Announcements

The Nonlinearity, Nonlocality, and Ultrametricity International Conference on the Occasion of Prof. Branko Dragovich’s 80th Birthday will be held from 26 to 30 May 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia, and is organized by the Faculty of Mathematics (University of Belgrade), Mathematical Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics (University of Niš), and Serbian Academy of Nonlinear Sciences (SANS).

Prof. Branko Dragovich celebrated his 80th birthday on 11 March 2025. To commemorate this joyous occasion, his co-authors, colleagues, and friends have organized this international scientific conference that will be held in Belgrade. The conference program will focus on scientific research areas of interest to Prof. Dragovich, as well as related fields. Topics will primarily cover theoretical and mathematical physics areas, with an emphasis on nonlinearity, nonlocality, and ultrametricity.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Symmetry;
• QuBS;
• Mathematics;
• Axioms;
• Particles.

If you are planning to attend the above-mentioned conference, we warmly welcome you to visit our booth and engage with our representatives. We look forward to meeting you in person and are here to assist with any questions that you may have. For more information about this conference, please visit the official website at http://dragovich80.matf.bg.ac.rs/.

Conference: Math 2 Product (M2P)
Date: 4–6 June 2025
Place: Valencia, Spain

MDPI will be attending Math 2 Product (M2P) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Valencia, Spain, from 4 to 6 June 2025.

This is the second edition of the M2P conference series, a Thematic Conference of the European Community on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences (ECCOMAS - https://www.eccomas.org/) and a Special Interest Conference of the International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM -IACM.info).

Mathematical models and computational methods have gained increasing importance in the simulation of real-world and industrial problems. The employment of such methodologies deeply changed the standard ways of conceiving daily industrial production and strategies for the sustainable exploitation of modern cities.

The goal pursued by this ECCOMAS Thematic Conference is twofold. On the one hand, cases of successful interaction between mathematics and industry will be presented. Special emphasis will be devoted to the benefits provided by the transfer of knowledge in different fields of applications, including the social challenges of sustainable development. On the other hand, groundbreaking ideas and emerging technologies in computational science will be discussed to foster the cross-fertilization of academic solutions and real-world problems.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Mathematical and Computational Applications (MCA);
• AI;
• Algorithms;
• Axioms;
• ASI;
• AppliedMath;
• BDCC;
• Computers;
• Computation;
• Eng;
• Mathematics;
• Modelling.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.m2p2025.com/M2P2025/.

Name: Dr. Martynas Patašius
Affiliation: Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
Research interests: biomedical image analysis; finite element method; business games; voting theory

The following is a short interview with Dr. Martynas Patašius:

1. Could you give a brief introduction to yourself to the readers?  Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
I am a computer scientist working at the Kaunas University of Technology. I work in many research fields—voting theory, finite element modeling, business games, etc.

2. Can you please share with us your sentiments about winning the award?
I am honored.

3. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
There is not much to it. I simply read the paper, more or less as if I were a reader and not a reviewer. Then, the places where the text becomes hard to understand might indicate where, for example, some notation has been left unexplained.

4. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
A review is primarily meant to make the flaws of the paper clear so that they can be dealt with. Because of that, I would say that, first of all, a good review has to list only the true flaws that are in the paper. There could be other good qualities (for example, finding many flaws, indicating how some flaws could be corrected), but these are much less important.

5. Based on your experience, which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
This is hard to say. Perhaps, at the moment, there will be some work finding out how to use LLMs in various fields of research.

Name: Dr. Sandra S. Ferreira
Affiliation: Mathematics Department and Centre of Mathematics and Applications, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
Research interests: mathematical statistics; statistical analysis; statistical modeling; statistical inference; applied statistics; computational statistics; applied probability; mixed models; F-tests; applied mathematics; probability theory; data analysis models; linear; mixed models; random sampling; confidence intervals; linear regression; multivariate statistics

The following is a short interview with Dr. Sandra S. Ferreira:

1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?  Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal, in the department of mathematics and I am also a member of the Centre of Mathematics and Applications at UBI, as well as a collaborator with the Centre of Mathematics and Applications at FCT Nova. I have a Ph.D. in mathematics from UBI, an M.Sc. in applied mathematics from the University of Évora, and a B.Sc. in mathematics with a focus on probability and statistics. My research interests lie in statistics and applied mathematics, particularly statistical inference in linear models and the study of statistical distributions. I have published research in the fields of probability and statistics and have been involved in several research projects. I serve as a guest reviewer for international journals, and I am part of the scientific committee for international conferences.

2. Can you please share with us your sentiments upon winning the award?
It is truly an honor to receive this award. The real pleasure, however, comes from the opportunity to review such high-quality manuscripts. Each paper I review broadens my knowledge and allows me to contribute to the advancement of our field.

3. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
I start by carefully reading the entire manuscript to see its overall structure and contribution. Then, I focus on specific sections, analyzing methodology, results, and conclusions. The editorial team has been exceptionally efficient and helpful, which greatly facilitates this process.

4. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
In my opinion, the key qualities are as follows:
a) Constructive criticism that helps authors improve their work;
b) Clear and specific feedback, pointing out both strengths and areas for improvement;
c) A thorough understanding of the paper's context and contribution to the field;
d) Timeliness in submitting the review.

5. Based on your experience, which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I believe some research topics of particular interest to the community in the coming years will include the following:
- Advanced statistical methods for big data and machine learning;
- Novel approaches to handling non-standard data structures;
- Interdisciplinary applications of statistical methods, especially in areas like climate science and personalized medicine;
- Development of robust methods for causal inference in observational studies.

Name: Dr. Rui Santos
Affiliation: School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic University of Leiria
Research Interests: statistical inference; data science; simulation; distributions; epidemiology; classification; dental age estimation; meta-analysis; pooled sample designs; teaching and history of probability and statistics

The following is a short interview with Dr. Rui Santos:

1. Could you give a brief introduction to yourself to the readers? Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
I am a Professor of statistics at the Polytechnic University of Leiria and a member of CEAUL—Center of Statistics and Applications at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. My research currently explores classification methodologies based on compound testing, specifically hierarchical and array-based group testing approaches. These methodologies enable significant resource savings in certain contexts while maintaining reliable classification criteria. The challenge lies in identifying the most effective methods that balance accuracy with efficiency compared to traditional individual testing. These techniques have applications in both epidemiology and statistical quality control. Through simulations, we have obtained promising results that contribute to optimizing these methodologies. 

2. Can you please share with us your sentiments about winning the award?
I am truly honored and delighted to be recognized for my contributions to peer review. 

3. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
I typically begin with a broad reading of the manuscript to grasp its main ideas. This initial review helps me assess its merit and identify areas that need further development or clarification. From there, I conduct a more detailed evaluation, ensuring my feedback is both constructive and efficient.

4. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
An excellent review requires staying up to date with the latest developments in the field and maintaining a constructive perspective on the work being evaluated. Even if a manuscript is not accepted for publication, constructive criticism helps authors refine their research and improve their work. As an author myself, I understand that while criticism can be challenging to receive, it is invaluable in enhancing the quality of a paper and sometimes leads to an even stronger publication. 

5. Based on your experience, which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
The rapid advancement of computing power has significantly influenced research in data science. In statistics, areas such as simulation, resampling, high-dimensional data analysis, Bayesian statistics, and statistical learning continue to evolve, alongside various machine learning methodologies. I anticipate that these fields will experience substantial qualitative advancements in the coming years, driving new insights and innovations.

With the growing recognition of mathematics as a vital component of artistic expression and innovative thinking, it has now evolved far beyond its traditional role as a problem-solving tool; mathematics serves as a source of inspiration, a bridge between logic and creativity, and a universal language that connects us all. The theme of International Day of Mathematics (IDM) this year is “Mathematics, Art, and Creativity”, with the aim of exploring the interplay between numbers, patterns, and human imagination while bringing awareness to interdisciplinary applications of mathematics.

In recognition of the 2025 International Day of Mathematics, we invite you to explore the captivating interplay between numbers, patterns, and human imagination. As part of this celebration, we examine the progressive role that mathematics plays across disciplines through our upcoming webinars. From the intricate designs of fractals to harmonious proportions in architecture, we will share the inspiring stories of mathematicians, artists, and innovators pushing the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, we have curated a collection of open access research articles that explore this fascinating relationship, freely available to researchers, educators, and enthusiasts worldwide.

“Trigonometric Polynomial Points in the Plane of a Triangle”
by Clark Kimberling and Peter J. C. Moses
Geometry 2024, 1(1), 27-42; https://doi.org/10.3390/geometry1010005

“Sheaf Cohomology of Rectangular-Matrix Chains to Develop Deep-Machine-Learning Multiple Sequencing”
by Orchidea Maria Lecian
Int. J. Topol. 2024, 1(1), 55-71; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijt1010005

“Evolution of Hybrid Cellular Automata for Density Classification Problem”
by Petre Anghelescu
Symmetry 2024, 16(5), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16050599

“The Flexible Gumbel Distribution: A New Model for Inference about the Mode”
by Qingyang Liu, Xianzheng Huang and Haiming Zhou
Stats 2024, 7(1), 317-332; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats7010019

“Precision-Driven Product Recommendation Software: Unsupervised Models, Evaluated by GPT-4 LLM for Enhanced Recommender Systems”
by Konstantinos I. Roumeliotis, Nikolaos D. Tselikas and Dimitrios K. Nasiopoulos
Software 2024, 3(1), 62-80; https://doi.org/10.3390/software3010004

“Shrinking the Variance in Experts’ “Classical” Weights Used in Expert Judgment Aggregation”
by Gayan Dharmarathne, Gabriela F. Nane, Andrew Robinson and Anca M. Hanea
Forecasting 2023, 5(3), 522-535; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast5030029

“Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning in Supply Chain 4.0: A Literature Review”
by Elena Barzizza, Nicolò Biasetton, Riccardo Ceccato and Luigi Salmaso
Stats 2023, 6(2), 596-616; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats6020038

“An Agile Model-Based Software Engineering Approach Illustrated through the Development of a Health Technology System”
by Moe Huss, Daniel R. Herber and John M. Borky
Software 2023, 2(2), 234-257; https://doi.org/10.3390/software2020011

“Modelling of Tissue Invasion in Epithelial Monolayers”
by Faris Saad Alsubaie, Hamid Khataee and Zoltan Neufeld
Life 2023, 13(2), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020427

“Practical Understanding of Cancer Model Identifiability in Clinical Applications”
by Tin Phan, Justin Bennett and Taylor Patten
Life 2023, 13(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13020410

“Recent Developments in Fuzzy Control Systems and Their Applications”	“Chaotic Systems and Their Applications, 2nd Edition”
“Symmetry in Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics”	“Advances in Symmetric Cryptography and Data Integrity”

Name: Dr. Joseph Lakey
Affiliation: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, United States
Research interests: harmonic analysis; signal processing; spectral graph theory
Brief introduction: I am an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. I have worked at NMSU for over 25 years.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Joseph Lakey:

1. Could you give a brief introduction of yourself to the readers?  Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
The past five years I have been studying primarily spectral graph theory for certain special types of graphs in which there should be results analogous to known results from classical harmonic analysis. I have also been working on higher dimensional versions of so-called prolate functions and prolate wavelets using techniques from Clifford analysis.

2. Could you share with us your emotions upon winning this award?
I am very pleased to be recognized as an exceptional reviewer for Mathematics.  The peer review process can be quirky but is critical for maintaining scientific standards. The vast majority of work I have reviewed for Mathematics is scientifically sound but can make a much more significant impact by providing clear motivation and context to explain where the results fall into the scope of other work, and how they advance the field of study.

3. Could you share some insights into your approach to reviewing manuscripts? How do you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
MDPI puts an emphasis on a fast publication cycle. I try to give manuscripts a quick initial read to orient myself, to allow myself to ask if the approach makes sense and if any change in approach will assist the interested reader. If proofs at the beginning and end are solid, then what is in the middle should be okay.

4. In your opinion, what are some key qualities that make a review outstanding?
An excellent review should add insight for the authors: not just check if the results are correct but also provide the author with the opportunity to make modifications that will help the reader to understand their work and its significance.

5. Based on your experience, which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Obviously there has been emphasis on large language models and deep learning. I believe that spectral graph theory can be of use in understanding fundamental aspects of these models that are not well understood yet. Graphs provide models for so many things ranging from behavior of materials at the molecular level to providing insights for large scale networks. Understanding these structures benefits both from clever mathematical insight and careful combinatorial analysis to numerical simulation.

Conference: 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT 2025)
Organization: IEEE Information Theory Society and University of Michigan
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Place: Ann Arbor, USA

MDPI journals will be attending ISIT 2025 as an exhibitor. This symposium will be held in Ann Arbor (Michigan), USA, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

ISIT 2025 will feature contributed papers, tutorial sessions, social, mentoring, and outreach events, and much more. The symposium will also feature outstanding plenary speakers.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the symposium:

• Entropy;
• Information;
• Future Internet;
• BDCC;
• Data;
• Computation;
• Cryptography;
• JCP;
• Network;
• Mathematics.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://2025.ieee-isit.org/.

To celebrate International Day of Mathematics 2025, MDPI is hosting a special webinar to bring researchers together, foster collaboration, and highlight the crucial role that mathematics plays in driving breakthroughs across all disciplines. This event aims to raise awareness of how the exchange of ideas and findings enhances our understanding and application of mathematical principles in real-world innovations.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at the International Day of Mathematics Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the webinar below.

Date: 14 March 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. CET | 10:00 a.m. EST | 11:00 p.m. CST Asia 
Webinar ID: 897 5592 5773
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar Announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/MIDoMW2025-2

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized. 

Unable to attend? Still feel free to register; we will inform you when the recording is available.

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Sujit Ghosh, Department of Statistics, NC State University, USA;
• Prof. Graham Hall, Institute of Mathematics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Relevant Topic Information: 
Session 1—https://sciforum.net/event/MIDoMW2025