Announcements

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

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

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

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

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

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

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

Conference: The 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Travel and Health
Organization: Japanese Society of Travel and Health
Date: 19–20 July 2025
Place: Nara, Japan

Representatives from a number of MDPI journals will be attending the 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Travel and Health as exhibitors. The meeting will be held in Nara, Japan, from 19 to 20 July 2025.

The Japanese Society of Travel and Health (JSTH), established in 1997, has been dedicated to advancing the field of travel medicine. The 29th Annual Conference, themed “Let's learn together and create together: a new era of Travel and Health that illuminates future travel”, will focus on the following key topics:

• Infectious disease treatment, infection control, and vaccines;
• Mental health, chronic disease management, and medical insurance;
• Establishment and operations of travel clinics;
• Latest trends, including digital transformation and AI.

As an interdisciplinary platform, this conference will bring physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and travel industry experts together to discuss the most pressing global health challenges.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease;
• Infectious Disease Reports;
• IJERPH;
• Diseases;
• COVID;
• JPBI;
• Vaccines.

If you are planning to attend the conference above, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and to answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.c-linkage.co.jp/jsth29/.

MDPI is excited to host a scientific publishing workshop in partnership with the Medical University of Silesia, Poland. This collaboration reflects MDPI’s and the Medical University of Silesia’s shared commitment to academic research and scholarly publishing. The session will provide valuable guidance to students on how to structure and write academic articles, offering essential tools and knowledge to support their publishing journeys. The session will cover topics such as “How to Structure an Article” and “How to Write Academic Articles in English”.

Project Name	Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI—Scientific Publishing Workshop with the Medical University of Silesia
Date and Time (local Time)	16 June 2025; 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (CEST)
Online /Offline	Online
Venue	Microsoft Teams
Institution	Medical University of Silesia
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MDPI Speakers:

We are pleased to share that Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (TropicalMed, ISSN: 2414-6366) has received an increased CiteScore of 4.7 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 212 out of 687 titles (Q2) in the “Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health” category and 22 out of 63 titles (Q2) in the “General Immunology and Microbiology” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 10.

You can find more statistics on our website.

The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease and its growing impact in tropical medicine and infectious disease.

Conference: 2nd Southeast Asia Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Symposium

Date: 28–29 August 2025

Location: National University of Singapore, Singapore

Join us in Singapore for the 2nd Southeast Asia Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Symposium from 28 to 29 August 2025! This symposium aims to connect leading experts, researchers, and professionals while encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange on ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Southeast Asia. By featuring novel insights into tick research, TBDs in Southeast Asia, and other related concepts, this event will provide a unique platform for networking and scientific exchange, fostering a sustainable research community across ASEAN countries. It will also offer young and/or emerging scientists the chance to engage with global experts in the field.

Seize this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of tick and TBD research in Southeast Asia. Register now and be part of this growing regional initiative!

The following journals will represent MDPI at the conference:

• Pathogens;
• Diseases;
• Parasitologia;
• Zoonotic Diseases;
• TropicalMed;
• Viruses;
• Microorganisms.

If you are planning to attend, feel free to reach out and start a conversation with us at our booth. Our team looks forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more details about the symposium, please visit the following website: https://www.gevme.com/2nd-southeast-asia-ticks-and-tick-borne-diseases-symposium.

Hosts: China One Health Network, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology), and The Centre for Environment & Population Health, Griffith University
Time: 27–30 June 2025
Venue: Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, China
Conference Website: http://www.onehealth-network.com/index.php

Aim of the Symposium
The One Health Symposium series has played a pivotal role in shaping the global One Health movement. The inaugural event in 2014 established a global network of One Health researchers. The second symposium, in 2019, further strengthened this collaboration, culminating in the Pearl River Declaration. The Declaration called for enhanced regional cooperation to address emerging health threats across the Asia–Pacific. These milestones continue to shape the One Health agenda and global health security strategies.

Featuring distinguished One Health researchers and practitioners from around the world, the 3rd International Symposium for One Health Research and Practice aims to provide a platform for participants to both discuss the concepts and implementation challenges of One Health and to share successful projects and strategies from around the world to enable and facilitate more effective collaboration and action. The symposium will culminate in the creation of the Shenzhen Declaration. The Declaration calls for the strengthening of cross-regional collaboration and commitments and provides concrete steps and actionable solutions to more effectively tackle current and future global health security challenges from emerging infectious diseases.

The Importance of this Symposium
Humanity faces increasing global health challenges, both in terms of scale and complexity. As demonstrated by the One Health approach, growing health security threats from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases need to be addressed through inter-sectoral collaboration between a diverse range of professionals with complementary skill sets, knowledge, resources, experience, and networks.

The 3rd International Symposium for One Health Research and Practice addresses this urgent need by bringing together specialists from diverse sectors, such as public health, animal health, agriculture, food safety, and environmental science. These include One Health leaders, scholars, and policymakers, in addition to new partners from AI, health economics, funding bodies, and community of practice networks. Through timely discussions and the development of practical strategies, this symposium will create a dynamic platform for productive engagement, action, and cross-sectoral partnerships to drive One Health initiatives forward.

MDPI will be attending the 43rd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, taking place from 26 to 30 May 2025 in Bucharest, Romania.

The 43rd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases will be held in person in Bucharest and online. This premier meeting brings together leading researchers and specialists from across Europe and beyond, all committed to advancing the study, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in children.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Pediatric Reports;
• Children;
• Diagnostics;
• Hygiene;
• Metabolites;
• Antibiotics;
• TropicalMed.

If you plan to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the official website at https://espidmeeting.org/.

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

Workshop Highlights:

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

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

Program:

Name: Dr. Exequiel O. J. Porta
Affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
Research interests: parasitology; neglected tropical diseases; infectious diseases; drug discovery; medicinal chemistry; chemical biology; bioinformatics; proteomics

We are pleased to share our interview with him.

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
My name is Exequiel Porta, and I am currently a Medical Research Council (MRC) Research Fellow at University College London (UCL), based in the School of Pharmacy, and Coordinator of the Health and Biological Sciences Area at the Network of Argentine Researchers in the UK (RCARU - RAICES). My work lies at the intersection of parasitology, infectious diseases, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with a strong focus on medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, bioinformatics, and proteomics. My research is deeply committed to advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving these diseases and to identifying novel therapeutic targets and new chemical entities. Ultimately, my ambition is to develop effective treatments that can significantly improve the health and quality of life of underserved and vulnerable populations globally.

2. How did you become interested in your current research field?
From the earliest days of my undergraduate studies in biotechnology at the National University of Rosario, Argentina, I was driven by a belief that chemistry could be a catalyst for transformative change in global health. This conviction guided me into medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, where I sought to harness chemical innovation to address neglected medical challenges. During my Ph.D., awarded the “Argentine Society of Research in Organic Chemistry Prize” for the best doctoral thesis of the 2015–2016 period, I delved deep into prenylated compounds, pioneering strategies to confront neglected tropical diseases. Building on this foundation, my postdoctoral research in Argentina and subsequent fellowships in the United Kingdom at Durham University (COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, European Union) and UCL (MRC Research Fellow) propelled the growth of both my expertise and broader scientific vision. Today, my work remains fueled by a commitment to push the boundaries of drug discovery, leveraging the power of interdisciplinary science to combat infectious diseases and bring hope to underserved populations worldwide.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
The research landscape is entering an era of unprecedented innovation. I believe transformative fields such as targeted protein degradation technologies (including PROTACs), RNA-targeted therapeutics, and next-generation chemoproteomic strategies will redefine drug discovery. Simultaneously, the convergence of genomics, proteomics, and artificial intelligence is accelerating the rise in personalized medicine, ushering in a future where therapies are precisely tailored to the molecular blueprint of each patient. Together, these advancements promise to expand the boundaries of what is possible, fundamentally reshaping how we understand and treat diseases.

4. Can you briefly describe the key to a happy scientific life?
A happy scientific life is built upon an enduring sense of wonder, a deep curiosity about the unknown, and a passion for discovery. It requires resilience to navigate challenges with perseverance and openness to learning from every experience, whether it is a success or failure. Yet, science is never a solitary endeavor—true fulfilment comes from belonging to a collaborative and supportive community, where mentorship, teamwork, and shared purpose thrive. Celebrating each step forward, however small, reinforces the joy of the journey. Above all, anchoring one's research in personal passion and a broader commitment to advancing human well-being transforms science into not merely a career but a profoundly rewarding way of life.

5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I am a strong advocate for the open access publishing model, as it plays a crucial role in democratizing scientific knowledge, making research accessible to all, regardless of institutional affiliation or geographic location. Open access fosters greater collaboration, accelerates scientific discovery, and amplifies the visibility and impact of researchers’ work. Importantly, it empowers scientists in developing regions, who might otherwise face significant barriers to accessing essential information, to fully participate in and contribute to the global research community. By breaking down traditional barriers, open access drives a more inclusive, dynamic, and interconnected scientific ecosystem.

6. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank?
I am incredibly honored to receive the TropicalMed Young Investigator Award. This recognition is a testament not only to individual effort but to the unwavering support of the mentors, colleagues, and teams who have accompanied me throughout my journey. I am especially grateful to my early mentors at the National University of Rosario and Durham University, particularly Professors Guillermo Labadie and Patrick Steel, whose guidance was instrumental in shaping my scientific path. Profound gratitude also goes to my current mentors at UCL, Professors Geoffrey Wells and Frank Kozielski, for their invaluable support, encouragement, and mentorship. My sincere thanks go as well to Professors Patrick Steel and Paul Denny for nominating me for this award. I am equally indebted to my collaborators and students, whose passion and dedication continue to inspire and motivate me every day. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, of which I am a proud member, and with whom we were honored to receive the prestigious 2023 MRC Impact Prize for Outstanding Team Impact. Finally, my deepest appreciation goes to my family (Estella, Carlos, Elián, Hernán, Andrés, and Sofía), friends (impossible to mention them all), and my partner (Marianna), whose unwavering support has been my greatest source of strength throughout this journey.

Dr. Exequiel O. J. Porta’s reflections and future directions:
The most inspiring moments of my career have arisen through vibrant exchanges with mentors, colleagues, and students, moments that underscore the collaborative nature of science. Progress rarely occurs in isolation; it flourishes in environments where curiosity is nurtured, ideas are constructively challenged, and diverse perspectives are valued. One of our greatest challenges in combating neglected diseases is the persistent scarcity of resources and attention devoted to these conditions. Addressing these demands has renewed global commitment from research institutions, pharmaceutical industries, and public health policymakers. Looking forward, my team and I are particularly excited about harnessing emerging technologies such as PROTACs and further advancing activity-based protein profiling to explore parasite–host interactions and develop patient-centered therapies. To young researchers, my advice is to remain endlessly curious, embrace teamwork, and allow bold questions to guide your scientific journey. Ultimately, my aspiration is to contribute to a future where neglected tropical diseases no longer pose a burden, a future where scientific innovation translates into sustained, equitable improvements in global health. Finally, I am deeply grateful to TropicalMed not only for this prestigious award but also for providing a platform to share my journey, ideas, and aspirations with the broader scientific community.