Announcements

MDPI will be attending the 15th International Symposium on Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance (ISAAR 2026), which will be held on Hong Kong, China, from 12 to 14 June 2026.

The conference addresses the pressing theme of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)—a challenge that transcends borders and demands collective expertise and commitment. ISAAR 2026 will provide an ideal platform that attracts researchers and experts in the field of infectious disease, microbiology, public health, pharmaceuticals and biomedical sciences to foster collaboration, share innovative research ideas and findings, advance our understanding of infectious diseases, and explore effective strategies to combat AMR. ISAAR 2026 looks forward to the participation of all attendees and is excited to share innovations, insights, and best practices.

The topics addressed by this conference are as follows:

• Antimicrobial Agents and PK/PD;
• Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals;
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Program;
• Bacteriology;
• Clinical Case Report;
• COVID-19;
• Diagnostics in Microbiology;
• Fungal Infection and Medical Mycology;
• Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention/Control;
• HIV;
• Microbiome;
• Resistance In Gram-Negative Bacteria;
• Resistance In Gram-Positive Bacteria;
• Tuberculosis and other Mycobacterial Infections;
• Vaccines;
• Viral Infection (All Viruses other than HIV And SARS-Cov-2);
• Others.

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

• Antibiotics;
• Microbiology Research;
• Diagnostics;
• Immuno;
• Bacteria;
• Pharmaceuticals;
• Hygiene;
• Medicines;
• JMAHP.

We invite you to visit MDPI’s booth (#C01) to meet our representatives, explore our latest initiatives, and discuss potential collaborations. For more details about the conference, please visit the official website: https://www.isaar2026.org/.

We look forward to connecting with you in Hong Kong!

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).

MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at Paul Ehrlich MedChem 2026 conference, taking place in Cagliari, Italy, from 20 to 22 May 2026.

The conference is designed to be a significant showcase for young PhD students and researchers in the field of medicinal chemistry. It promotes knowledge exchange by sharing research results and involving production activities.

The following MDPI journals will be presented at the conference:

• Pharmaceuticals;
• DDC;
• Antioxidants;
• Medicines.

If you are attending this conference, please get in touch with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://sites.unica.it/pe2026/.

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

Prize

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

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

Who May Be Nominated?

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

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

Who May Submit a Nomination?

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

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

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

How to Submit?

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

Important Dates

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

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

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Marwa H.S. Dawoud, from MSA University, Egypt, who received the Best Poster Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Marwa Hamdy Dawoud, and I am an Associate Professor of pharmaceutics at the Faculty of Pharmacy, MSA University, Egypt. My academic role integrates teaching, research, and postgraduate supervision, with a strong focus on pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery systems, and translational pharmaceutics.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My current research focuses on the design, optimization, and evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems, particularly nano-based and lipid–polymer hybrid platforms, with the aim of improving the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic performance of poorly soluble and repurposed drugs.
In parallel, my work increasingly integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approaches to support rational formulation development. These tools are employed to model complex formulation–process–performance relationships, predict critical quality attributes, and optimize formulation variables with reduced experimental burden. By combining experimental pharmaceutics with data-driven modeling and in silico prediction, this research enhances formulation efficiency and supports a Quality by Design-oriented framework.
Currently, several studies are underway that combine AI-assisted formulation optimization with in vitro characterization and in vivo pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic evaluation, with outcomes under peer review or in advanced experimental phases. This integrative strategy aims to bridge laboratory-scale formulation development with predictive and translational pharmaceutical research.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Academic conferences provide a unique platform for knowledge exchange, scientific visibility, and professional networking. They allow researchers to present ongoing work, receive constructive feedback, and stay informed about emerging trends and methodologies. Equally important, conferences foster interdisciplinary collaboration and inspire new research directions, particularly when engaging with diverse international perspectives.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I am deeply honored to receive this award. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the conference organizers and the scientific committee for this recognition. I am also thankful to my peer colleagues, mentors, and students, whose collaboration and support have been integral to my academic journey. This award is both an encouragement and a responsibility to continue contributing meaningfully to research and education in pharmaceutics.

5. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?
This E-conference represents an excellent model of accessible and inclusive scientific engagement. The virtual format enables broader participation across geographical boundaries while maintaining high scientific standards. I believe such platforms play an increasingly important role in advancing research dissemination, fostering collaboration, and supporting early-career researchers. I look forward to seeing this conference grow as a dynamic hub for innovation and academic dialogue.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Jéssica Lopes Nunes, from Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal, who received the Best Communication Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Jéssica Lopes Nunes, and I obtained my PhD in biomedicine from the University of Beira Interior (UBI) in 2025. My doctoral research was conducted at UBI in collaboration with the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-UTAD), Portugal, under the project entitled “Nucleic acid-based nanosystem for Human Papillomavirus related lesions”. I am currently serving as an Invited Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Beira Interior, in Covilhã, Portugal.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My scientific interests are mainly within the field of biomedicine. I began my research career in neuroscience, focusing on the role of transcriptional corepressors in Parkinson’s disease. Now, my research focus has shifted toward cancer nanomedicine. Currently, my work is centered on the development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and therapeutic innovation, with a particular emphasis on targeted strategies for cancer treatment.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Participating in academic conferences is always a valuable and enriching experience. These events provide an excellent platform to stay up to date with the latest advances in our field, broaden scientific knowledge, and gain new perspectives that may inspire future research directions. Additionally, conferences foster networking opportunities, enabling interactions with other researchers and the establishment of potential scientific collaborations.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this recognition. Receiving this award is deeply motivating, as it reinforces the value of our work and acknowledges the dedication invested in scientific research. It also serves as an encouragement to continue pursuing research that aims to generate both scientific advancement and meaningful social impact.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Fiora Artusio, from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, who received the Best Invited Lecture Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Fiora Artusio, and I am currently an Assistant Professor at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. I obtained my BSc, MSc, and PhD in chemical engineering at the same university before moving to EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) for a postdoctoral position. Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to work as a visiting researcher at MIT (Boston, USA), Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos (CSIC, Granada, Spain), and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (Ispra, Italy). These experiences have deeply shaped my approach to both science and teamwork.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My research focuses on downstream pharmaceutical processes, with particular emphasis on crystallization and freeze-drying. By integrating experimental investigations with mathematical modelling, my work aims to develop mechanistic understanding of key phenomena such as freezing and protein crystallization. This knowledge-based approach supports the optimization of existing processes, including the freeze-drying of biopharmaceuticals, while enabling the design of new strategies and technologies for improved control of crystallization processes. Within a Quality by Design (QbD) framework, my research seeks to move pharmaceutical manufacturing from empirically driven development toward knowledge-based and scalable process design. Recent progress includes the development of chemically modified silica gels to enable controlled protein crystallization under otherwise inaccessible conditions, the elucidation of the role of thermal interactions among vials during freezing of pharmaceutical unit doses, and ongoing work on novel non-invasive Process Analytical Technologies (PATs) to support real-time monitoring and control of freeze-drying processes.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
From my perspective, academic conferences are an excellent opportunity to meet experts in the field, exchange ideas with peers, establish new collaborations, and also build professional relationships and friendships. They provide a stimulating environment to discuss ongoing research and to gain exposure to diverse perspectives and emerging trends within a specific field. Conferences also offer a valuable chance to receive informal and constructive feedback on preliminary results that are not yet published, which can help refine research directions and improve the quality of future work. In addition, attending conferences supports professional development by improving communication skills and increasing the visibility of one’s research.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my PhD advisor, Prof. Roberto Pisano, for always supporting my research activity and Dr. José Gavira for encouraging me to explore even the most unconventional ideas. I would also like to warmly thank all the MSc and PhD students who contributed to the work I presented. Without their passion, dedication, and teamwork, I would not be here today (and certainly not with all those triplicates!). Finally, I would like to thank the conference organizers and the award selection committee for this recognition and for their dedication to organizing such a high-quality scientific event.

We are pleased to share an interview with Dr. Dina Aprem Kako, from the University of Duhok, Iraq, who received the Best Slideshow Award at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P2025).

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
I am Dina Aprem Kako, a pharmacist and Lecturer of pharmaceutics at the University of Duhok, Iraq. I hold a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, and my academic work focuses on drug delivery systems and formulation development. I am passionate about research, teaching, and contributing to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?
My current research focuses on advanced drug delivery systems, particularly vesicular carriers for transdermal drug delivery and bioavailability improvement.

3. From your perspective, what are the benefits of attending an academic conference?
Academic conferences provide an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration. They allow researchers to present their work, receive valuable feedback, stay updated with recent scientific advances, and build professional connections with experts from different disciplines and countries.

4. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you
wish to thank most?
I am deeply grateful for this award and am sincerely honored to receive it. I would like to thank
the conference organizers and reviewers for their recognition and support.

Welcome message from the Chair:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the upcoming webinar associated with the Special Issue “Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Drug Discovery, Development and Biomedical Research” in the journal Pharmaceuticals.

Raman spectroscopy has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once primarily viewed as a physicochemical characterization technique, it has evolved into a powerful analytical tool with wide applications across pharmaceutical science and biomedical research. Today, Raman-based approaches are contributing to many stages of the pharmaceutical pipeline, from understanding drug–target interactions and formulation development to biomedical diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. The integration of advanced data analysis methods, including machine learning, is further expanding the ability of Raman spectroscopy to interpret complex biological and pharmaceutical systems.

This webinar brings together experts who are exploring these exciting developments. Through their presentations, we hope to highlight recent innovations, share scientific insights, and stimulate discussions on how Raman techniques can continue to advance pharmaceutical research and biomedical applications.

I would like to thank all participants.

Dr. Nota Zarmpi
Chair of the Pharmaceuticals Webinar

Date: 23 March 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. CET | 10:00 a.m. EDT

Register now for free!

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

Unable to attend? Feel free to register anyway; the session will be recorded, and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.

Webinar Chair and Speakers:

• Dr. Nota Zarmpi, University of Surrey, UK;
• Prof. Richard Guy, University of Bath, UK;
• Dr. Natalie Belsey, National Physical Laboratory, UK; University of Surrey, UK;
• Prof. Tao Chen, University of Surrey, UK.

Call for papers:

“Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Drug Discovery, Development and Biomedical Research”

Guest Editor: Dr. Panagiota Zarmpi
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026

For more information about this webinar, please visit the following website: https://sciforum.net/event/Pharmaceuticals-8?subscribe.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact pharmaceuticals@mdpi.com.

Pharmaceuticals Webinar Secretariat