Announcements

MDPI is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Best Paper Awards, celebrating exceptional research for its scientific merit and broad impact. After a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Academic Editors, this year’s awards showcase papers that stand out for their innovation, relevance, and high-quality presentation.

Out of a highly competitive pool, 396 winning papers have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. We congratulate these authors for pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.

At MDPI, we are dedicated to broadening the reach of innovative science. To learn more about the award-winning papers and explore research projects in your field of study, please visit the following links:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Business and Economics;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Computer Sciences and Mathematics;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities;
• Physical Sciences;
• Public Health and Healthcare.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the global research community and enhance academic dialogue, MDPI journals regularly host award programs across diverse scientific disciplines. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and whose work drives the advancement of their fields.

Explore the Best Paper Awards open for participation, please click here.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

We are extremely honored to announce that Dr. Tomás Soria Biurrun has been awarded the 2026 Conference Travel Award by Alloys (ISSN: 2674-063X)!

This Travel Award will cover the expenses for Dr. Tomás Soria Biurrun to attend the WorldPM2026 conference held in Canada, where he will present his latest research findings and engage in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with foreign experts.

Name: Dr. Tomás Soria Biurrun
Affiliation: CEIT—Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Spain
Research interests: Cemented Carbides, Multicomponent alloy binders, Critical Raw Materials, Thermodynamic modelling, Recycling of cemented carbides

The following is a short interview with Dr. Tomás Soria Biurrun:

1. Could you please briefly introduce your research interests? What inspired you to pursue this research field?
   My main research interests lie in the field of cemented carbides, the design of new multicomponent alloy binders, and the study of their sintering behavior and mechanical performance. Part of my work focuses on using thermodynamic and kinetic modelling tools to design and optimize alloy compositions and predict phase equilibria during processing. I was drawn to this field because it combines fundamental materials science with strong industrial relevance.
2. How has receiving this award impacted your career? What are your future plans?
   Receiving this award has increased the visibility of my work within the cemented carbides community. It has strengthened my confidence in pursuing advanced alloy design strategies and has opened new opportunities for collaboration.
   In the future, I plan to continue developing innovative binder alloys for cemented carbides, combining experimental work with computational design. I also aim to expand collaborations with both academic groups and industrial partners to accelerate the development of next‑generation hard materials.
3. Have you encountered any difficulties during your research, and how did you overcome them? What do you think is the secret to a fulfilling research life?
   Working with complex multicomponent alloys often brings challenges such as controlling composition, understanding phase transformations, and achieving reproducible sintering behavior. I have overcome these difficulties by combining careful experimental work with thermodynamic modelling, which helps guide alloy selection and interpret microstructural evolution. Collaboration with colleagues and industry partners has also been essential.
   I believe that curiosity, persistence, and a collaborative mindset are key to a fulfilling research life. Being open to learning from others and integrating different approaches makes research both productive and enjoyable.
4. Which research topics do you think will receive particular attention from the research community in the coming years?
   In the field of cemented carbides, I expect several topics to gain significant attention. One of the most pressing issues is the increasing concern around critical raw materials, particularly tungsten and cobalt. The current high price and supply chain vulnerability of WC are pushing both industry and academia to explore alternative materials and recycling strategies.
   I also see growing interest in applications related to the nuclear and defense sectors. These areas demand materials with exceptional thermal stability, radiation resistance, and mechanical robustness. As a result, research on microstructure control, high-temperature performance, and advanced sintering routes will continue to expand.
   Overall, sustainability, strategic materials, and high-performance applications will shape much of the research landscape in the coming years.
5. Do you have any other suggestions on how the Alloys journal can further support young researchers and the academic community?
   The journal could further support young researchers by promoting Special Issues dedicated to early-career scientists. Strengthening the connection between academia and industry through thematic issues or invited perspectives would also be valuable.
6. What are your thoughts on the open access (OA) publication model?
   Open access is essential for ensuring that scientific knowledge is widely available, especially for researchers or institutions with limited access to subscription journals. It increases visibility, accelerates dissemination, and promotes collaboration. At the same time, it is important to ensure that publication fees do not become a barrier for early-career researchers. When accessibility and quality are balanced, OA is a very effective model for advancing science.

We are extremely honored to announce that Dr. Shuyan Zhang has been awarded the 2026 Conference Travel Award by Alloys (ISSN: 2674-063X)!

This Travel Award will support Dr. Shuyan Zhang to attend the 7th China Symposium on Amorphous Physics and Materials to be held in China in 2026. He will present his latest research findings and engage in in-depth exchanges and cooperation with domestic and international peers.

Name: Dr. Shuyan Zhang
Affiliation: Hangzhou Institute of National Extremely-Weak Magnetic Field Infrastructure, China
Research interests: Composition design and optimization, microstructure control, and multi-performance synergy improvement of novel disordered alloys (including medium-/high-entropy alloys, amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, etc.)

We interviewed Dr. Shuyan Zhang about his current research and future directions.

1. Could you briefly introduce your research field? And what motivated you to devote yourself to this research area?
My research interests mainly lie in developing new disordered alloys that can accommodate multiple performance characteristics in complex marine environments, particularly in the design and performance study of medium-/high-entropy alloys and amorphous alloys. This is because I graduated from the Ocean College of Zhejiang University with a doctoral degree; after graduation, I conducted postdoctoral research at Beihang University. Out of my love for the ocean, I firmly chose this research field.

2. How has winning this award affected your career? What are your future plans?
Receiving the Travel Award from the Alloys journal has had numerous positive impacts on me, mainly manifested in the following three aspects:

• Academic recognition and confidence boost: By the end of 2025, I will complete my postdoctoral research at Beihang University. During this crucial transitional period this year, the awards from major international journals are a strong endorsement of my previous research work (particularly in alloy design, microstructure characterization, and performance optimization). This not only proves the value of the research direction I chose but also greatly enhances my confidence in independently conducting cutting-edge explorations. It tells me that my work is attracting the attention of my peers, which is the most precious psychological construction for young scholars.
• Expand international perspective and cooperation network: The primary function of the Travel Award is to fund my participation in top-level academic conferences in the field (such as the 7th National Conference on Amorphous Physics and Materials in 2026). This is not merely “going to the conference”, but rather “learning” and “communicating”. I plan to utilize this fund to listen to the latest academic presentations by top scholars in the field, with particular focus on high-entropy alloys, amorphous alloys, and the cutting-edge developments in alloy computational simulation. More importantly, I hope to take this opportunity to establish face-to-face connections with the research teams I am interested in, laying the foundation for further in-depth research.
• Enhancing personal academic visibility: As an award winner, this is already a remarkable label. It helps me stand out at conferences, attracting more peers to listen to my presentation, thereby more effectively promoting my current research results on multi-component amorphous alloys. This is highly beneficial for building an academic reputation and accumulating citations.

3. Did you encounter any difficulties during your research process, and how did you overcome them? What do you think is the secret to a happy research life?
Of course, I did. I would like to sincerely thank my family for their consistent and unwavering support throughout my academic journey. I am also deeply grateful to my mentor for his continuous guidance and cultivation, which have had a crucial impact on my research work.
When facing difficulties, I would seek help from my friends, and I am also grateful for their selfless assistance. The secret to a happy research life, in my opinion, is to keep a calm mindset and strive to do the best. Believe that hard work will be rewarded, and efforts will definitely pay off.

4. Which research topics do you think will receive particular attention from the research community in the coming years?
As for myself, my research field is high-entropy and amorphous alloys. Personally, I believe that multi-component metallic materials can currently achieve a balance of many excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Therefore, I think the research direction of multi-component alloys will definitely have great potential in the future.

5. Do you have any other suggestions on how the Alloys journal can further support young researchers and the academic community?
I believe that the Alloys journal can enhance its support for young researchers and the broader academic community through the following measures:

• Establish the “Young Editor” or “Early-Career Editor” program: Invite newly appointed PIs (such as scholars who have received a Travel Award a few years ago) to join the Editorial Board to participate in the initial manuscript screening and the organization of Special Issues. This not only reduces the burden on senior editors but also enables young scholars to accumulate experience in the core link of academic publishing and enhance their sense of belonging to the journal.
• Regularly hold “Online Symposium for Young Scholars”: Leveraging MDPI's powerful online publishing platform, we invite previous Travel Award winners and outstanding young authors to organize small-scale, high-frequency online thematic discussions. The topics can be more focused, such as “Structural Characterization and Performance Enhancement of High-Entropy Alloys” and “Optimization of Heat Treatment Processes for Additive Manufacturing Alloys”, allowing young colleagues worldwide to have in-depth exchanges.
• Establish a “Career Development” column or blog: On the journal's official website or social media platforms, invite experienced scholars or previous award winners to share their experiences in career planning, fund application, laboratory establishment, etc. Such soft content is highly attractive to doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows who are in a confused state.

6. What are your thoughts on the open access (OA) publishing model?
In my opinion, the greatest contribution of the OA model lies in its complete dismantling of the barriers to academic information, perfectly aligning with the collaborative spirit of modern scientific research. Specifically, it significantly enhances the visibility and influence of research: for young scholars like me, what we most desire is that our work is seen, discussed, and cited. Under the traditional subscription model, my papers might be locked behind the paywalls of university libraries, and many colleagues (especially those in the industrial sector) would not be able to access them. However, the OA model means that as long as the internet is accessible, anyone can instantly and freely read my research results. This not only increases the downloads and citations of the papers but also accelerates the process of applying and verifying scientific discoveries. Moreover, in the field of metal materials, many studies ultimately serve the needs of public welfare. Publishing research funded by public fund agencies through OA precisely embodies the principle of “taking from the people and using for the people”. OA enables the research results funded by taxpayers’ money to truly return to the public domain.

As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI maintains rigorous publication standards. This mission relies on the dedication and expertise of our reviewers, who invest their time and knowledge to ensure the quality and integrity of the research we publish.

In 2025, over 209,000 reviewers contributed to the peer-review process at MDPI, providing more than 1.3 million review reports for our journals. To express our gratitude, MDPI’s Reviewer Recognition Program highlights reviewers across over 400 journals, featuring those who have assessed at least one manuscript and agreed to be acknowledged.

In addition, MDPI has identified its Top 1000 Reviewers of 2024 to recognize those whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful evaluations were particularly outstanding.

Many journals have also established Outstanding Reviewer Awards to honor our reviewers’ commitment to publication excellence. Together with the Exceptional Reviewer List, we showcase the importance of reviewers’ work and their time and dedication.

These initiatives serve to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude towards the whole reviewer community. In recognition of their contributions, we also welcome new researchers to join this community. If you would like to contribute to open access publishing, learn more about the reviewers’ benefits and sign up to join us.

MDPI is pleased to announce our participation in the 2026 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit, which will be held from 26 April to 1 May 2026, in Honolulu, USA.

The conference will convene researchers, scientists, and industry professionals from around the world for a cross-disciplinary collaboration and scientific exchange. The Meeting & Exhibit will feature breakthroughs in areas such as sustainable manufacturing, advanced characterization, and energy materials—driving forward innovation on a global scale.

MDPI is committed to supporting and disseminating high-quality research in the field of materials science.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the event:

• Materials;
• Nanomaterials;
• Construction Materials;
• Crystals;
• Energies;
• Fibers;
• Gels;
• J. Compos. Sci.;
• Physchem;
• Polymers;
• QuBS;
• Reactions;
• Solids;
• Textiles;
• Coatings;
• Electronic Materials;
• Adhesives;
• Alloys;
• Applied Nano;
• Membranes.

If you are attending the 2026 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit, we warmly invite you to visit our booth. Our representatives will be available to discuss publishing opportunities, open access benefits, and our commitment to advancing materials research.

For more information about the conference, please visit the official website here.

Conference: The 10th National Young Scientists Forum on Additive Manufacturing
Date: 17–19 April 2026
Location: Beijing, China

The National Young Scientists Forum on Additive Manufacturing was first hosted by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2015. Since then, it has enjoyed nine successful iterations. Over the past decade, this forum has become one of the most influential academic platforms for young researchers in China’s additive manufacturing community.

The upcoming forum will focus on the theme “Frontier Interdisciplinary Integration and Innovation in Additive Manufacturing”. Experts and scholars in the field are invited to gather in Beijing to exchange ideas on the latest scientific advances and explore opportunities for future innovation and collaboration.

MDPI will be attending this event as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at this conference:

• JMMP;
• Metals;
• Inventions;
• Materials;
• Metrology;
• Alloys;
• Construction Materials;
• Technologies.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about this event, please visit https://meeting.cmes.org/?sid=1669&mid=417&v=100.