Announcements

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.

Each year on 22 April, International Mother Earth Day brings together researchers, environmental leaders, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the urgent need for collective action and civic engagement to influence environmental policy, accelerate climate action, and drive meaningful change at both local and global levels.

MDPI supports this global observance by showcasing research that advances environmental science, sustainability, and Earth system studies. Through its journals, MDPI provides platforms for researchers and professionals to share scientific knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote innovations that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Invited Speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here.

“Global Carbon Sequestration and the Roles of Tropical Forests and Crops: Prospects for Using Innovative Carbon Trading Approaches to Address the Climate Emergency”
by Denis J. Murphy and Shana Yong
Earth 2026, 7(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7010022

“Intensification of SUHI During Extreme Heat Events: An Eight-Year Summer Analysis for Lecce (2018–2025)”
by Antonio Esposito, Riccardo Buccolieri, Jose Luis Santiago and Gianluca Pappaccogli
Climate 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14010002

“The Application of Earth Observation Data to Desert Locust Risk Management: A Literature Review”
by Gachie Eliud Baraka, Guido D’Urso and Oscar Rosario Belfiore
Geomatics 2025, 5(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5010014

“Energy Efficiency Analysis of Water Treatment Plants: Current Status and Future Trends”
by Iwona Skoczko
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051086

“Tracking Particulate Matter Accumulation on Green Roofs: A Study at Warsaw University Library”
by Katarzyna Gładysz, Mariola Wrochna and Robert Popek
Air 2025, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/air3010004

“A Multi-Scale Analysis of the Extreme Precipitation in Southern Brazil in April/May 2024”
by Michelle Simões Reboita, Enrique Vieira Mattos, Bruno César Capucin, Diego Oliveira de Souza and Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091123

“Status of Concentrated Solar Power Plants Installed Worldwide: Past and Present Data”
by Sylvain Rodat and Richard Thonig
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(1), 365-378; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6010018

“Impacts of Climate Change and Agricultural Practices on Nitrogen Processes, Genes, and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analyses”
by Dafeng Hui, Avedananda Ray, Lovish Kasrija and Jaekedah Christian
Agriculture 2024, 14(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020240

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).

The articles listed below have been selected as the cover articles for Issues 1–12 of Volume 13 by the Editorial Office of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE, ISSN: 2077-1312). These articles represent the latest research advancements in fields within the journal’s scope, and we hope they will serve as a source of new research ideas for scholars and authors in these fields. For full access to Volume 13, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13.

1. “Parametric Estimation of Directional Wave Spectra from Moored FPSO Motion Data Using Optimized Artificial Neural Networks”
by Do-Soo Kwon, Sung-Jae Kim,Chungkuk Jin and MooHyun Kim
JMSE 2025, 13(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010069
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/69
Cover Story: Wave estimation through vessel motions offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional wave measurement methods that require expensive oceanographic instruments. This work has developed an artificial neural network (ANN) framework for the parametric estimation of directional wave spectra using motion data from a spread-moored FPSO vessel in diverse wave–current–wind scenarios. Statistical features from 6DOF motions are utilized as inputs, with correlation analysis ensuring optimal feature selection. Hyperparameter tuning significantly improves accuracy, and comparative results reveal the ANN’s superior ability to estimate wave parameters and the resulting directional wave spectra.

2. “Framework for Assessing Impact of Wave-Powered Desalination on Resilience of Coastal Communities”
by Kelley Ruehl, Katherine A. Klise, Megan Hinks and Jeff Grasberger
JMSE 2025, 13(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13020219
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/2/219
Cover Story: Coastal communities face unique challenges regarding maintaining continuous service of critical infrastructure. This research advances capabilities for evaluating the impact of wave-powered desalination on resilience. The study focuses on the feasibility of using wave energy conversion to provide drinking water to communities and applying resilience metrics to quantify its impact. To assess the feasibility of wave-powered desalination, this research couples the open-source software Wave Energy Converter SIMulator (WEC-Sim) and Water Network Tool for Resilience (WNTR). It explores variations in both the wave resource (location, seasonality, and duration) and the ability to maintain drinking water service during a disruption scenario. 

3. “A Numerical Study for the Self-Propulsion Performance of a Propulsion System Using the Coanda Effect”
by Jun-Hee Lee, Kwang-Jun Paik and Do-Han Oh
JMSE 2025, 13(3), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030437
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/3/437
Cover Story: This study presents an innovative marine propulsion system utilizing the Coanda effect to enhance efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and lower CO₂ emissions. Numerical simulations on a 6.5K DWT tanker assessed the self-propulsion performance of a Coanda-based propeller compared to conventional designs. Using URANS equations with the SST k–ω turbulence model, the study demonstrated that the Coanda propeller generated additional lift, reducing delivered power by approximately 7.8%. These findings highlight the potential of Coanda-based propulsion as a next-generation solution for sustainable shipping, providing significant economic and environmental benefits. Further validation through full-scale ship simulations is currently being planned.
 

4. “Multivariate Statistics, Radioactivity and Radiological Hazard Evaluation in Marine Sediments of Selected Areas from Sicily, Southern Italy”
by Francesco Caridi, Antonio Francesco Mottese, Giuseppe Paladini, Lorenzo Pistorino, Francesco Gregorio, Stefania Lanza, Giovanni Randazzo, Santina Marguccio, Alberto Belvedere, Maurizio D’Agostino et al.
JMSE 2025, 13(4), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13040769
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/4/769
Cover Story: This paper reports the findings of an investigation aimed at assessing, for the first time, the natural and anthropogenic radioactivity content of marine sediments collected from selected areas of Sicily, Southern Italy. In particular, it focused on evaluating the average activity concentration of detected radionuclides—i.e., Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 natural and Cs-137 anthropogenic radioisotopes—and their radiological hazard for humans, with the primary aim of considering the use of this material in nourishing actual eroded beaches. In addition, Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), i.e., multivariate statistics, were carried out by analyzing detected radioactivity and radiological characteristics to evaluate their relationship with the sampling locations. 

5. “Key Parameters for Design Analysis and Optimization of Dynamic Inter-Array Power Cable Configurations in Floating Offshore Wind Farms”
by Anja Schnepf and Ove Tobias Gudmestad
JMSE 2025, 13(5), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13050875
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/5/875
Cover Story: In deeper waters, offshore wind power turbines must be designed as floating units. An array of power cables transmits the electricity generated to customers. Identifying the key parameters for the safe design and optimization of inter-array power cable configurations in floating offshore wind farms is crucial. A robust design is necessary to ensure the wind farm operates efficiently, without long stops for heavy maintenance of the power cable array, which could lead to large operational costs and the loss of stable electric production. The key parameters vary by location and include cable geometry. Other important design parameters include current, marine growth, and the selection of buoyancy elements, especially when the power cable is floating and does not extend to the sea floor.
 

6. “Long-Term Variability of Phytoplankton Size Classes in the Littoral Seas of Korea Using Deep Neural Networks and Satellite Data”
by Hyo-Keun Jang, Changsin Kim, Seok-Hyun Youn, Jae-Joong Kang, Hwaeun Jung and Huitae Joo
JMSE 2025, 13(6), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13061064
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/6/1064
Cover Story: This study explores long-term changes in phytoplankton-size classes across the Yellow Sea, South Sea of Korea, and East/Japan Sea by using 20 years (2003–2022) of satellite ocean color data and a regionally optimized deep neural network model. The results reveal a marked expansion of pico-sized phytoplankton, particularly under warmer, stratified, and nutrient-depleted conditions, driven by rising sea surface temperatures and altered nutrient stoichiometry. This shift toward smaller phytoplankton may reduce primary production and disrupt marine food webs, with implications for fishery yields. Our findings underscore the ecological consequences of climate-driven changes in phytoplankton communities and highlight the importance of long-term ecosystem monitoring. 

7. “Temperature-Induced Errors in ITTC Model-Ship Extrapolation”
by Sang-seok Han, Saishuai Dai, Momchil Terziev, Daejeong Kim, Tahsin Tezdogan, Doojin Jung and Soonseok Song
JMSE 2025, 13(7), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13071203
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/7/1203
Cover Story: This study investigates how towing tank water temperature influences ITTC model ship extrapolation procedures for ship resistance prediction. Using CFD simulations of KCS and KVLCC2 at various temperatures, two key issues are identified. First, temperature-induced changes in the Reynolds number affect the actual frictional resistance at the model scale, yet the ITTC 1957 friction line does not accurately capture these variations. Second, the form factor determined through Prohaska’s method is sensitive to towing tank temperature, causing inconsistent model ship extrapolation procedures. Several friction curves were tested, showing discrepancies of up to 2.8% in full-scale resistance predictions. The importance of environmental conditions (i.e. towing tank water temperature) during experimental campaigns is highlighted to improve hydrodynamic performance evaluation accuracy.

8. “Recent Developments in the Nonlinear Hydroelastic Modeling of Sea Ice Interaction with Marine Structures”
by Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, Pouria Amouzadrad and C. Guedes Soares
JMSE 2025, 13(8), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081410
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/8/1410
Cover Story: This paper presents recent advancements in the nonlinear hydroelastic modeling of sea ice interactions with floating structures. It reviews theoretical, experimental, and numerical methodologies used to analyze complex coupled sea ice interactions with marine structures by discussing governing fluid domain solutions, fluid–ice interaction mechanisms, and ice–ship contact models. While significant progress has been made, particularly with coupled approaches validated by experimental data, challenges remain in terms of full-scale validation and the accurate representation of ice properties and dynamic interactions. Findings highlight the increasing importance of understanding sea ice interactions, particularly in the context of climate change, Arctic transportation, and the development of advanced, safe, and sustainable Arctic and offshore engineering.

9. “Comparative Performance Analysis of Software-Based Restoration Techniques for NAVTEX Message”
by Hoyeon Cho, Changui Lee and Seojeong Lee
JMSE 2025, 13(9), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091657
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/9/1657
Cover Story: This study investigates software-based restoration methods for NAVTEX maritime safety messages. When built-in error correction for NAVTEX systems fails, this results in corrupted characters marked with asterisks. Current systems require manual interpretation of corrupted messages, preventing integration with Maritime Single Window. In addition, traditional approaches discard messages exceeding error thresholds, resulting in loss of critical safety information. The research applies Masked Language Modeling to restore corrupted messages by treating asterisk characters as masked tokens. Results show improved restoration capabilities compared to statistical language models, supporting maritime safety communication requirements and preserving safety information during challenging transmission conditions. 
 

10. “Vessel Arrival Priority Determination in VTS Management: A Dynamic Scoring Approach Integrating Expert Knowledge”
by Gil-Ho Shin and Chae-Uk Song
JMSE 2025, 13(10), 1849; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13101849
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/10/1849
Cover Story: This study develops a systematic vessel arrival priority determination system, overcoming limitations of First-Come-First-Served approaches. Using Delphi surveys and Fuzzy AHP for 50 Busan Port VTS operators, an integrated dynamic scoring model is created: basic scores for vessel characteristics (54.82%), risk scores for safety intervals (29.71%), and special situation scores for emergencies (15.47%). Validation across eight scenarios demonstrated strong expert agreement with average performance metrics of 0.833 (Spearman’s ρ), 0.771 (Kendall’s τ), and 0.991 (nDCG). This research bridges implicit expert judgment and explicit algorithmic systems, providing VTS operators an objective, safety-focused tool for efficient maritime traffic management.
 

11. “Distributional Range Shifts Caused by Glacial–Interglacial Cycles: A Review on Timing, Main Processes, and Patterns of Late Pleistocene Marine Dispersal by Invertebrates in the NE Atlantic”
by Sérgio P. Ávila
JMSE 2025, 13(11), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13112024
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/11/2024
Cover Story: Isolated oceanic islands and archipelagos are key locations for studying the biological evolution of marine organisms. In the NE Atlantic, the poleward dispersal of tropical species during the last interglacial period is a well-known phenomenon; however, the most probable dispersal route remains a source of debate. In this study, we analyzed the Atlantic and Mediterranean last-interglacial fossil records and compared the present-day geographic distribution of shallow-water marine mollusks with their distribution during the last interglacial episode, aiming to detect range shifts. We found that dispersal occurred within a restricted “window of opportunity” associated with the end of glacial Termination II and/or the onset of the last interglacial period, and that the most probable source region for the dispersing tropical species was Cabo Verde.

12. “Analyzing the Impact of Climate Resilience on Container Terminal Throughput: A Continent-Wide Comparative Study”
by Jeongmin Lee, Wonhyeong Ryu, Yul-seong Kim and Chang-hee Lee
JMSE 2025, 13(12), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122225
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/12/2225
Cover Story: This study empirically examines the relationship between national climate resilience and container port throughput using a 13-year panel dataset (2010–2022) covering 83 countries. The findings indicate that climate resilience generally enhances port throughput, although substantial regional heterogeneity exists, with a notably negative association observed in Latin America. These results underscore that the effectiveness of climate resilience measures is highly context-dependent, shaped by regional and development conditions. By providing large-scale empirical evidence, this study advances resilience research in port logistics and offers policy-relevant insights for sustainable port development and climate-resilient infrastructure planning.

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.

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.

Conference: The 15th National Youth Academic Conference on Surface Engineering
Date: 26–28 April 2026
Location: Lanzhou, China

To foster the growth of young scholars in surface engineering and advance the development of the surface engineering discipline, technology, and industry, the 1st Youth Academic Forum on Surface Engineering was successfully held in Lanzhou on 11 August 2006. To date, the National Youth Academic Conference on Surface Engineering has been successfully convened 14 times in Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Chongqing, Suzhou, Beijing, Yangzhou, Ningbo and other cities, with the conference attendance exceeding 1000 participants.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Lubricants;
• Surfaces;
• Coatings
• Biomimetics;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• Micro;
• Corrosion and Materials Degradation;
• Metals;
• Aerospace;
• Technologies;
• Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing;
• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering;
• Physchem.

Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at our booth and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following link: http://2026.bmgc.cn/

We cordially invite you to attend the 2nd International Online Conference on Marine Science and Engineering organized by MDPI’s Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE, ISSN: 2077-1312, Impact Factor: 2.8). It will take place virtually from 23 to 25 November 2026.

Conference Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Dong-Sheng Jeng, School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.

The topics of interest:
S1. Ocean Engineering;
S2. Coastal Engineering;
S3. Geological Oceanography;
S4. Marine Biology and Aquaculture;
S5. Marine Environmental Science and Pollution;
S6. Physical Oceanography.

Important dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 10 July 2026;
Abstract acceptance notification: 4 September 2026;
Registration deadline: 18 November 2026.

Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1761.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCMSE2026?section=#registration.

For details regarding Abstract Submission, Poster and Slide Submission, and Publication Opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCMSE2026?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact iocmse2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2nd International Online Conference on Marine Science and Engineering.

The Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE, ISSN: 2077-1312) is pleased to welcome the following 32 researchers as 2026 Early Career Editorial Board Members. Please join us in congratulating them on this achievement and their contributions to the JMSE community!