developments in China’s OA framework, with repositories and platforms being developed in a consistent manner. Currently, key institutions across China – including the National Science Library, the National Science and Technology Library, and the Natural Science Foundation of China – support OA. The State aims to establish consistent policies across government agencies – a framework for a more encompassing embrace of OA across institutions.
In China, the number of subscription-only articles decreased by nearly 30% over the 10-year period of 2011–2021, while gold OA increased by 22%. Between 2017 and 2020 alone, China published 800,921 academic papers in an OA format.
In 2023, as the leading publisher of academic research, China is pursuing “self-reliance”. Therefore, the State will be establishing consistent policies across government agencies, including those related to OA. Additionally, it will want to ensure that Chinese people can access the research that is supported by Chinese funding and produced by Chinese academics. For this reason, “Open Access is a matter of priority in China”.
MDPI Offices in China
While the history of MDPI begins in Basel, Switzerland, the story of MDPI’s founder is very much rooted in China. Dr. Shu-kun Lin, Founder and President of MDPI, graduated with a BSc from Wuhan University in 1982. He also studied physical chemistry at the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1982–1986; MSc in 1985), and at the University of Louisville, USA (1987–1989). Dr. Lin completed his doctorate in organic chemistry at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zürich) in 1992.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at MDPI’s Wuhan office.
In 2002, MDPI’s Basel headquarters moved to Matthäusstrasse 11, 4052 Basel, and Dr. Lin opened an editorial office in Qingdao, China, which launched the journal Marine Drugs in the following year. Below is a list of MDPI’s current offices in China and their respective dates of inauguration:
- 2008: Beijing (Tongzhou, Haidian)
- 2013: Wuhan (Hankou, Guanggu)
- 2019: Tianjin
- 2021: Dalian
- 2021: Nanjing
Our Strength is in Our People
With over 6,000 MDPI staff, across 20 offices in 11 countries, MDPI is able to offer authors responsive and efficient round-the-clock support, enabling a rapid publication process.
In my experience, stakeholders are genuinely surprised when they realize the extent of our global operations. My response is to reiterate that our people are our strength. This is why we have fast and efficient processes and top-notch responsiveness. Our global presence ensures that your manuscript is constantly attended to, rather than sitting on someone’s desk. We prioritize our authors’ needs and act quickly to move things through the various stages of publication. MDPI is built on speed, convenience, and competence, which I believe are core pillars for success in any industry. We continually strive to improve our systems and processes on the basis of these core strengths. We literally have over 6,000 staff worldwide dedicated to serving your needs. It’s not magic: it’s people; it’s real.
Impactful Research
MDPI Awards
To support the academic community, and especially young researchers, and also to enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals offer various awards in specific fields. We serve the scientific community by funding research to facilitate the development of sustainable global solutions through our annual World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Leader Award.
In 2022, MDPI made awards totalling over US$1 million in recognition and support of researchers worldwide.
Across our journal catalogue, we have granted over 2,000 awards to recognize and support researchers from all disciplines. Since 2016, these awards have served as a source of recognition, acknowledging the impact of research by heightening the influence of talented individuals. The award types mainly include the Young Investigator Award, the Best PhD Thesis Award, the Best Paper Award, and the Outstanding Reviewer Award.
To learn more about MDPI Awards and to find out which are currently available, please click here.
MDPI Awards to Scholars from China
Since 2021, there have been 23 Best Paper Awards granted to authors affiliated with Chinese institutions, identifying their papers as having high-quality scientific impact. A total of 45 Chinese scholars have received awards such as the Young Investigator Award, the Best PhD Thesis Award, the Outstanding Reviewer Award, and the Tu Youyou Award, among others. Prizes for these awards include MDPI grants for paid publications, totalling over CHF 70,000 for scholars affiliated with Chinese institutions.
MDPI’s Tu Youyou Award
Prof. Tu Youyou (left), Dr. Shu-Kun Lin (President, MDPI).
In 2015, Professor Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria.” In order to commemorate Professor Tu’s contributions to human health and to promote the passion and spirit conveyed by her experiences, MDPI in 2016 established the ‘Tu Youyou Award’, which runs biennially to recognize outstanding scholars dedicated to the research of natural products and medicinal chemistry.
The 2022 Tu Youyou Award was granted to Prof. Dr. Xiaoguang Lei of Peking University. Click here to access the interview with the winner.
2015 Nobel Prize for Medicine Awarded to Professor Youyou Tu
Professor Tu’s work was celebrated in a Special Issue from Molecules on the occasion of her 80th birthday. The Special Issue: 'Artemisinin (Qinghaosu): Commemorative Issue in Honor of Professor Youyou Tu on the Occasion of her 80th Anniversary” was created five years before she won the Nobel Prize, highlighting the visibility MDPI provides researchers and their work.
Highly Cited Articles by Chinese Scholars Published in MDPI
Click here to access the most cited MDPI papers published by scholars affiliated with Chinese institutions. This list presents the most influential research from the more than 287,000 MDPI papers published by Chinese scholars. With over 9 million total citations, I encourage you to maximize your visibility and impact by publishing with MDPI, the number one most cited open access publisher.
Read more:
- Tu Youyou Award
- World Sustainability Awards
- Available Awards
Inside MDPI
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) with the Beijing Marketing team.
Marketing Department in China
During my visit to our offices in Beijing and Wuhan, I had the opportunity to meet with, and to present to, our local marketing teams. These teams are responsible for various journal-related and corporate promotional activities, including newsletters, conferences, seminars, author training, journal awards, content creation, digital marketing, and social media.
I was pleased by the ambition and curiosity of our marketing colleagues. They showed a strong desire to collaborate and acquire knowledge and tactics to effectively market and promote MDPI-journal-related activities. I presented some of the principles and objectives that we apply in the Corporate Marketing and Communications department, and used the opportunity to strengthen our collaborative communications across offices.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) with the Wuhan Marketing team.
Coming Together for Science
Collaborations, Scholarships and Meetings
MDPI maintains partnerships with nearly 190 learned societies and over 800 institutions and consortia, helping to facilitate the transition to OA publishing. Our commitment to working with institutions is evident in China, where we have successfully established over 35 Institutional Open Access Programs (IOAP) with esteemed institutions such as the Tsinghua University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Our institutional partnerships, waiver programs, and article processing cost discounts create diverse pathways to OA publishing for researchers worldwide.
Scholarships in China
Since 2021, several MDPI journals (Sensors, Photonics, Coatings, Materials, Energies, and Journal of Fungi) have funded full scholarships for four Master’s and five Ph.D. projects in China. These scholarships align with Tianjin University, Wuhan University of Technology, Central South University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the China University of Petroleum (Beijing).
Meeting with the Society of Chinese University Journals (CUJS)
Prof. Tieming Zhang (President of CUJS, centre) and MDPI colleagues at CUJS office.
I am pleased to have participated in some highly productive meetings during my visit to China, including one with the Society of Chinese University Journals (CUJS). The meeting involved Prof. Tieming Zhang (President of CUJS), Assoc. Prof. Xin Zhang (Vice President and Secretary General), and Dr. Fei Gao (Executive Member of CUJS). Alongside my colleagues Dr. Guoshi Liu, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, and Anita Sun, I represented MDPI and held an open discussion to address any questions regarding OA and MDPI.
We discussed several methods for collaboration, including a workshop on the future of peer review, MDPI sponsoring a funding grant for early-career researchers, and transitioning journals from diamond to gold OA. I am thankful for the opportunity to have met our colleagues at CUJS in person and feel very confident about our future collaborations in support of OA publishing in China.
MDPI hosts free academic seminars, author training sessions, and academic conferences as part of its commitment to enrich and support the scholarly community. CUJS often stages academic events (e.g., conferences, editor training, and editor competitions), and I believe there are great opportunities for CUJS and MDPI to collaborate accordingly.
Meeting with National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NSLC)
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Chair of Scientific Officers, MDPI), Anita Sun (PR Manager, MDPI) and Dr. Guoshi Liu (Managing Director, MDPI) at the National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
We also visited the NSLC Director, Xiwen Liu, and colleagues Ying Jin, Zhesi Shen, and Sichao Tong. Following our introductions, we gave a presentation on the history and editorial process at MDPI, discussing specific details related to MDPI’s business and data. We highlighted the status of our IOAP collaborations in China and the makeup of our author base, specifically in China, and drew attention to the fact that MDPI has published research by authors from every country in the world. We then discussed the design indicators, calculation methods and implementation purposes of the ‘Early Warning Journal List’ and how we can have open communication to provide any data regarding MDPI journals. I am pleased to report that we reached a consensus on future communications, and am grateful to NSLC for hosting us in their offices.
In-person meetings with stakeholders provide an invaluable opportunity to communicate what MDPI is about and the various ways in which we serve the scholarly community. While digital marketing and online communication are essential, they are no replacement for the understanding and trust that come about through in-person interactions.
The Numbers
As at September 2023, China holds the largest position in MDPI’s global market, ranking as the largest contributor to the total number of papers published by MDPI.
At this point in time, there were more than 847,000 China mainland scholars who have published with MDPI, 51 of whom are Section-Editors-in-Chief (SEiC) of MDPI journals, with seven serving as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) for journals such as Air, Big Data and Cognitive Computing, Blockchains, Future, Nanoenergy Advances, and Targets.
Our growth and presence in China are a true testament to the service we provide to the scholarly community, and to the relationships we foster through collaborative activities. We look forward to continuing to support the growth of the scholarly community in China, providing a valuable and trusted experience with MDPI.
Closing Thoughts
Final Reflections on our MDPI Offices in Beijing and Wuhan
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Constanze Schelhorn (Indexing Manager, MDPI), Jiale Shang (Admin, Tongzhou, MDPI) at Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing.
I spent approximately two weeks visiting some of our offices in China, and the first word that comes to mind when describing my experience is ‘hospitality.’ My colleagues and I were met with enthusiasm and delight at the airport by the Tongzhou Admin team (thank you, Jiale Shang, and thank you, Eric Wang, for keeping us organized on this trip!) and were taken care of with great attention. From hotels to transportation, dinners, and meetings, our stay was catered for perfectly.
Perhaps this is where MDPI’s focus on customers and service originates. At our core, we are a service company that provides a publishing platform for its authors. It’s therefore no surprise that authors consistently rate their experience with MDPI very highly.
95% of submitting authors rate their overall experience with the MDPI publication process as Excellent or Good (Springer Nature report 90%).
91% of submitting authors rate their overall experience with the MDPI peer review process as Excellent or Good.
Speed/Efficiency and Editorial Relationship are two key reasons underlying this high satisfaction score. ‘Editorial Relationship’ can be further explored, but in the past month, the most commonly noted aspects were the professionalism, kindness, availability, communicativeness, and personalized assistance provided by our editorial staff throughout the process. These attributes are at the core of our work across all our offices and continents.
Hospitality and Service
Just as our Chinese colleagues strove to keep us engaged by showing us the city sights (thank you, Thea Pan, and Jason Wu from the Wuhan Marketing team!) and sharing a variety of wonderful meals, our editorial staff are committed to serving our authors throughout their publishing journey. Our aim is to place the author at the centre of everything we do, eager to welcome our ‘guests’ and provide them with a pleasant publishing experience.
I asked my colleague Francis Wu (Senior Publisher, Wuhan office) where this hospitality originates. He responded that it is part of Chinese culture. I reflected long and deep on this answer. China is a vast country, and when visitors arrive, hosts want to ensure they feel welcomed and taken care of in order to maximize their time and visit. I can’t think of a better analogy for how I would want our authors to feel when they visit MDPI for their publishing needs. A company culture that prioritizes service, something that goes beyond products and productivity, and focuses on the overall experience. Over 6,000 people, across all MDPI offices, are ready, willing and able to go the extra mile for their colleagues and their customers. This is something I am truly proud of.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
6 September 2023
Recap of Awards Granted to Scholars in 2022
30 August 2023
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #3 - Sustainability and Co-opetition
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
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As a pioneer in academic open access publishing since 1996, MDPI has always been dedicated to facilitating scientific exchange across all disciplines. Our approach to open science is guided by principles such as Open Access (OA), Timeliness and Efficiency, Simplicity, High-Quality Service, Flexibility, and a commitment to Sustainability. This commitment involves preserving published papers for the long term and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.
In this edition of the CEO Letter, I will delve into MDPI’s various sustainability initiatives. As a leader in OA publishing, we are able to provide the public with a significant amount of environment-related content at no cost.
MDPI and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In 2020, the SDG Publishers Compact was launched to accelerate implementation of the SDGs by promoting content that informs, develops, and inspires action. MDPI joined this initiative in 2021 and subsequently launched the MDPI SDG Hub in 2022, offering free access to recent research within the scope of each of the 17 SDGs. We also support authors from underrepresented communities by waiving publication charges for selected SDG-related papers. Detailed sustainability practices and supported publications are available in the report under each Goal page.
“More than 80% of MDPI articles and reviews published in 2022 relate to the Sustainable Development Goals.” [source: InCites, Accessed on 21.08.2023]
As at August 2023, MDPI boasts 14 journals dedicated to sustainability-related topics. Our first journal in this area, Sustainability, has published over 29,000 articles on the SDGs, accumulating over 240,000 citations (source: InCites, as at 1 January 2023). These journals serve as vital platforms for researchers to share insights and address environmental challenges. In addition:
MDPI journals specializing in sustainability-related topics:
- 2009: Sustainability
- 2012: Resources
- 2013: Climate
- 2014: Environments
- 2016: Recycling
- 2019: Clean Technologies
- 2020: Sustainable Chemistry
- 2021: Wind, Biomass, Conservation, Pollutants, Solar
- 2022: Waste, Microplastics
Read more:
Impactful Research
Highly Cited Articles in Sustainability
In 2022, content published in Sustainability and indexed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) received nearly 190,000 citations. This highlights the fact that Sustainability publishes highly cited research articles related to environmental sciences and SDG-related topics such as climate action.
We are pleased to share that Sustainability received a 2022 CiteScore of 5.8, marking a 16% increase from the 2021 metric. Specifically, the CiteScore positions Sustainability as follows: Q1 (27 out of 163) in the “Environmental Science (miscellaneous)” category, and Q1 (101 out of 779) in the “Geography Planning and Development” category. For additional journal statistics, please visit here.
“Sustainability received a 2022 CiteScore of 5.8”
While MDPI journals such as Climate and Atmosphere have a distinct focus on atmosphere pollution and its impact on climate processes, journals like Sustainability, Environments, Water, Remote Sensing, and IJERPH publish content related to climate change. These journals have published over 32,300 articles related to SDG 13: Climate Action.
Highly Cited Papers in Sustainability
Below are several highly cited papers published in Sustainability over the past three years. Citation metrics are current as at 15 August 2023.
1. “A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?”Authors: Jerry L. Holechek, Hatim M. E. Geli, Mohammed N. Sawalhah, and Raul Valdez
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4792; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792
Citations: Crossref (97), Scopus (91), Web of Science (82), Google Scholar (125)
This paper addresses one of the most significant challenges of climate change – achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The meta-analysis suggests that while difficult, this transition is possible through the concerted application of pathways, lifestyle changes, and global cooperation.
2. “Anxiety and the Ecological Crisis: An Analysis of Eco-Anxiety and Climate Anxiety”Author: Panu Pihkala
Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197836
Citations: Crossref (144), Scopus (121), Web of Science (159), Google Scholar (382)
This paper has received substantial media attention, including coverage by The Guardian, BBC, Vice, and CNBC. An interview with Dr. Panu Pihkala, a leading interdisciplinary researcher on the topic, can be found on MDPI’s podcast: Insight Faster, Episode 1.
3. “Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Its Mitigation Strategies: A Review”Authors: Gurdeep Singh Malhi, Manpreet Kaur, and Prashant Kaushik
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031318
Citations: Crossref (207), Scopus (221), Web of Science (186), Google Scholar (355)
This paper reviews literature on climate change, addressing its causes, future projections, impact on agriculture, including plant physiology, growth, productivity, pest infestation, and the economic implications of mitigation strategies.
4. “Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions”Authors: Rakesh Kumar, Anurag Verma, Arkajyoti Shome, Rama Sinha, Srishti Sinha, Prakash Kumar Jha, Ritesh Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Shubham, Shreyas Das, Prabhakar Sharma, and P. V. Vara Prasad
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9963; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179963
Citations: Crossref (134), Scopus (136), Web of Science (113), Google Scholar (184)
This review aims to assess the adverse effects of plastic pollution on ecosystems, link the management of plastic with the SDGs, and propose policy measures using transdisciplinary approaches. Empowering communities to reduce plastic use is crucial. Addressing global plastic pollution is a priority.
Sustainability is an international, cross-disciplinary, open access journal that explores environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings. It provides a forward-looking platform for research on sustainability and sustainable development, and is published semi-monthly online by MDPI. Sustainability is affiliated with The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB).
Read more:
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Sustainability.
Inside MDPI
President of Ireland Authors Editorial in MDPI Journal Sustainability
It’s a very special occasion when the president of a country takes the initiative to write an editorial for a journal. Michael D. Higgins, President of the Republic of Ireland, has contributed his insights to a forthcoming Special Issue in Sustainability:
This Special Issue, focusing on “making sustainable development happen” at grassroots levels, allows for perspectives from, and on, the major world faiths, exploring how challenges have been conceptualised and addressed, in addition to case studies of faith-based sustainability initiatives in practice.
The experience of faith institutions and communities in translating theological and moral commitments to sustainable development into action is now a topic we must examine with urgency; one on which I am so glad this Special Issue focuses.
As President of Ireland, I very much support this Special Issue of Sustainability. It is my great hope that the contents of the papers contained herein will assist in making sustainable development happen at grassroots levels across the world so that we can cooperate together, people of faith and of none, to ensure a just, inclusive and sustainable future for all on our fragile planet.
Read the completed editorial here:
Special Issue “Faith and Sustainable Development: Exploring Practice, Progress and Challenges among Faith Communities and Institutions”: Foreword by the President of Ireland
Author: Michael D. Higgins
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9683; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129683
Coming Together for Science
The World Sustainability Forum 2023
The World Sustainability Forum (WSF) is a biennial MDPI event focused on sustainability. WSF 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the conference series, taking place on 14 September. For the first time, the event will be hosted as a 24-hour conference across three locations – Singapore, Basel in Switzerland, and Toronto in Canada – alongside virtual streaming.
This unique format allows us to span three time zones, providing live coverage of critical sustainability-related topics throughout the day:
- The Singapore Hub, chaired by Professor Horn Mun Cheah and Associate Professor Renee Tan, will explore “Sustainability for Social and Community Impact”.
- The Basel Hub, chaired by Prof. Dr. Anet Režek Jambrak and Dr. Lela Mélon, will delve into “Sustainability in the industry, and at university and corporate settings”.
- The Toronto Hub, led by Dr. Umberto Berardi, will discuss “The Sustainable Built Environment”.
MDPI Sustainability Foundation: Recognizing Excellence in Sustainability Research
The MDPI Sustainability Foundation supports researchers through two sustainability-focused awards:
- The World Sustainability Award, amounting to USD 100,000, is given to senior researchers.
- The Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, valued at USD 20,000, sponsored by the journal Sustainability, is presented to early-career researchers.
The winners of the Sustainability Foundation will be formally awarded during the WSF2023 on 14 September. Interviews with the award winners and finalists are available below.
2023 World Sustainability Award Winners
Interviews with 2023 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award Finalists
- Dr. Bahareh Kamranzad
- Dr. Youjin Kim
- Dr. Julia Lohmann
As a hybrid event, WSF23 provides scholars with the option to attend in person at one of the conference sites or, for a more sustainable approach, virtually. All sessions will be recorded and archived for future access. Registration is open until 3 September 2023, with in-person and virtual tickets available here.
Read more:
Closing Thoughts
“Co-opetition”: Collaboration Plus Healthy Competition – A Visit to Elsevier
I firmly believe in fostering collaboration and at the same time promoting healthy competition within the academic publishing industry. The market offers ample room for publishers and related companies to provide valuable services and products that enrich the academic community. While MDPI is recognized for its efficient and streamlined processes –thanks to our over 6,000 colleagues, in-house tools, and initiatives that support the author journey – our ethos has always involved learning from and collaborating with other organizations.
MDPI’s Interaction with Elsevier
In January 2023, I had a brief conversation with Judy Verses, President of Global Academic and Government Markets at Elsevier, following her participation in a panel discussion at the Academic Publishers Europe event in Berlin. One of the highlights for me was Judy’s insight into the impact of research, particularly her emphasis on the role of collaboration, including policy and showing the impact of research to influence on funding decisions.
“Such collaborations drive forward-looking strategies to elevate our support for the scholarly community”
Judy and I resumed our discussion in August, when I visited Elsevier's office to review current projects, such as our recent agreement with Science Direct and the continued indexing of MDPI journals in Scopus (indexing database owned by Elsevier). We also explored possible opportunities for the future, including a potential collaboration to expand MDPI’s Scilit data infrastructure. This endeavour aims to aggregate and provide access to scholarly metadata encompassing journal articles, conference papers, books, preprints, and more. While these discussions are ongoing, the underlying principle remains that such collaborations drive forward-looking strategies to elevate our services and support for the scholarly community.
It was great that Judy and I acknowledged the merits of 'co-opetition,' a concept based of the belief that fostering cooperation alongside healthy competition can lead to shared advancements for both individual companies and the industry at large.
‘Fully OA’ Organizations Dedicated to Open Access
MDPI proudly aligns with the ‘Fully OA’ group, a collaborative initiative comprising nine organizations dedicated to Open Access. Our monthly meetings, including an OASPA representative, serve as platforms to share non-confidential information, resources, and projects. These gatherings also facilitate discussions on topics relevant to fully OA organizations. Occasionally, joint actions spring from these interactions, such as collaborative blog posts on pertinent subjects and joint statements, such as a recent response to the House Appropriations Committee.
This display of cooperation among competing entities forms a strategic alliance focused on nurturing the best interests of the OA publishing model.
As I wrap up this third edition of the CEO Letter, I encourage you to seize opportunities for collaboration and contribute to advancing our shared academic culture. As the African proverb has it, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
21 August 2023
Toxics | Selected Hot Articles in 2021–2022
11 August 2023
Toxics | 2021–2022 Selected Hot Review Papers
7 August 2023
Interview with Dr. Catia Figueiredo—Winner of the Toxics 2022 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award
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Name: Dr. Catia Figueiredo |
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Email: cafigueiredo@ciencias.ulisboa.pt |
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The Winning Paper: “Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Aquatic Organisms under a Changing Environment” |
Dr. Cátia Figueiredo is a marine biologist with a passion for exploring the intricate interactions between climate change and emergent chemical stressors on marine ecosystems. Her research focuses on understanding the effects of these factors on marine biota, particularly in the context of technology critical elements. Her academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2012, followed by a master's degree in marine ecology in 2014, both acquired at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. In 2017, she was awarded a Ph.D. scholarship funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, allowing her to investigate the combined impacts of climate change (including ocean warming and acidification) and the emergent rare earth elements on various aquatic organisms. She finished her Ph.D. in 2022 and published 18 research articles during her Ph.D. Currently, she serves as the co-Principal Investigator of the EMINENT project (Emergent interactive effects of climate change and contaminants), a significant research initiative (REF 2022.08285.PTDC) aimed at unraveling the complex interplay between climate change, emergent technological pollutants and their influence on bioaccumulation, elimination processes and ecotoxicological outcomes in key bivalve species.
We want to congratulate Dr. Catia Figueiredo for winning the Toxics 2022 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award.
The following is an interview with Dr. Catia Figueiredo:
1. Could you please give us a brief overview of your research topic and the main objectives of your Ph.D. thesis?
My Ph.D. thesis focused on environmental challenges posed by the increased availability of rare earth elements (REEs) and the impacts of climate change. REEs have become crucial to the technological shifts towards renewable, more efficient and economically viable energy sources. This popular widespread use has contributed to the exponential increase of waste containing high concentrations of REEs. The escalating production, shorter lifespans of electronics and ineffective recycling policies result in the release of large amounts of, otherwise present in smaller concentrations, REEs into the aquatic environment. Hence, the main objectives of my research were to investigate the bioaccumulation, elimination and interactions of REEs in various taxonomic groups, including sponges, fish, bivalves and algae. Through my work, I aimed to gain a better understanding of how these species accumulate REEs, how they respond to changing environmental conditions and the potential toxicological effects on them. By studying both coastal and deep-sea biomonitoring species, I sought to provide comprehensive insights into the behavior of REEs in marine ecosystems. Furthermore, my research revealed that the responses of organisms were species-specific, element-specific and dose-specific. This complexity suggests that understanding REE accumulation and toxic responses in the near future is exceptionally intricate. It also emphasized the potential deleterious consequences of REE accumulation on species in a changing world.
Overall, the outcomes of my Ph.D. dissertation provide crucial data for policymakers when legislating for emerging environmental issues related to REE availability and toxic effects.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your Ph.D. journey, and how did you overcome them?
My Ph.D. journey was an incredibly rewarding, but also challenging experience. One of the most significant challenges I faced was managing the complexity of my research topic. The interactions between REEs and climate change were intricate and required careful planning and execution. However, I overcame this challenge by breaking down the research into manageable steps.
Another major hurdle was the unexpected emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to the closure of research facilities, travel restrictions and disruptions in data collection. The shift to remote work and limited access to laboratory equipment posed serious challenges to the progress of my research. To adapt to these unprecedented circumstances, I had to reevaluate my research plans and modify my approach to continue making progress. The pandemic also affected my mental well-being and motivation, as isolation and uncertainties weighed heavily on everyone. To overcome this, I actively engaged in online academic communities, attended virtual conferences and sought support from my peers.
These challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, perseverance, resourcefulness and the importance of maintaining a strong support network. Adapting to unforeseen challenges, both academic and personal, was vital in pushing forward and staying committed to my research objectives.
3. When and how did you access Toxics? What prompted you to apply for this award, and would you like to share your experience with the journal Toxics?
I accessed Toxics regularly during my Ph.D. while conducting literature research on environmental toxicology and related fields. As a reputable journal known for its high-quality research articles, Toxics provided a wealth of knowledge and insights that were instrumental in shaping my Ph.D. thesis and its scientific outcomes. The decision to apply for the award was motivated by several factors. Firstly, the award's recognition within the academic community was evident, and it represented an excellent opportunity to showcase my research findings to a broader audience. Winning this award would also serve as a testament to the significance of my research and its potential implications for environmental policy and decision-making. Moreover, the award presented an opportunity to contribute to the field of toxicology and advance discussions on the impacts of rare earth elements and climate change on marine ecosystems. My experience with the Toxics journal has been nothing but positive. The journal's editorial team was supportive and responsive, making the award winning journey smooth and rewarding. I am truly grateful for the platform provided by Toxics, as it has played a pivotal role in disseminating my research and contributing to the ongoing dialogue on environmental challenges and their implications for marine ecosystems.
4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?
In order to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of academia, young scientists require a diverse set of qualities. I believe some of them include:
- Curiosity: a strong sense of curiosity is the driving force behind scientific exploration. Young scientists should ask questions, seek answers and do not fear the unknown;
- Perseverance: academia can be challenging and often involves setbacks, so being resilient and persistent is a great skill;
- Critical thinking: critical thinking skills are paramount for evaluating information, designing experiments and drawing meaningful conclusions from data. Young scientists should develop the ability to assess and interpret scientific literature and evidence critically;
- Collaboration: effective collaboration is vital in modern scientific research. Successful young scientists should be able to collaborate with colleagues, mentors and interdisciplinary teams;
- Ethical awareness: young scientists must maintain the highest standards of integrity in their research practices;
- Time management: balancing research, coursework and personal life demands efficient time management. Young scientists need to prioritize tasks effectively to make progress in their work while maintaining a healthy work–life balance. This is key to a successful and productive career.
5. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express, or someone you want to thank the most?
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and the editorial team of Toxics for conferring this award upon me. It is an incredible honor to be recognized for my Ph.D. research, and I am extremely thankful for this recognition.
I would like to extend my appreciation to my Ph.D. advisors, Dr. Joana Raimundo, Dr. Pedro Ré and Dr. Mário Diniz, whose guidance, support and mentorship were invaluable throughout my research journey. Their expertise, encouragement and dedication to my success played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of my research.
I am also grateful to the members of my research team for their collaboration, inspiration and camaraderie.
Furthermore, I want to express my gratitude to the academic institutions and laboratories that provided me with the resources and facilities necessary for my research. Their support enabled me to carry out experiments and analyses that contributed to the findings presented in my Ph.D. thesis.
Last, but definitely not least, I must also acknowledge the unwavering support of my family and friends throughout this journey. Their encouragement, understanding and belief in my abilities have been a constant source of strength and motivation.
7 August 2023
Toxics | Invitation to Read 10 Highlighted Papers in the First Half of 2023
1. “Characterization of an Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Aerosol Generation Platform to Determine Exposure Risks”
by Qian Zhang, Jennifer Jeon, Travis Goldsmith, Marilyn Black, Roby Greenwald and Christa Wright
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020099
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/2/99
2. “Occupational Exposure to Metal Engineered Nanoparticles: A Human Biomonitoring Pilot Study Involving Italian Nanomaterial Workers”
by Beatrice Bocca, Beatrice Battistini, Veruscka Leso, Luca Fontana, Stefano Caimi, Mauro Fedele and Ivo Iavicoli
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020120
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/2/120
3. “Association of 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid Exposure during Pregnancy with Maternal Outcomes and Newborn Anthropometric Measures: Results from the IoMum Cohort Study”
by Juliana Guimarães, Isabella Bracchi, Cátia Pinheiro, Nara Xavier Moreira, Cláudia Matta Coelho, Diogo Pestana, Maria do Carmo Prucha, Cristina Martins, Valentina F. Domingues, Cristina Delerue-Matos et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020125
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/2/125
4. “Physicochemical Transformations of Silver Nanoparticles in the Oro-Gastrointestinal Tract Mildly Affect Their Toxicity to Intestinal Cells In Vitro: An AOP-Oriented Testing Approach”
by Ozge Kose, David Béal, Sylvie Motellier, Nathalie Pelissier, Véronique Collin-Faure, Magda Blosi, Rossella Bengalli, Anna Costa, Irini Furxhi, Paride Mantecca et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030199
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/3/199
5. “Imidacloprid and Its Bioactive Metabolite, Desnitro-Imidacloprid, Differentially Affect Ovarian Antral Follicle Growth, Morphology, and Hormone Synthesis In Vitro”
by Vasiliki E. Mourikes, Ramsés Santacruz Márquez, Ashley Deviney, Alison M. Neff, Mary J. Laws and Jodi A. Flaws
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040349
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/349
6. “Long-Term Toxicity of 50-nm and 1-μm Surface-Charged Polystyrene Microbeads in the Brine Shrimp Artemia parthenogenetica and Role of Food Availability”
by Yu Shen, Mingxing Zhang, Zhaochuan Li, Shuo Cao, Yadi Lou, Yi Cong, Fei Jin and Ying Wang
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040356
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/356
7. “Magnesium Supplementation Alleviates the Toxic Effects of Silica Nanoparticles on the Kidneys, Liver, and Adrenal Glands in Rats”
by Mohamed Moharram Badawy, Mohamed Z. Sayed-Ahmed, Yosif Almoshari, Saad S. Alqahtani, Saeed Alshahrani, Heba Allah Ali Mabrouk, Marwa M. Abd-Elsalam, Khalid Alkashif, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Ahmed M. El-Sebaey et al.
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040381
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/381
8. “Trans- and Multigenerational Effects of Isothiazolinone Biocide CMIT/MIT on Genotoxicity and Epigenotoxicity in Daphnia magna”
by Jiwan Kim and Jinhee Choi
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040388
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/388
9. “A New Advanced and Validated Method for the Determination of Potentially Toxic Metals and Trace and Ultra-Trace Elements in Peritoneal Fluid to Assess the Health Risks of Women with Gynecological Pathologies”
by Andrea López-Botella, Raquel Sánchez, José-Luis Todolí-Torró, María José Gómez-Torres, Irene Velasco and Maribel Acién
Toxics 2023, 11(5), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11050399
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/5/399
10. “Comparable Response Following Exposure to Biodiesel and Diesel Exhaust Particles in Advanced Multicellular Human Lung Models”
by Mizanur Rahman, Swapna Upadhyay, Koustav Ganguly, Micol Introna, Jie Ji, Christoffer Boman, Ala Muala, Anders Blomberg, Thomas Sandström and Lena Palmberg
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060532
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/6/532
31 July 2023
MDPI’s 2022 Best PhD Thesis Awards in Environmental and Earth Sciences—Winners Announced
31 July 2023
MDPI’s 2022 Best Paper Awards in Environmental and Earth Sciences—Winners Announced
