Announcements

We are delighted to announce the 3rd International Online Conference on Toxics (IOCTO2026), chaired by Dr. Natalia Garcia-Reyero (Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing & Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, USA) and Dr. Carlos Barata (Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain).  This conference will take place virtually from 9 to 11 September 2026.

We warmly invite researchers from academic institutions and professionals in the toxicology industry to attend IOCTO2026 and share their original research, innovative ideas, scientific insights, and practical experiences.

Topics are organized into five sessions, corresponding to the following journal Sections:
S1. Exposure Routes/Exposome of Emerging Contaminants and Materials in the Environment;
S2. Wildlife Ecotoxicology, Sentinel Species, and Ecosystem Health;
S3. Innovating Toxicology: NAMs and Computational Tools for Next-Generation Risk Assessment;
S4. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Comparative Toxicology, and Multi-Omics Integration;
S5. Risk assessment, Policy, and Environmental Justice in Chemical Safety.

Important dates:
Deadline for registration: 4 September 2026.

Please register for this event at: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCTO2026/registration.

Please refer to: https://sciforum.net/event/iocto2026 for further information.

For any enquiries regarding this event, please contact us at iocto2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 3rd International Online Conference on Toxics.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Yun Gyong Ahn, the corresponding author of an Editor’s Choice Article in Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). Here, she shares insights into her academic journey, her research focus, and the motivation behind her recent work.

Submission information:
“Probabilistic Ecological Risk Assessment of Synthetic Musk Compounds in the Han River Estuary: Integrating Multi-Year Monitoring and Explainable Machine Learning”
by Jungmin Jo, Na Rae Choi, Eunjin Lee, Jae Won Yoo, Dong Sik Ahn, Ji Yi Lee and Yun Gyong Ahn
Toxics 2026, 14(8), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14080718
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/14/8/718

Biography:
Dr. Yun Gyong Ahn majored in chemistry as an undergraduate and expanded her expertise in the fields of chemistry and environmental engineering by pursuing a master’s and a doctoral degree in environmental engineering. Her research has primarily focused on the development and application of advanced analytical methods for the identification, quantification, and characterization of hazardous chemicals and emerging contaminants in environmental matrices.  She obtained her PhD from Korea University on August 25, 2007. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “A Study on the New Cleanup Method for the Determination of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins/Dibenzofurans and Endocrine-Disrupting Phenols in Fish by Freezing-Lipid Filtration”.

The following is an interview with Dr. Yun Gyong Ahn:

1. Could you briefly introduce the main research focus of this paper?
Synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) are widely used in perfumes, cosmetics, detergents, and other consumer products, and their continued use results in their continuous input into wastewater treatment plants through domestic wastewater and subsequent release into aquatic environments via treated effluents. Despite growing concerns regarding the persistence and potential toxicity of these compounds, systematic long-term environmental monitoring and consistent emission management standards for SMCs remain limited worldwide. This study investigated the occurrence, spatial and temporal distribution, and ecological risks of 12 SMCs in the Han River Estuary, Republic of Korea, based on a three-year monitoring program from 2020 to 2022. Unlike previous studies that focused mainly on specific locations or limited sampling periods, our study integrates long-term monitoring of SMCs from wastewater treatment facilities through rivers and estuaries to coastal environments, together with their seasonal variability, environmental drivers, and ecological risks. Machine learning identifies the environmental drivers of SMC distribution, probabilistic hazard quotient (HQ) assessment quantifies the associated ecological risks, and the resulting risk map visualizes where those risks are concentrated. The integrated risk map combining probabilistic ecological risk assessment with the spatial distribution of synthetic musk compounds allows major risk areas to be readily identified. It can help identify areas with relatively high predicted ecological risks, thereby supporting risk prioritization and informed environmental management and decision-making.

2. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your current research?
I am a Principal Research Scientist at the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), where I conduct a variety of research projects on hazardous substances and metabolites using advanced mass spectrometry-based approaches. My work also focuses on the development of analytical methods for the efficient separation and detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants, as well as the establishment of robust QA/QC procedures and validation of analytical methods to ensure reliable and accurate quantification.
Recently, I have been expanding my research beyond the analysis and risk assessment of highly toxic chemicals detected in environmental and human exposure settings to the comprehensive identification and characterization of their metabolites and transformation products generated in humans and the environment. From an exposome perspective, I aim to better understand the complex exposure and biological effects of multiple environmental contaminants by integrating advanced analytical chemistry with toxicological information. In addition, I am expanding my research to incorporate machine learning-based toxicity prediction and probabilistic ecological risk assessment, aiming to develop an integrated framework for quantitatively evaluating exposure, toxicity, and ecological risks associated with complex environmental contaminants.

3. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to early career researchers who are interested in this area of study?
Recently, ecological risk assessment has been moving beyond the conventional approach of evaluating individual contaminants based primarily on their environmental concentrations and risk quotients. Increasingly, research is focusing on a more integrated assessment that considers multiple chemical exposures, complex mixtures, unknown contaminants, metabolites and transformation products, as well as their biological effects. Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry, non-target screening, and machine learning are also providing new opportunities to identify previously overlooked contaminants and predict their potential toxicity. Because research in this area cannot be effectively addressed from a single discipline, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. Therefore, my advice to early career researchers interested in this field is to avoid limiting themselves to existing methodologies or a single research area. Instead, they should first develop a strong foundation in their own area of expertise while actively learning concepts and methodologies from complementary disciplines. Building collaborative networks with researchers from different disciplines is particularly important for developing meaningful interdisciplinary research. Ultimately, I believe it will become increasingly important to build researchers’ ability to connect various academic disciplines around well-defined scientific questions.

4. Why did you choose Toxics as a platform for publishing your work and how was your experience? Would you consider publishing your future research in Toxics?
I selected Toxics because there is a very strong match between the journal’s scope and my research. Also, I have had a positive experience with the journal in the past, and its scope closely matches my research. I highly value Toxics for its international readership and interdisciplinary approach. In particular, I believe that the journal is a good fit for our research because it allows research findings to be interpreted and discussed not only from an analytical perspective but also from a toxicological perspective. For these reasons, I consider Toxics to be an appropriate publication platform for effectively communicating the scientific value of our research to the international readers. Based on my positive experience with the journal, I would also be very interested in publishing our future research findings in Toxics.

5. How do you think open access publishing impacts authors?
The increasing proportion of open access publications in science, technology, and medicine reflects the growing demand for broader and faster access to scientific information. In this sense, I believe that open access will play an increasingly important role in promoting international collaboration and scientific advancement. I also think that greater accessibility can encourage authors to maintain high scientific and ethical standards, because their research can be widely read, evaluated, and discussed by the scientific community. However, I hope that more diverse support systems will be established to reduce the financial burden on authors while enabling researchers to select OA publication journals based on the quality and relevance of their research.

6. In your opinion, which research topics will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I think the research trend will be a shift from studying individual contaminants toward understanding complex chemical mixtures and cumulative exposure. PFAS, microplastics, transformation products, and other emerging contaminants will remain important, while high-resolution mass spectrometry, non-target screening, exposomics, and machine learning will become increasingly important tools. I also expect greater integration of long-term monitoring, toxicity, and risk assessment, particularly considering climate change and vulnerable ecosystems. In this context, combining advanced analytical chemistry with explainable machine learning and ecological risk assessment is, in my opinion, a particularly promising research direction.

We had the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Claudio Casella, the first and corresponding author of a highly cited paper in Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). Here, he shares insights into his academic journey, research focus, and the motivation behind his recent work.

“Plastic Smell: A Review of the Hidden Threat of Airborne Micro and Nanoplastics to Human Health and the Environment”
by Claudio Casella, Umberto Cornelli, Santiago Ballaz, Giuseppe Zanoni, Gabriele Merlo and Luis Ramos-Guerrero
Toxics 2025, 13(5), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050387

Dr. Claudio Casella is an exceptionally promising scholar whose multidisciplinary work bridges chemical engineering, environmental toxicology, and green materials science. Demonstrating extraordinary academic momentum, Dr. Casella has achieved remarkable bibliometric milestones in just two years (2024–2026)—authoring 37 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier Q1 and Q2 journals (Toxics, Environmental Pollution, Food Hydrocolloids, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Journal of Hazardous Materials), accumulating over 580 citations (h-index: 11; i10-index: 14 on Google Scholar), and securing a ResearchGate Interest Score of 346.4. His scientific engagement is further highlighted by Web of Science metrics placing his Author Impact Beamplot Summary in the 81st percentile alongside 134 verified peer reviews. Dr. Claudio Casella is an emerging researcher whose multidisciplinary work spans chemical engineering, environmental toxicology, and green materials science. He holds a Doctoral degree in Chemical, Environmental, and Biofood Engineering, receiving an International Doctorate Mention (University of Oviedo, Spain) for his academic achievements and collaborative projects. Dr. Casella’s primary research focuses on environmental pollutants—particularly microplastics and nanoplastics—and their potential bioaccumulation, human health outcomes, and metabolic disruptions such as insulin resistance. A central line of his investigation involves developing sustainable, natural polymers—most notably chitosans and polyglucosamine-starch networks derived from waste streams—to physically entrap or sequester microplastics within the gastrointestinal tract under in vitro gastric conditions. Starting in October 2026, he will begin a postdoctoral project within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pavia, focusing on the environmental dynamics, biological interactions, and bioaccumulation of microplastics, nanoplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Dr. Casella integrates experimental chemistry with biomedical insights. Collaborating closely with international institutions across Europe and the Americas, Dr. Casella integrates experimental chemistry with biomedical insights. With dozens of peer-reviewed scientific contributions published in leading international journals, he continues to pioneer novel biopolymer applications to mitigate xenobiotic toxicity and advance global environmental health.

The following is an interview with Dr. Claudio Casella:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?

This work explores the critical role of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) as potential environmental and metabolic disruptors, focusing particularly on their links to insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation, and tissue accumulation frameworks. By synthesizing mechanistic insights and cellular turnover models, our studies assess how ingested or systemic microplastics interact with biological barriers and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, we investigated natural therapeutic strategies—specifically chitosan-based biopolymers—to evaluate their capacity to sequester MNPs within simulated gastric conditions, offering a practical avenue to reduce microplastic bioaccumulation in human and animal tissues.

2. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your current research?

I have a background in chemical, environmental, and biofood engineering, and my interdisciplinary work lies at the intersection of environmental toxicology, sustainable materials, and biomedical science. Over the past two years, I have actively expanded my scientific output, establishing active collaborations with researchers across Europe and the Americas, including ongoing joint projects with Dr. Umberto Cornelli, MD, PhD, at the Loyola University School of Medicine (Maywood, IL, USA). As an active member of NYAS, AAAS, ACS, and SITOX, I place strong emphasis on collaborative research. Starting this October, I will commence my PhD at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pavia, where my research will focus specifically on the fate, toxicity, and interaction of MNPs and PFAS. Additionally, my work explores biopolymer-based intervention strategies (such as tailored chitosan networks, especially Procambarus clarkii chitosan) designed to bind and eliminate microplastics in the gastrointestinal system before systemic absorption occurs.

3. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to early-career researchers who are interested in this research area?

The field of environmental toxicology is rapidly moving beyond basic contaminant detection toward comprehensive mechanistic toxicology and multi-pollutant exposure models (such as examining MNPs alongside persistent chemicals like PFAS). Researchers are increasingly combining material science, multi-omics, and advanced toxicological modeling to understand real-world exposures. My advice to early-career researchers is to cultivate an interdisciplinary mindset and engage actively with professional networks like ACS or SITOX. The complexity of anthropogenic pollutants requires collaboration across chemistry, environmental engineering, and clinical toxicology. Staying open to innovative solutions—such as repurposing biopolymer waste to tackle toxicological challenges—can open exciting avenues of discovery.

4. Why did you choose Toxics as a platform for publishing your work, and how was your experience? Would you consider publishing future research in Toxics?

We selected Toxics because of its strong reputation for publishing cutting-edge research in environmental health, xenobiotic mechanisms, and chemical toxicology. The journal’s scope aligned perfectly with our research on MNP bioaccumulation, toxicological frameworks, and metabolic disruption. My experience with Toxics was exceptionally positive: the peer-review process was thorough, highly constructive, and efficient, which allowed our findings to reach the scientific community promptly. I would certainly consider Toxics for publishing future research outputs, including our ongoing work on emerging contaminants.

5. How do you think open access publishing impacts authors?

Open access publishing is essential for maximizing research visibility, engagement, and real-world impact. In environmental toxicology, findings regarding contaminants like MNPs and PFAS have direct implications for public health professionals, regulatory agencies, policymakers, and the general public. Removing paywalls ensures that crucial data regarding chemical exposure and health risks are freely accessible globally, encouraging transparent scientific discourse and promoting international collaborations across academic institutions.

6. In your opinion, which research topics will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

In the coming years, I anticipate a major research focus on the co-exposure dynamics of complex contaminant mixtures—particularly how MNPs act as vectors for persistent organic pollutants like PFAS. Key areas will include understanding the exact molecular mechanisms of metabolic disruption (such as neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases linked to environmental exposure), cross-species health impacts, and the development of proactive, sustainable mitigation technologies—such as targeted gastrointestinal sequestrants and advanced green materials—to limit human and ecological exposure.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself, including your current affiliation and tell us about your current research interests?
   I am currently a Full Professor at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei Province, China. My research interests have persisted since my postgraduate studies, centering mainly on the aquatic toxicology of emerging environmental pollutants, such as flame retardants, per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and preservatives. As facilitated by the introduction and development of novel approaches, our research aims to identify molecular initiating events, convincingly unravel mechanistic cascades, and establish defined adverse outcome pathways for environmental pollutants. Building upon these findings, we develop a mechanism‑driven strategy to design environmentally benign alternatives, with the ultimate goal of achieving source reduction of toxic chemicals.
2. How does it feel to be recognized with the Toxics Young Investigator Award?
   I am deeply honored to receive the Toxics Young Investigator Award from the international review panel. I recognize that this is a highly competitive award, with numerous applicants every year. This distinction represents international recognition of our group’s research accomplishments, and it will further motivate us to pursue our ongoing research directions. I hope we can generate more original findings in the years ahead.
3. Can you tell us about the specific research project or breakthrough that led to this recognition? What potential impact do you foresee this work having on the toxicology and environment science?
   To comprehensively decipher the reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of isothiazolinone, an emerging antimicrobial preservative, our team has spent five years accumulating robust evidence in vivo, in vitro, in silico, and ex vivo. By developing and optimizing a pull‑down protocol tailored for toxicological investigations, we successfully screened for potential binding targets and further validated Gαi as the molecular initiating event responsible for isothiazolinone‑induced reproductive toxicity in animal models. Through co‑exposure experiments with diverse agonists and antagonists, we confirmed the causal link between Gαi disruption and reproductive impairments. These findings allowed us to propose a compelling, novel adverse outcome pathway for reproductive toxicity. This work underscores that Gαi‑mediated signaling can trigger adverse reproductive outcomes, representing a valuable addition to the existing repertoire of receptor‑driven reproductive toxicity mechanisms. This insight suggests that pollutant screening workflows should not be limited to well‑characterized targets. Future mechanistic studies are expected to uncover additional molecular targets that can be integrated into risk prediction and diagnostic frameworks.
   Beyond mechanistic toxicology, our research extends toward the rational design of green chemicals. Based on divergent antimicrobial potency and differential Gαi‑binding affinity among isothiazolinone analogs, we have established structure–activity and structure–toxicity relationships. These relationships support the design of alternative compounds with reduced reproductive endocrine toxicity and enhanced antimicrobial performance. Ultimately, two candidate compounds have been synthesized and are being evaluated for real‑world applications. Compared with conventional mortality‑centered approaches, mechanism‑ and target‑driven chemical design strategies have proven more environmentally relevant and sustainable.
4. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
   Currently, toxicological research is confronted with multiple critical challenges. Notably, the field needs to shift its focus from characterizing toxicological effects toward dissecting underlying mechanisms. At present, descriptive observations alone are insufficient and constrain data interpretation. We must develop innovative toxicological approaches to identify direct binding targets that causally mediate the specific biological effects triggered by environmental pollutants. Validating the causal link between these molecular targets and adverse outcomes is of particular interest and significance. Furthermore, once molecular targets are unambiguously identified, it becomes imperative to integrate these newly‑discovered targets into high‑throughput screening and predictive workflows, alongside conventionally established targets. Leveraging artificial intelligence and big‑data mining, environmental pollutants posing substantial ecological and health risks can be prioritized for subsequent experimental validation. In parallel, toxicology should strengthen its capacity to support chemical risk management and evidence‑based policy‑making. Beyond advancing fundamental science, toxicological research must also emphasize application‑oriented outputs.
5. Could you tell us about your experience with Toxics either as an author, reviewer, editor, or reader?
   Previously, I served as a Guest Editor and assisted in organizing a Special Issue for Toxics. I was also involved in manuscript review and processing in my capacity as both a reviewer and an editor. To date, our group has published two papers in Toxics, one of which has been featured on the journal’s front cover. Through frequent, multi‑faceted interactions with Toxics’ editorial management team, what has impressed me most is the high efficiency of its manuscript‑processing workflow. Adhering to rigorous standards, the journal enables timely online publication of research outputs, facilitating knowledge exchange among international readers. Moreover, the Toxics management team demonstrates great enthusiasm for elevating the journal to greater heights. They have established online conference platforms, solicited advice from Editorial Board Members, and spared no effort to promote Toxics to a broader audience. All these initiatives will undoubtedly benefit the journal’s further development.
6. What have been some of the major technical or career challenges you faced when transitioning from a student to an independent faculty member or group leader? How did you overcome them?
   After returning from Hong Kong to take up a position in Wuhan, I was appointed as a full professor in 2018 and tasked with establishing a new laboratory. In the following year, I began to recruit postgraduate students. Supervising student research proved challenging in the initial stage. Since new students lacked prior experience in toxicological experiments, I had to train them in core technical skills while encouraging them to think independently and pursue innovative research ideas. Defining the future research direction of our lab also posed considerable difficulties. Fortunately, my students progressed rapidly and acquired toxicological methodologies through intensive training. Gradually, they became capable of working independently, freeing up my time for other responsibilities. As a principal investigator (PI), I am required to secure sufficient grants to fund our toxicological research. This represents a persistent challenge for all researchers, yet it is particularly acute for early‑career faculty and new group leaders. Given the wide variety of funders and grant application systems, it is critical to become familiar with grant‑writing procedures at an early stage and seize every available opportunity.
7. Based on your journey, what specific advice would you give to young researchers or PhD students who are just starting their careers in toxicology and environment science?
   In my view, scientific research should be driven by the most innovative ideas, with paper publication never treated as its ultimate goal. Therefore, I recommend that early career researchers and PhD students devote their limited time and energy to exploring topics that truly interest them. Rather than spreading their efforts across fragmented experiments, they are better off pursuing comprehensive, in‑depth research focused on a single specific subject. Admittedly, such thorough investigations are more likely to encounter obstacles and may even end in failure. Nevertheless, the rewards are far greater when researchers strive to identify solutions and tackle a scientific challenge.
8. Finally, do you have any suggestions on how Toxics could further support young researchers and the academic community?
   Under current circumstances, early‑career researchers struggle to compete against senior experts for research grants. Without grant funding, they lack the resources to sustain their research and advance their careers. In this context, I believe it would be highly beneficial for Toxics to establish a grant program specifically for early career researchers. An international review committee could conduct impartial assessments to uphold the standards and authority of this Toxics‑affiliated grant.

We are pleased to share the following interview with Prof. Dr. David A. Lawrence, Editorial Board Member of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304).

Prof. Dr. David A. Lawrence is a professor of immunotoxicology at University at Albany, USA. The Lawrence Lab addresses the biochemical and molecular analysis of the human and murine immune-neuroendocrine network with specific emphasis on the mechanisms by which chemicals and drugs alter the structure/function of antigen-presenting cells and the T-lymphocyte subsets responsible for maintenance of the immune homeostasis (controlled cell-mediated and humoral (antibody-mediated) immune responses).

He is especially concerned with the influence of oxidative stress from environmental toxicants and pathogens as well as developmental aging stresses on immune responsiveness. Current funded research is focused on the immune mechanisms responsible for the developmental disorders such as autism and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. David A. Lawrence:

1. What is the most satisfying discovery or achievement you have obtained in your laboratory?

On the personal side, every new amount of information is satisfying because it opens up more discoveries needed, which keeps my mind more active (an important physiological activity for an aging person). From a more scientific vantage point, I would say that the connections of oxidative stress on nerve and immune interactions have been important but specific molecular involvements are needed.

2. When you encountered repeated failed experiments and long-term bottlenecks in the early stages of your research, did you ever consider giving up scientific research? What kept you going?

The main bottleneck has been getting funding for the pursuit of new ideas. Even apparently failed experiments usually lead to the need to develop new approaches, or understanding what the result may be suggests new paths forward. The wonder of science is that every new discovery leads to many questions still unanswered.

3. How do you maintain a balance between research commitments and personal life?

That is a question probably better and more honestly answered by my wife. It is getting harder now with more physical health issues, but when I was younger, I always left time for an outside walk in the garden or a forest. When enjoying nature, including animals, the mind is refreshed and allows new thoughts to enter.

4. How has your experience working with Toxics been since you joined the Editorial Board? What is your primary expectation toward the journal’s future development?

We need to keep researching environmental stressors connected to physical and mental health.  Lately this is especially true for psychological stress affecting health. We also need to make more scientists and the public aware of the numerous aspects of wars and climate change that are changing and impacting health.

5. As an academic editor, what aspects do you prioritize most when evaluating manuscripts? What advice would you give to authors preparing to submit their work to Toxics?

First, better understand what the new information is that you want the reader to concentrate upon. A good description of your results adds to what has been known and accepted by most scientists.

6. You are currently editing the Special Issue “Environmental Toxicants in Human Health: Oxidative Stress, Metabolism and Toxicity”. From your perspective as a Guest Editor, what potential value do you think this Special Issue can bring to research or clinical practice in your field?

My students consider me very anal about bringing up oxidative stress for many disorders, but I believe it is connected and we need to get more information about the specific molecules implicated. It is especially important to discuss the cell and molecular implications of aging and increased incidence of disorders. Dietary and physical activities need to be connected.

7. In your view, what are the essential components of a high-quality research paper? Is it primarily the result of groundbreaking research with substantial scientific merit, or does it hinge on well-conceived ideas and proficient writing?

Both are important. Great new results will not get much attention if they are presented poorly, and no matter how well a manuscript is written, if it doesn’t introduce a new idea, it will not attract attention.

8. What role do you think academic journals play in scientific communication?

All communication is important. At meetings, I have always learned more in discussions after a presentation than the presentation alone. In classes, I think students learn more about the topic by discussing the topic after class.

9. What does the future of your research field look like? In your opinion, what under-explored questions in modern immunotoxicology deserve more attention from researchers?

For example, the oxidative stress effects causing immunotoxicology, what specific molecules are involved, and how does the structure of these molecules change due to stress.

10. Finally, what is one piece of advice you would give to early career researchers?

Keep an open mind and listen carefully. If you disagree with a comment, ask yourself why.

The articles below have been selected as Issue Cover Articles for the first half of 2026 by the Editorial Office of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). These articles are from multiple fields within the scope of the journal, and we hope they will provide insights and serve as references for scholars in related fields. For more information about this journal volume, please click on the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/14.

MDPI will be attending the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 to be held in Glasgow, UK, from 4 to 8 October 2026. As the global event for water professionals, the Congress brings together experts and stakeholders from across the full water cycle, providing a leading international platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, collaboration, and discussion on the future of water management.

The Congress attracts thousands of leading professionals, researchers, policymakers, companies, and organizations from across the water sector and beyond. It provides an opportunity to explore how pioneering research, technological innovation, and leading practices can contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and efficient water systems.

The key technical program themes include the following:

• Water Utility Management;
• Wastewater and Resource Recovery;
• Drinking Water and Potable Reuse;
• City-scale Planning & Operations;
• Communities, Communication, & Partnership;
• Water Resources & Sustainable Development.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Resources;
• Water;
• Microplastics;
• JMSE;
• Limnological Review;
• Hydrology;
• Membranes;
• Environments;
• Sustainability;
• Pollutants;
• Biosphere;
• Toxics.

We had the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Athanasia Christou, the first author of a Highly Cited Paper in Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). Here, she shares insights into her academic journey, research focus, and the motivation behind her recent work.

“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
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/301

Dr. Athanasia Christou is currently undertaking her PhD at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. She obtained a BSc (with Honours) in chemistry from the University of Manchester, the United Kingdom, and an MSc in materials science and technology from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. Her research focuses on wear and particle emissions from studded and retreaded vehicle tires.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Athanasia Christou:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
In the past years the research focus has shifted from exhaust emissions of vehicles to non-exhaust emissions, as the current legislations and new technologies have allowed for a significant decline in tailpipe emissions. However, since non-exhaust particles have only recently started to be studied, their environmental and health impacts are not well understood yet. This literature review looks at the current research on the health effects of automotive brake and tire wear particles. After assessing the health effects caused by such particles on human, mammalian, aquatic and terrestrial cells and organisms, the paper focuses on critically assessing the testing methodologies used to create these particles while also revealing the gaps in the research.

2. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your current research?
I am currently undertaking a PhD on particle emissions from tires at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. My main research areas focus on wearing particles emitted from studded and retreaded tires.
Studded tires are widely used in Nordic countries; however, they can cause premature road wear and increase airborne particle emissions. These can have various effects such as an unnecessary increase in road maintenance cost, a possible increase in accidents due to road damage, worsened air quality and potential adverse health effects, amongst others. In my research I am evaluating the effect of the stud material selection on airborne particle emissions and road wear.
Another important issue right now is the regulation of retreaded and recycled tires. In one of the projects I am involved in we look at sustainable tire compounds that use recycled tire rubber and assess them on their emissions, toxicology and sustainability through their whole life cycle.

3. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to early career researchers who are interested in this research area?
It is extremely important to keep on top of new research and technological developments. I always advise young researchers, like myself, to read new articles and be involved in dissemination activities as this can have a huge impact on the propagation of new ideas and can help with the advancement of the research. This can often help with finding solutions to common problems since in a certain research field we often all face the same hurdles.
Additionally, it is important, especially in new research areas such as vehicle emissions, to keep an open, but also critical, mind. As there are no set protocols or testing procedures, it is good to approach some things with skepticism and use critical thinking when reading papers.

4. Why did you choose Toxics as a platform for publishing your work, and how was your experience? Would you consider publishing your future research in Toxics?
We decided to publish with MDPI’s journal Toxics because the topic of this paper was aligned with the research areas published in the journal. As the paper looks at the health effects of particle emissions and assesses the available toxicological studies, Toxics was a suitable choice. The journal is also peer-reviewed and open-access, which is essential for high-quality publications. Furthermore, the faster time period from submission to publication compared to other publishers is important for fast-changing dynamic research areas where new technologies emerge and research projects progress rapidly.

5. In which way do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Publishing in open access journals is extremely important for authors and researchers as it ensures their research can readily be accessed by everyone. This is especially important in research areas that focus on the greater good, like health and sustainability, as it means that more research groups will be able to learn and be inspired by other people’s research to drive new scientific developments.
Additionally, publishing in open access journals means that other researchers have the opportunity to read and evaluate your research. This means that the authors will strive to create important, morally sound and high-quality research.

6. In your opinion, which research topics will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Since exhaust emissions have been studied and regulated for many years, we have gotten to a point where they have been significantly reduced, therefore the current concern is focused on the ever-increasing proportion of non-exhaust emissions released from vehicles. One important thing to keep in mind is that although electrification and new technologies have the potential to reduce emissions, they do not completely solve the issue, and, in some cases, they can even increase certain types of emissions, such as those released from tires, due to the added weight of the battery.
As vehicle non-exhaust emissions will continue being a serious issue for the foreseeable future, it is important, in my opinion, to understand the mitigation measures and new technologies available, in order to adapt accordingly. For example, while the overall amount of non-exhaust emissions could decrease, these particles could have a higher toxicity, which would need to be addressed urgently.