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: 32nd International Cartographic Conference (ICC 2025)
Organization: Canadian Institute of Geomatics
Date: 17–22 Aug 2025
Location: Vancouver, Canada

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the International Cartographic Conference is delighted to announce that the 32nd International Cartographic Conference is coming to Canada and will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 17 to 22 August 2025. The theme for this conference is “Mapping the Future: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainability,” and it will be hosted by the Canadian Institute of Geomatics (CIG). The conference aims to serve as a forum where delegates can gather insights on scientific advancements, exchange expertise, and connect with peers in their respective domains.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• IJGI;
• Remote Sensing;
• Geomatics;
• Land;
• Earth;
• Forests;
• Imaging;
• Geographies;
• Atmosphere;
• Hydrology;
• Drones;
• Heritage;
• Data;
• Urban Science;
• Sustainability.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://icc2025.com/.

Conference Name: The RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2025
Organization: Royal Geographical Society
Date: 26–29 August 2025
Place: Birmingham, UK

We will attend the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2025, which will take place at the University of Birmingham, and online, from 26 to 29 August 2025.

The RGS-IBG Annual International Conference regularly attracts over 2,000 geographers from around the world. The Royal Geographical Society serves an exceptionally wide range of public and professional audiences, including their 16,000 members. The Conference will be chaired by Prof. Patricia Noxolo (University of Birmingham, UK), and focuses on the theme of “Geographies of Creativity/Creative Geographies”. With over 400 sessions, we will hear from Black influencers working creatively with geographical ideas; from researchers using dance and storytelling; and from Midlands-based artists who will discuss how their sense of place contributes to their work.

The following open access journals will be represented at the event:

• Land;
• IJGI;
• Sustainability;
• Conservation;
• Earth;
• Forests;
• Geographies;
• GeoHazards;
• Geomatics;
• Hydrology;
• Quaternary;
• Remote Sensing;
• Soil Systems;
• Urban Science;
• Climate.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have!

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.rgs.org/research/annual-international-conference.

We are pleased to share that Hydrology (ISSN: 2306-5338) was awarded an increased Impact Factor of 3.2 in the 2024 Journal Citation Reports™ released by Clarivate™ in June 2025. Hydrology ranks in Q2 (42 among 131 titles) in the “Water Resources” category.

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations received in 2024 to all publications in the journal from 2022 and 2023 by the total number of citable publications from those same years.

To learn more, visit our journal statistics website for detailed metrics or check out our news article for general information.

The support and dedication of all the editors, reviewers, authors, and readers are an integral part of the journal’s performance. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to the journal.

MDPI will be attending the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America 2025, which will be held in Baltimore, MD, USA, from 10 to 15 August 2025.

The Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America invites all ecologists to come together and share new knowledge, learn from one another, meet old friends and make new ones, and grow professionally. This year’s meeting will emphasize society’s mission of supporting ecologists throughout their careers. The emphasis recognizes the need for us to continually invest in all the people who advance the science and practice of ecology. Among many other aspects of professional development, we are planning programming and inviting contributions that consider the transformational potential of effective mentorship.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Diversity;
• Forests;
• Sustainability;
• Ecologies;
• Land;
• Plants;
• Hydrology;
• Earth.

If you plan on attending this conference, feel free to stop by our booth at #201. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please see the following link: https://www.esa.org/baltimore2025/.

We are pleased to announce that the Young Women in Engineering Award is open for nominations. This award was established to acknowledge the achievements of young women investigators in the field of engineering and to inspire young women to consider research and careers in engineering. All the nominations will be assessed by an Award Evaluation Committee, and winners will be announced online on 8 March 2026.

Prizes:

• CHF 1000;
• An electronic certificate;
• A voucher to waive the article processing charges (APCs) for one submission to a journal within the field of engineering (subject to peer review)—valid for one year.

Number of winners: 2.

Eligibility and requirements:

• This role is designated for female candidates;
• Must have received their Ph.D. no more than 10 years prior to 31 December 2025;
• Must have produced groundbreaking research and made a significant contribution to the advancement of engineering;
• Must be nominated by senior scientists.

List of documents for nomination:

• Detailed curriculum vitae, including an updated publication list and a list of the researcher’s own research grants;
• Scanned copy of doctorate certificate;
• Signed nomination letters from two established senior scientists.

Schedule:

Open for nominations: 23 June 2025;
Nomination deadline: 30 November 2025;
Winner announcement: 8 March 2026.

Nominations and contact:

All nomination materials and award-related communications must be submitted via our official email: ywe-award@mdpi.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Young Women in Engineering Award Team

Water is a critical component of life on earth. Its vital role in areas including climate, bodily function, and energy generation makes water one of the most important resources on the planet. Water research encompasses a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Hydrologists study the distribution, availability, usage and movement of ground water, while oceanographers study tides, currents, and the composition of oceans. Water purification and water resource management are also pertinent topics for water-scarce regions in the world.

MDPI’s cluster of water resource journals is dedicated to the rapid dissemination of contemporary research on water and other related resources. MDPI’s oldest journal in this cluster, Water (IF 3.0), has published over 20,000 papers since 2009, conveying the latest research on water to its broad, multidisciplinary readership. This cluster also offers more specialized outlets for researchers focused on hydrology, marine science, oceanography, and coastal research, enabling their work to reach a more targeted audience.

The seven participating journals are as follows:

• Water (ISSN: 2073-4441) covers all aspects of water, including the ecology and management of water resources. Water is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Jean-Luc PROBST (University of Toulouse, France);
• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE, ISSN: 2077-1312) focuses on research in the fields of ocean engineering, coastal engineering, physical oceanography, geological oceanography, marine biology, and marine environmental science. JMSE is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi (Oceans Graduate School and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, Australia);
• Hydrology (ISSN: 2306-5338) encompasses all aspects of hydrology, including groundwater, surface water, soil water, and atmospheric water, as well as snow and ice. Papers advancing the quantitative, qualitative, and ecological aspects of hydrology together with water management are welcome. Hydrology is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Ezio Todini (Italian Hydrological Society, Italy);
• Resources (ISSN: 2079-9276) focuses on natural resources; mineral and geo-resources; land and ecological resources; plant and animal resources; water resources; energy resources; food and bio-resources; resource conservation, reuse, and recycling; sustainable resource management; resource stewardship, governance, and policy; circular economy and new business models; modeling resource flows and impacts. Resources is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Benjamin McLellan (Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Japan);
• Oceans (ISSN: 2673-1924) is specifically addressed to studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services. It publishes original research papers, critical reviews, short communications, and commentary. There is no restriction on the length of its papers. Oceans is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Beatriz Morales-Nin (Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies CSIC-UIB, Palma de Mallorca, Spain);
• Limnological Review (ISSN: 2300-7575) covers all different subdisciplines of freshwater environment studies. Our aim is to provide a platform for publication, information, and debate, encompassing all areas which fall within the scope of freshwater science. Limnological Review is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Piotr Rzymski (Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland);
• Coasts (ISSN: 2673-964X) focuses on coastal engineering, management, conservation, biology, and ecology. Coasts is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Francisco Taveira Pinto (Civil Engineering and Georesources Department, University of Porto, Portugal and CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Marine Energy and Hydraulic Structures, Portugal).

	Launch year	Impact Factor (2024)	CiteScore (2024)	First Decision (median)	APC
	2009	3.0	6.0	17.5	CHF 2600
	2013	2.8	5.0	16.4	CHF 2600
	2014	3.2	5.9	15.3	CHF 1800
	2012	3.2	7.2	26.1	CHF 1600
	2020	1.6	3.5	23.3	CHF 1600
	2010	/	1.4	21.8	CHF 1000
	2021	/	/	23.2	CHF 1000

MDPI’s Mission and Values:
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. MDPI’s guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

• Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
• Timeliness and Efficiency—Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;
• Simplicity—Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
• High Quality Service—Supporting scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net to make a positive impact on research;
• Flexibility—Adapting and developing new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;
• Rooted in Sustainability—Ensuring the long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics and Special Issues:

• “Application of Smart Technologies in Water Resources Management, 2nd Edition”;
• “Advanced Approaches in Sustainable Water Resources Cycle Management”;
• “Research on Water Supply Systems and on the Treatment and Recovery of Wastewater and Stormwater”.

Selected Articles:
Water
“Trees in Sponge Cities—A Systematic Review of Trees as a Component of Blue-Green Infrastructure, Vegetation Engineering Principles, and Stormwater Management”

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
“Modes of Operation and Forcing in Oil Spill Modeling: State-of-Art, Deficiencies and Challenges”

Hydrology
“A Machine Learning Approach to Map the Vulnerability of Groundwater Resources to Agricultural Contamination”

Resources
“Synthesis Methods, Properties, and Modifications of Biochar-Based Materials for Wastewater Treatment: A Review”

Oceans
“The Abundance of Microplastics in the World’s Oceans: A Systematic Review”

Limnological Review
“The Possible Use of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Signal and Spectral Analysis to Identify Habitat Condition of Aquatic Plants”

Coasts
“Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Fish Fauna of a Low-Inflow Estuary following a Mass Mortality Event and Natural and Artificial Bar Breaches”

Desertification and drought continue to threaten ecosystems, food systems, and livelihoods around the world. As climate pressures rise, the need to protect and restore our land becomes increasingly urgent. The 2025 theme, “Restore Land, Unlock Opportunities”, shines a light on the vast potential that lies in healthy, resilient landscapes—from boosting food security to driving economic growth and environmental sustainability.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought calls on all of us—researchers, policymakers, and communities—to work together toward land restoration and drought resilience. Scientific research plays a critical role in shaping real-world solutions and inspiring action where it is needed most.

To support this global effort, MDPI is proud to feature selected articles from Atmosphere, Biology, Climate, Conservation, Ecologies, Environments, Hydrology, Land and Sustainability. These contributions explore key issues around land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, helping to unlock the knowledge and innovation needed for a more sustainable future.

“Response Characteristics of Biological Soil Crusts Under Different Afforestation Measures in Alpine Sandy Land”
by Shaobu Du, Huichun Xie, Gaosen Zhang, Feng Qiao, Guigong Geng and Chongyi E
Biology 2025, 14(5), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050532

“Does Participatory Forest Management Reduce Deforestation and Enhance Forest Cover? A Comparative Study of Selected Forest Sites in Adaba-Dodola, Ethiopia”
by Lemma Tiki, Jumanne M. Abdallah, Kristina Marquardt and Motuma Tolera
Ecologies 2024, 5(4), 647-663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5040038

“Estimating Non-Stationary Extreme-Value Probability Distribution Shifts and Their Parameters Under Climate Change Using L-Moments and L-Moment Ratio Diagrams: A Case Study of Hydrologic Drought in the Goat River Near Creston, British Columbia”
by Isaac Dekker, Kristian L. Dubrawski, Pearce Jones and Ryan MacDonald
Hydrology 2024, 11(9), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11090154

“Drought Dynamics and Drought Hazard Assessment in Southwest Bulgaria”
by Nina Nikolova, Kalina Radeva, Leonid Todorov and Simeon Matev
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15080888

“Analysis of Precipitation and Drought in the Main Southeastern Iberian River Headwaters (1952–2021)”
by María José Estrela, David Corell, Juan Javier Miró and Raquel Niclós
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020166

“Ecovoltaics: Maintaining Native Plants and Wash Connectivity inside a Mojave Desert Solar Facility Leads to Favorable Growing Conditions”
by Tamara Wynne-Sison, Dale A. Devitt and Stanley D. Smith
Land 2023, 12(10), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101950

“Assessment of Precipitation and Hydrological Droughts in South America through Statistically Downscaled CMIP6 Projections”
by Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira, Michelle Simões Reboita, João Gabriel Martins Ribeiro and Christie André de Souza
Climate 2023, 11(8), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11080166

“Standardized Description of Degraded Land Reclamation Actions and Mapping of Actors’ Roles: A Key Step for Action in Combatting Desertification (Niger)”
by Abou-Soufianou Sadda, Maud Loireau, Nouhou Salifou Jangorzo, Hassane Bil-Assanou Issoufou and Jean-Luc Chotte
Land 2023, 12(5), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12051064

“CiXTH29 and CiLEA4 Role in Water Stress Tolerance in Cichorium intybus Varieties”
by Monica De Caroli, Patrizia Rampino, Lorenzo M. Curci, Gabriele Pecatelli, Sara Carrozzo and Gabriella Piro
Biology 2023, 12(3), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030444

“Heatwave Variability and Structure in South Africa during Summer Drought”
by Innocent L. Mbokodo, Mary-Jane M. Bopape, Thando Ndarana, Sifiso M. S. Mbatha, Tshimbiluni P. Muofhe, Mukovhe V. Singo, Nkosinathi G. Xulu, Tumelo Mohomi, Kingsley K. Ayisi and Hector Chikoore
Climate 2023, 11(2), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11020038

“Global Warming and Extreme Drought” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Michelle Simões Reboita, Prof. Dr. Rosmeri Porfírio da Rocha and Dr. Shaukat Ali Submission deadline: 31 July 2025	“Land and Drought: An Environmcental Assessment Through Remote Sensing” Guest Editors: Dr. Keyvan Soltani, Prof. Dr. Silvio José Gumiere and Dr. Isa Ebtehaj Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Recent Progress in Land Degradation Processes, Control and Restoration” Guest Editors:  Dr. Jianye Li, Dr. Weida Gao, Dr. Wei Hu, Dr. Qiang Chen and Prof. Dr. Xingyi Zhang Submission deadline:  25 September 2025	“Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses and Ensuring Food Safety in Changing Climates” Topic Editors:  Dr. José Ramón Acosta-Motos, Dr. Sara Álvarez, Dr. María del Rosario Álvarez Morales, Dr. María José Clemente-Moreno, Dr. María del Rosario Conesa-Saura, Dr. Juan de Dios Franco-Navarro, Dr. María José Gómez-Bellot, Dr. Isabel M. Martínez Alcalá and Dr. Víctor Meseguer Sánchez

We are pleased to share that Hydrology (ISSN: 2306-5338) has received an increased CiteScore of 5.9 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 22 out of 150 titles (Q1) in the “Oceanography” category, 29 out of 183 titles (Q1) in the “Earth-Surface Processes” category, and 62 out of 279 titles (Q1) in the “Water Science and Technology” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 12.

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 Hydrology and its growing impact in hydrological sciences.

MDPI will be attending the Goldschmidt2025 Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, which will take place from 6 to 11 July 2025. The conference will focus on geochemistry and related subjects. The annual meeting is held by the European Association of Geochemistry and the Geochemical Society. The meeting will bring together more than 3,500 researchers to discuss groundbreaking science. Goldschmidt2025 will provide a fantastic networking opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors, with access to leading geochemists, key academic purchasers, and graduate students in both a professional and vibrant social setting. If you are attending the conference, please visit booth #42; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Geosciences (leading);
• Minerals (leading);
• Geographies;
• Energies;
• Hydrology;
• Earth;
• Atmosphere;
• Quaternary;
• Nitrogen.