Announcements
9 September 2026
Meet Us at the 2nd National Conference on Analytical Science and Instrumentation, 30 October–2 November 2026, Wuhan, China
8 September 2026
Meet Us at the 4th International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2027), 29 July–3 August 2027, Kunming, Yunnan, China
We invite you to submit your abstract and participate in the upcoming 4th International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2027), co-organized by MDPI’s Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220), Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X), AI Sensors (ISSN 3042-5999), Micro (ISSN 2673-8023) and Robotics (ISSN 2218-6581). The conference will be held from 29 July to 3 August 2027 in Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Following successful editions in Singapore (2024), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2025), and Jeju, South Korea (2026), which collectively brought together nearly 1,350 participants from over 40 countries, AIS 2027 will continue to bring together leading researchers, engineers, and industry experts to explore emerging technologies and future directions.
Event Chairs:
- Prof. Eric M. Yeatman, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK;
- Prof. Alexander Star, University of Pittsburgh, USA;
- Prof. Wen Jung Li, City University of Hong Kong, China;
- Prof. Chengkuo Lee, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Plenary Speaker:
- Prof. Zhonglin Wang, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China.
(The speaker lineup will be updated continuously.)
Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 26 March 2027;
Abstract acceptance notification: 30 April 2027;
Early Bird registration deadline: 7 June 2027;
Covering author registration deadline: 11 June 2027;
Registration deadline: 30 July 2027.
Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please click: 
To register for the event, please click:
For details regarding abstract submission, poster and slide submission, please refer to the “Instructions for Authors” Section: https://sciforum.net/event/AIS2027/instructions-for-authors.
For more information, you may refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/AIS2027.
For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact ais@mdpi.com.
Please feel free to share information about this conference with your colleagues and students. We look forward to receiving your submissions and learning about your research at AIS 2027!
1 September 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #38 – 2 Million Published Articles, Outstanding Reviewers, Michele Parrinello Award, AIS 2026 & WSF-12
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
MDPI Reaches 2 million Published Articles
This month, MDPI reached an important milestone: the publication of our two-millionth article.
It is a number that would have been difficult to imagine in 1996, when MDPI’s first journal, Molecules, published its first volume of 74 papers. It took 25 years to reach our first million published articles in December 2022, and less than four years to reach the second million in August 2026.
From 74 Papers to Two Million Articles
The milestone also comes during our 30th anniversary year, providing another opportunity to reflect on how both MDPI and Open Access publishing have developed over the past three decades. Today, more than half of the world’s published research is Open Access, while MDPI has grown into a portfolio of journals supported by more than 70,000 Editorial Board Members. In 2025 alone, articles published in MDPI journals received 1.9 billion views and downloads.
While two million is an impressive number, what matters most is what sits behind it. Every article represents research conducted and shared by authors, editorial decisions made by academic editors, expertise contributed by reviewers, and the work of colleagues across MDPI supporting the publication and dissemination of research.
Many of the stories in this month’s CEO Letter reflect these communities. We recognize the contributions of the more than 209,000 reviewers who supported MDPI journals in 2025, celebrate scientific excellence through the inaugural Michele Parrinello Award, and look at how communities continue to develop through AIS 2026 and the 12th World Sustainability Forum.
“In 2025 alone, articles published in MDPI journals received 1.9 billion views and downloads”
Publishing at Scale, with Purpose
Reaching two million articles is an important milestone in MDPI’s history, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with publishing at this scale. As we look ahead, our focus remains on quality, research integrity, strong editorial standards, and providing researchers with reliable and efficient ways to share their work openly with the world.
Thank you to our authors, editors, reviewers, institutional partners, and colleagues around the world who have contributed to this journey.
Impactful Research
Recognizing Scientific Excellence: The Michele Parrinello Award
Supporting researchers means more than publishing and disseminating scientific work. It also means recognizing the researchers, editors, reviewers, and scholars whose contributions advance their fields.
I’m pleased to highlight the inaugural Michele Parrinello Award, which has been awarded to Prof. Ursula Röthlisberger of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. Prof. Röthlisberger was recognized for her contributions to computational chemistry and molecular simulation, particularly her pioneering work in ab initio molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) multiscale simulation methods.
Prof. Röthlisberger leads the Laboratory of Computational Chemistry and Biochemistry at EPFL, developing computational approaches to understand complex chemical, biological, and materials systems at the atomic level. Her work also extends to next-generation photovoltaic materials, demonstrating the interdisciplinary reach of computational science.
The Michele Parrinello Award was established in 2025 to honor Prof. Michele Parrinello's pioneering contributions to atomistic simulation and computational science. Presented biennially, it recognizes senior researchers who have made significant contributions across physics, chemistry, and materials science. The recipient receives a EUR 50,000 prize, commemorative medal, and certificate.
Awarding Scientific Excellence
The selection was overseen by an international Award Committee, chaired by Prof. Dr. Xin-Gao Gong of Fudan University and a group of researchers from institutions in China, Italy, the UK, and the USA. Nominations were evaluated based on rigor, integrity, and academic excellence. In announcing the winner, Prof. Gong highlighted the impact of Prof. Röthlisberger’s research across multiple scientific disciplines, alongside her contributions to education and leadership within the international research community.
Recognizing Contributions Across the Research Community
The Michele Parrinello Award is part of MDPI’s broader commitment to recognizing excellence across different disciplines, contributions, and career stages.
Our journal awards include:
- Best Paper Awards – recognizing outstanding published research
- Young Investigator Awards – supporting exceptional early-career researchers
- Best PhD Thesis Awards – recognizing promising emerging scholars
- Outstanding Reviewer Awards – acknowledging the essential contribution of peer reviewers
- Travel Awards – helping early-career researchers participate in international conferences
- Editor of Distinction Awards – recognizing exceptional contributions from Editorial Board Members.
Alongside these journal awards, MDPI supports flagship initiatives including the Tu Youyou Award, the World Sustainability Award, the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, and now the Michele Parrinello Award.
Learn More:
Inside MDPI
Recognizing the People Behind Peer Review: MDPI’s 2025 Outstanding Reviewer Awards
Behind every published article is a network of people contributing their expertise to the scholarly record. Among them, reviewers play an essential role, providing independent assessment, feedback, and subject expertise that help editors make informed decisions and authors build on their research.
In 2025, more than 209,000 individuals contributed their expertise as reviewers for MDPI journals. This represents an enormous contribution of time and knowledge from researchers around the world, occurring often alongside their own research, teaching, and professional responsibilities.
I’m pleased to share the recipients of MDPI’s 2025 Outstanding Reviewer Awards, recognizing reviewers who have shown great dedication, expertise, and responsiveness throughout the peer-review process.
Outstanding Reviewers
As at July 2026, 181 MDPI journals have presented Outstanding Reviewer Awards to 412 recipients, highlighting their work across disciplines ranging from biology, chemistry, engineering, and medicine to environmental sciences, public health, and the social sciences. To learn more about the list of outstanding reviewers, please visit the following pages:
- Biology and Life Sciences;
- Business and Economics;
- Chemistry and Materials Science;
- Computer Science and Mathematics;
- Engineering;
- Environmental and Earth Sciences;
- Medicine and Pharmacology;
- Physical Sciences;
- Public Health and Healthcare;
- Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
While these awards highlight a select group of outstanding contributors, they also create an opportunity to acknowledge our entire reviewer community. Peer review depends on researchers sharing their knowledge and experience with others. Their feedback can improve manuscripts, support editors in making informed decisions, and contribute to maintaining the quality and integrity of the scientific record.
“Reviewers play an essential role, providing independent assessment, feedback, and subject expertise”
Supporting the Academic Community
The Outstanding Reviewer Awards are part of MDPI’s awards program, through which our journals recognize contributions across the academic community, including those from researchers, early-career scholars, reviewers, and Editorial Board Members.
Bringing these contributions to the forefront is important because much of the work that supports scholarly publishing happens behind the scenes. The time, expertise, and critical feedback provided by reviewers are essential to a rigorous and constructive peer-review process.
As MDPI celebrates its 30th anniversary, I would like to thank the more than 209,000 reviewers who contributed to our journals in 2025 and to congratulate the 412 Outstanding Reviewer Award recipients recognized for going above and beyond in supporting their respective research communities.
Coming Together for Science
AIS 2026: Growing a Community Around AI and Sensor Research
One of the most rewarding aspects of our conference program is seeing scientific communities develop over time. A conference may begin by bringing together researchers around an emerging field, but with each edition it can create new relationships, collaborations, and opportunities for researchers to reconnect and exchange ideas.
The 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2026) is a good example of this growth.
“What stands out is the community developing around AIS”
This year’s conference took place from 2 to 7 August in Jeju, South Korea, welcoming over 560 participants – an increase of 225 attendees compared with 2025 and 160 compared with the inaugural conference of 2024. Across the program, participants contributed 373 presentations and 109 poster displays, including four plenary presentations, 52 keynote speeches, 192 invited talks, and 125 oral presentations.
Building an International Research Community
Beyond the numbers, what stands out is the community developing around AIS. Many researchers have now participated in all three editions of the conference, with delegates already expressing their intention to return for AIS 2027. The program also brought together established researchers from across the field for discussions on AI sensors and emerging sensing technologies.
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Building Engagement in South Korea
This year’s conference reflects our continued engagement with the research community in South Korea. AIS 2026 welcomed 150 participants from the Korean academic community and strengthened our cooperation with the Korean Sensors Society.
This is an important part of what our conferences can achieve. By bringing researchers together in person, we create opportunities to present the latest research and build relationships between scholars, institutions, societies, and at MDPI that can continue after an event concludes.
Looking Ahead
With this momentum, AIS 2027 is planned for 29 July to 3 August 2027 in Kunming, Yunnan, China, with the participation of an international group of Conference Chairs already confirmed from institutions in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.
Three editions into AIS, the continued growth of this conference shows what is possible when we invest consistently in scientific communities. The objective is not simply to organize larger conferences each year but to create spaces where researchers return, new collaborations develop, and scientific communities become stronger.
Many thanks to the Conference Chairs, speakers, sponsors, supporting organizations, participants, and all MDPI colleagues who contributed to AIS 2026. Growing an international event takes years of relationship-building and considerable work behind the scenes, and this year’s conference reflects that collective effort.
Closing Thoughts
World Sustainability Forum 12: Coming Together for a More Sustainable Future
Sustainability challenges rarely sit within a single discipline, institution, or country. Addressing them requires researchers, policymakers, industry, and communities to exchange ideas and work across traditional boundaries.
This is one of the ideas behind the World Sustainability Forum (WSF), which has now reached its 12th edition.
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From 21 to 24 August, the 12th World Sustainability Forum (WSF-12) took place in Hong Kong, bringing together more than 300 experts, scholars, policymakers, and industry representatives from over 100 universities and research institutions across 53 countries and regions. The Forum received 543 abstract submissions, showcasing international interest in sustainability research.
Connecting Research, Policy, and Industry
Across four days, the scientific program featured 230 onsite presentations, including plenary, keynote, invited and oral presentations, together with 53 poster presentations. The program also included a plenary panel discussion, Connecting Sustainability Solutions Across Sectors, presenting perspectives from academia, government, and industry.
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This interdisciplinary exchange is particularly important in sustainability research. Challenges relating to our cities, environment, energy systems, economies, and societies are increasingly interconnected, and progress depends on creating opportunities for different disciplines and sectors to learn from one another.
WSF-12 also generated opportunities for industry participation. As a Strategic Partner, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) E-Light International Communication Brand contributed to industry engagement throughout the Forum.
MDPI Sustainability Foundation Awards
Another highlight of WSF-12 was the presentation of three MDPI Sustainability Foundation Awards, celebrating the 2025 and 2026 winners of the World Sustainability Award and the 2026 winner of the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award.
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Recognizing researchers and emerging leaders in their fields is an important part of supporting scientific communities. These awards are an opportunity to celebrate individual achievements and highlight research that contributes to a more sustainable future.
Looking Ahead to WSF-13
After twelve editions, WSF is a great example of how a scientific community can develop over time. This is also what we hope to achieve through MDPI’s broader conference program. Scientific meetings should be more than individual events: by investing consistently in research communities, we can create spaces where people return, new relationships develop, different perspectives meet, and collaboration continues beyond the conference itself.
The next chapter is already taking shape. The 13th World Sustainability Forum(WSF-13) will take place from 8 to 11 June 2027 in Nice, France. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Adel Ben Youssef and organized by MDPI and the journal Sustainability in collaboration with Université Côte d’Azur, WSF-13 will continue the Forum’s interdisciplinary approach across the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
Thank You
Many thanks to the Conference Chairs, speakers, strategic partners, sponsors, supporting organizations, participants, and all MDPI colleagues who contributed to WSF-12. Events of this scale require considerable coordination and collaboration behind the scenes, and the continued growth of WSF reflects the collective efforts of the MDPI Conference Department and a global community committed to sustainability research, innovation, and collaboration.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
31 August 2026
Meet Us at the 28th Annual Conference of the Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology & 17th International Conference of the Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology (CSMNT2026), 16–18 October 2026, Shaoxing, China
27 August 2026
Meet Us at the BMES 2026 Annual Meeting, 21–24 October 2026, Orlando, USA
25 August 2026
Summary of the 3rd International Conference on AI Sensors and Transducers (AIS 2026) Held on 2–7 August 2026
19 August 2026
Meet Us at The 30th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (µTAS 2026), 18–22 October 2026, Granada, Spain
12 August 2026
Micromachines Webinar | Biofabrication Horizons, 18 September 2026
A welcome message from the webinar Chair:
It is my pleasure to launch the new webinar series of the “Biofabrication and Tissue Engineering” Section of Micromachines (MDPI). This monthly series is dedicated to fostering global dialogue and collaboration at the forefront of our rapidly evolving discipline.
Each webinar will spotlight groundbreaking advances in 3D and 4D bioprinting, next-generation bioinks, organs-on-chips and microphysiological systems, scaffold-free tissue assembly, advanced biomaterials (including stimuli-responsive hydrogels and decellularized matrices), microfluidics, hybrid micro/nanofabrication techniques, and translational strategies that bridge the gap between bench and bedside.
By convening leading researchers, clinicians, and industry innovators, we highlight the latest discoveries in disease modeling, drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and the commercialization of biofabricated constructs, ultimately accelerating the delivery of transformative solutions to patients and society.
Micromachines is proud to provide this platform to stimulate interdisciplinary exchange, amplify emerging voices, and drive the field toward clinically impactful innovations in personalized healthcare.
I warmly invite you to join us, share your work, and be part of this exciting journey.
Date: 18 September 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. PDT | 12:00 p.m. EDT | 6:00 p.m. CEST
Webinar ID: 848 4225 6687
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Register now for free!
Program:
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Speaker and Presentation |
Time (PDT) |
Time (EDT) |
Time (CEST) |
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Dr. Mohsen Akbari |
9:00–9:10 a.m. |
12:00–12:10 p.m. |
6:00–6:10 p.m. |
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Dr. Christos Boutopoulos |
9:10–9:40 a.m. |
12:10–12:40 p.m. |
6:10–6:40 p.m. |
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Q&A Session |
9:40–9:50 a.m. |
12:40–12:50 p.m. |
6:40–6:50 p.m. |
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Dr. Mohsen Akbari |
9:50–10:00 a.m. |
12:50–1:00 p.m. |
6:50–7:00 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.
Webinar Chair and Keynote Speaker:
- Dr. Mohsen Akbari, University of Victoria, Canada;
- Dr. Christos Boutopoulos, University of Montreal, Canada.
Relevant Special Issue:
“Advances in Bioprototyping Techniques”
Guest Editor: Dr. Luciano Paulino Silva
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027
Relevant Topical Collection:
“Biofabrication Frontiers”
Collection Editor: Dr. Mohsen Akbari
“B2: Biofabrication and Tissue Engineering”
A Section of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X).
10 August 2026
Meet Us at the Eurosensors 2026, 6–9 September 2026, Zurich, Switzerland
10 August 2026
Advancing Academic Publishing with MDPI: Gold-Tier Sponsorship of the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) and Academic Publishing Workshop, 18 August 2026
MDPI is pleased to participate in the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) 2026 at the University of Alberta as a gold-tier sponsor by hosting an Academic Publishing Workshop for graduate students and early career researchers. As a premier platform for showcasing research and fostering academic collaboration, FEGRS brings together emerging scholars from across engineering disciplines to exchange ideas, advance innovation, and to network within professional and academic spaces.
The interactive workshop will provide a practical introduction to scientific publishing and the skills needed for publication success. Participants will begin with an overview of the evolution of scholarly publishing before exploring today's publishing landscape. The second part of the workshop will focus on the peer review process, offering a step-by-step guide to navigating manuscript review and best practices for conducting peer reviews. Each session will conclude with a dedicated Q and A segment, allowing attendees to discuss publishing questions and challenges with experienced publishing professionals. In addition, MDPI representatives will be present at the Industry Mixer on August 18, engaging with participants to share insights into MDPI and opportunities to contribute as authors, reviewers, and editors.
By supporting educational initiatives such as FEGRS, MDPI remains committed to promoting transparency, accessibility, and excellence in scholarly communication while empowering the next generation of researchers to maximize the impact of their work.
For additional information on the event and our sponsorship, please see the event website here.
Date: 18 August 2026
Time: 14:30–15:30 (ET)
Venue: University of Alberta, Faculty of Engineering, DICE 8-207
Schedule:
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Program |
Time |
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Scientific Publishing: An Introduction |
14:30–15:00 |
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Responding to Peer Reviewers |
15:00–15:30 |
MDPI Speakers:
Moderator and Panelist: Dr. Barnaby Crook, Regional Engagement Editor, MDPI
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Dr. Barnaby Crook completed an MA in philosophy and neuroscience at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021 and a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence at the University of Bayreuth in 2025. After moving from Germany to Toronto, Dr. Crook began working for MDPI as an Assistant Editor with the journal IJERPH. He now works as a Regional Engagement Editor for North America. In this role, Dr. Crook builds and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fostering collaboration and developing partnerships. He is passionate about scientific communication and research integrity. |
Panelist: Ms. Diana Tosato, Deputy Managing Editor, MDPI
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Ms. Diana Tosato holds an MSc in development and environmental sciences and a second MSc in biology from Brock University. After completing her studies, she joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the journals Remote Sensing and Heritage. She currently serves as Deputy Managing Editor for journals across North and South America. In addition, Diana serves as External Affairs Coordinator for MDPI, with a focus on Brazil, where she develops and maintains relationships with academic stakeholders, fosters collaboration, and supports strategic partnerships within the research community. |
Organizers:
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The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering Graduate Research Symposium (FEGRS) is an annual event where graduate students can present their research to their colleagues and professors across all disciplines. This event gives many early-career researchers a place to present their ideas to an interdisciplinary audience without the pressures of larger conferences. Additionally, multiple career development workshops are organized with industry partners and professional organizations, and the event ends with an Industry–Student Mixer. The whole event is organized and planned by graduate student volunteers. |
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A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Based in Basel, Switzerland, MDPI’s mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines. |
