Announcements

We cordially invite you to attend The 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics (ECMC-P 2025). This conference is organized by the MDPI journals Pharmaceuticals (ISSN: 1424-8247; Impact Factor: 4.3) and Pharmaceutics (ISSN: 1999-4923; Impact Factor: 4.9), and it will take place virtually from 1 to 30 November 2025.

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Maria Emília Sousa, Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal;
• Prof. Dr. Patrick J. Sinko, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA;
• Dr. Alfredo Berzal-Herranz, Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, (IPBLN-CSIC), Spain.

Topics of Interest:

• Small molecules as drug candidates;
• Biomolecules, natural products, phages, and cells as therapeutic tools;
• Biological targets and biomarkers;
• Radiopharmaceutical sciences, radiochemistry, (hybrid) imaging, and nuclear medicine;
• Nanotechnology;
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics;
• Pharmaceutical preparations and drug delivery.

Important Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 21 September 2025;
• Acceptance Notification Deadline: 5 October 2025;
• Registration Deadline: 31 October 2025.

Guide for Authors:

To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1358.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ECMC-P2025?subscribe&section=#registration.

For details regarding abstract submission and poster and slide submission, please refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ECMC-P2025?section=#instructions.

Awards:
The open access, peer-reviewed journals Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutics will present awards totaling CHF 1600 for the Best Poster, Best Slideshow, Best Flash Communication, and Best Communication, as well as an award totaling CHF 500 for the Best Invited Lecture. Additionally, one participant will be granted the opportunity to engage in a One-Day Microwave Practice/Test.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact ecmc-p@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics.

We announce Dr. Cláudia Martins and Dr. Luca Casula as the winners of the Pharmaceutics 2025 Travel Award. The Pharmaceutics Travel Award was launched in 2017 and is presented each year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of science and technology of pharmaceutics, helping to enhance their influence. As the winners of this award, they will receive CHF 800 each and a certificate. All winners were chosen by the journal’s award committee (Dr. Patrick Sinko, Chairman; Dr. Murali Yallapu; Prof. Donato Cosco; Prof. Dr. Montse Mitjans Arnal; Prof. Roderick Bryan Walker; Prof. Dr. Anna Carbone).

We were honored to interview Dr. Cláudia Martins and Dr. Luca Casula. The interview is summarized below:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your field of research?

Dr. Cláudia Martins: I am Cláudia Martins, a Junior Postdoctoral Researcher at i3S—the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto (Portugal). I hold a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Porto, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham (UK) and the University of Louvain (Belgium). My research focuses on biomaterials, targeted cancer nanomedicine, brain drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Over the years, I have worked across academia and industry, secured competitive funding, and contributed extensively to science outreach.

Dr. Luca Casula: I am Dr. Luca Casula, a postdoctoral researcher in the Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery group at the University of Cagliari, Italy. My research focuses on pharmaceutics and drug delivery systems, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative drug formulations and optimizing delivery strategies to improve therapeutic effectiveness and patient outcomes. In particular, I explore the applications of nanomedicine to the following topics:

• Address challenges associated with poorly water-soluble drug formulations;
• Develop biodegradable wound dressings through electrospinning;
• Optimize aerosolisable nano- and micro-drug delivery systems.

2. In your previous collaborations with MDPI, what impressed you most?

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  What impressed me the most was the straightforward and simple application process, the transparency in receiving updates on the application status, and the responsiveness and supportiveness of the journal’s staff.

Dr. Luca Casula: Having engaged with MDPI in past research endeavors, I have been particularly impressed by the journal’s rapid and transparent peer-review process, as well as its commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research. The accessibility of MDPI’s open access platform ensures that valuable scientific findings reach a global audience, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  Brain drug delivery will remain a major research focus, particularly innovative strategies to overcome the blood-brain barrier. Advancing out-of-the-box approaches to efficiently transport therapeutic agents to the brain is crucial for treating neurological disorders.

Dr. Luca Casula: In the coming years, I believe the research community will focus heavily on the following topics:

• Nanotechnology-based drug delivery, particularly in oncology, gene therapy, and targeted drug delivery;
• Biodegradable and smart polymers for sustained and controlled drug release;
• AI-driven drug formulation and predictive modeling to optimize drug design and reduce development time;
• mRNA therapeutics and novel vaccine platforms beyond COVID-19, applied to various infectious diseases and cancers.

4. As the winner of this award, would you like to take a moment to share your thoughts with our readers or express gratitude towards those who have played a significant role in your research accomplishments?

Dr. Cláudia Martins:  Special acknowledgment goes to my all-time scientific mentor, Prof. Bruno Sarmento (i3S, University of Porto, Portugal). From the very first days of my research journey, he has provided me with invaluable guidance, encouragement, and countless opportunities that have allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. His mentorship has been fundamental in helping me to establish my career goals and navigate the challenges of the scientific world.

Dr. Luca Casula:  I am incredibly honored to receive the Pharmaceutics 2025 Travel Award, and I sincerely thank the MDPI committee for this recognition. This award represents not just a personal milestone but also a testament to the hard work and collaboration that drives impactful research. I would like to express my gratitude to my mentors, colleagues, and research collaborators who have supported my journey, as well as my institution for fostering an environment of scientific curiosity and innovation. Lastly, I thank MDPI and Pharmaceutics for their dedication to advancing pharmaceutical sciences through open access research dissemination. I look forward to continuing to make contributions to this dynamic and evolving field.

World Health Day aims to draw global attention to pressing health challenges, reinforcing our commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3—ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” highlights the importance of maternal and infant health. Current estimates show that a woman dies every two minutes from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Urgent action is needed to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women’s long-term health and well-being.

To provide high-quality care before, during, and after childbirth, we must engage in critical discussions and foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. Health systems must evolve to address the full spectrum of maternal and newborn health issues—from obstetric complications to mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and family planning.

In recognition of World Health Day 2025, we invite you to explore a curated selection of articles, journals, and Special Issues spanning multiple disciplines. These resources offer valuable insights into the complexities of maternal and infant health and outline actionable steps toward lasting, positive change.

Together, we can build a world where every mother and child have the opportunity for a healthy, hopeful future.

Maternal Health
“Relationship Between Plasma Acid Sphingomyelinase and Alteration in Taste and Smell as Indicator of Long COVID in Pregnant Women”
by Federico Fiorani, Giulia Moretti, Laura Cerquiglini, Chiara Gizzi, Giulia Gizzi, Paola Signorelli, Samuela Cataldi, Tommaso Beccari, Elisa Delvecchio, Claudia Mazzeschi et al.
Reports 2024, 7(4), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7040104
  
“Pregnant Women’s Perception of Gestational Anemia and Iron Supplements in Oman”
by Zalikha Khamis Al-Marzouqi, Nawal Said Alsereahi and Safiya Khalfan Al Maqbali
J. Oman Med. Assoc. 2024, 1(1), 10–22; https://doi.org/10.3390/joma1010003

“The Sri Lanka Mother and Newborn Growth (S-MaNGro) Cohort: Protocol of a Nationwide Prospective Study”
by Malshani Lakshika Pathirathna, Megumi Haruna, Satoshi Sasaki, Kaori Yonezawa, Yuriko Usui and Yasuhiro Hagiwara
Methods Protoc. 2024, 7(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7040061

“Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Complete versus Partial Hydatidiform Moles”
by Jeffrey Gonzalez, Meagan Popp, Stephanie Ocejo, Alvaro Abreu, Hisham F. Bahmad and Robert Poppiti
Diseases 2024, 12(7), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12070159

“Evaluating Thromboprophylaxis Strategies for High-Risk Pregnancy: A Current Perspective”
by Lucia Stančiaková, Kristína Brisudová, Ingrid Škorňová, Tomáš Bolek, Matej Samoš, Kamil Biringer, Ján Staško and Juraj Sokol
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(6), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060773

“Caring for Pregnant Patients with Cancer: A Framework for Ethical and Patient-Centred Care”
by Alma Linkeviciute, Rita Canario, Fedro Alessandro Peccatori and Kris Dierickx
Cancers 2024, 16(2), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16020455

“Histopathological Clues of Enhanced Inflammation in the Placental Tissue of Women with Chronic Venous Disease in Lower Limbs during Pregnancy”
by María Asunción Sánchez-Gil, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Cielo García-Montero, María Del Val Toledo, Luis G. Guijarro, Juan A. De León-Luis, Coral Bravo, Raúl Díaz-Pedrero, Laura López-Gonzalez, Miguel A. Saez et al.
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14010087

“Challenges Related to Acquisition of Physiological Data for Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models in Postpartum, Lactating Women and Breastfed Infants—A Contribution from the ConcePTION Project”
by Martje Van Neste, Annick Bogaerts, Nina Nauwelaerts, Julia Macente, Anne Smits, Pieter Annaert and Karel Allegaert
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(11), 2618; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15112618

“Umbilical Cord Diseases Affecting Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes”
by Gabriele Tonni, Mario Lituania, Alessandro Cecchi, Elisa Carboni, Serena Resta, Maria Paola Bonasoni and Rodrigo Ruano
Healthcare 2023, 11(19), 2634; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11192634

“Scientists’ Warning: Remove the Barriers to Contraception Access, for Health of Women and the Planet”
by Jan Greguš and John Guillebaud
World 2023, 4(3), 589–597; https://doi.org/10.3390/world4030036

“Trauma-Informed Care and Equity in Group Pregnancy Care for Women of Refugee Background: Reflections from the Workforce”
by Fran Hearn, Laura Biggs, Stephanie J. Brown, Ann Krastev, Josef Szwarc and Elisha Riggs
Trauma Care 2023, 3(3), 161–176; https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare3030016

“Smoking Cessation Rates among Pregnant Women and Their Relapse Rates in the Postpartum Period in Samsun”
by Bektas Murat Yalcin, Tugba Kertmen and Muge Ustaoglu
J. Respir. 2023, 3(3), 118–129; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor3030012

“Effects of COVID-19 on Kenya’s Healthcare System: Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Maternal Health Services Utilization in Coastal Kenya”
by Stephen Okumu Ombere and Agnetta Adiedo Nyabundi
World 2023, 4(1), 140–152; https://doi.org/10.3390/world4010010

Infant and Child Health
“Clinical Insight into Congenital Hypothyroidism Among Children”
by Hüseyin Anıl Korkmaz
Children 2025, 12(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12010055

“Child and Adolescent Mental Health in a Period of Fewer COVID-19-Related Restrictions in an Urban Population in Germany”
by Anna Konopka, Amand Führer, Mascha Binder, Sophie Diexer, Thomas Frese, Michael Gekle, Matthias Girndt, Cornelia Gottschick, Jessica Hoell, Bianca Klee et al.
Psychiatry Int. 2024, 5(4), 718–737; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5040050

“Differences in Farmers’ Market Patronage among Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)”
by Renata Blumberg, Emily Fowler, Gabrielle Guerrero, Yeon Bai, Meena Mahadevan and Pankaj Lal
Dietetics 2024, 3(2), 179–190; https://doi.org/10.3390/dietetics3020015

“Maternal Depressive Symptoms in the First Year after Childbirth Predict Long-Term Developmental Risks in Sons and Daughters”
by Linda S. Pagani, Kianoush Harandian, Beatrice Necsa, Marie-Josée Harbec and George M. Tarabulsy
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030264

“Inflammatory Biomarker Profiles in Very Preterm Infants within the Context of Preeclampsia, Chorioamnionitis, and Clinically Diagnosed Postnatal Infection”
by Jordan T. Ewald, Baiba Steinbrekera, Jennifer R. Bermick, Donna A. Santillan, Tarah T. Colaizy, Mark K. Santillan and Robert D. Roghair
Pediatr. Rep. 2023, 15(3), 483–493; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric15030044

“A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating a Regenerative Epithelial Suspension for Medium-Size Partial-Thickness Burns in Children: The BRACS Trial”
by Anjana Bairagi, Zephanie Tyack, Roy Kimble, Dimitrios Vagenas, Steven M. McPhail and Bronwyn Griffin
Eur. Burn J. 2023, 4(1), 121–141; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj4010012

“The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Global Pandemic on Children Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment and Their Parents”
by Andrew Tran, Sharon H. J. Hou, Caitlin Forbes, Sara Cho, Victoria J. Forster, Mehak Stokoe, Claire E. Wakefield, Lori Wiener, Lauren C. Heathcote, Gisela Michel et al.
Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30(2), 2441–2456; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30020186

“Feature Advancements in Section “Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology””	“Global Neonatal Screening: Expanding Horizons in Diagnostic Technologies”
“Healthy Lifestyle for Pregnant and Postpartum Women”	“Advanced Pediatric Drug Formulation Strategies”

The “Drug Targeting and Design” Section publishes cutting-edge research focused on the rational development of therapeutic agents with enhanced precision, efficacy, and safety. This Section emphasizes innovative strategies for drug discovery, molecular design, and targeted delivery systems that address unmet clinical needs. We welcome multidisciplinary contributions spanning computational drug design, structure–activity relationships, biomolecular engineering, and advanced carrier systems for site-specific drug action.

As all of the articles published in our journal are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full texts. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers that were published in 2023, as listed below.

1. “Current Challenges and Opportunities of Photodynamic Therapy against Cancer”
by Ruben V. Huis in‘t Veld, Jeroen Heuts, Sen Ma, Luis J. Cruz, Ferry A. Ossendorp, and Martine J. Jager
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020330
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/2/330

2. “Polymeric Micellar Systems—A Special Emphasis on “Smart” Drug Delivery”
by Irina Negut and Bogdan Bita
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030976
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/3/976

3. “Recent Studies in Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment: From Basic Research to Clinical Trials”
by Tae Eun Kim and Ji-Eun Chang
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(9), 2257; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092257
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/9/2257

4. “PLGA Particles in Immunotherapy”
by Dennis Horvath and Michael Basler
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020615
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/2/615

5. “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Using Cell-Penetrating Peptide Conjugation, Chemical Modification, and Carrier-Based Delivery Strategies”
by Saeed Anwar, Farin Mir and Toshifumi Yokota
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041130
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1130

6. “Current Treatments and New, Tentative Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease”
by Teresa Pardo-Moreno, Victoria García-Morales, Sami Suleiman-Martos, Antonio Rivas-Domínguez, Himan Mohamed-Mohamed, Juan José Ramos-Rodríguez, Lucía Melguizo-Rodrígue and Anabel González-Acedo
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030770
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/3/770

7. “Lutathera® Orphans: State of the Art and Future Application of Radioligand Therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE”
by Luca Urso, Alberto Nieri, Licia Uccelli, Angelo Castello, Paolo Artioli, Corrado Cittanti, Maria Cristina Marzola, Luigia Florimonte, Massimo Castellani, Sergio Bissoli et al.
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041110
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1110

8. “Optimizing Antiviral Dosing for HSV and CMV Treatment in Immunocompromised Patients”
by Daan W. Huntjens, Jacob A. Dijkstra, Lisanne N. Verwiel, Mirjam Slijkhuis, Paul Elbers, Matthijs R. A. Welkers, Agnes I. Veldkamp, Marianne A. Kuijvenhoven, David C. de Leeuw, Heshu Abdullah-Koolmees et al.
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010163
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/1/163

9. “Hydroxyapatite Thin Films of Marine Origin as Sustainable Candidates for Dental Implants”
by Gabriela Dorcioman, Valentina Grumezescu, George E. Stan, Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc, Gratiela Pircalabioru Gradisteanu, Florin Miculescu, Elena Matei, Gianina Popescu-Pelin, Irina Zgura, Valentin Craciun et al.
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(4), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041294
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/4/1294

10. “Fc-Engineered Therapeutic Antibodies: Recent Advances and Future Directions”
by Dalia T. Abdeldaim and Katharina Schindowski
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2402; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102402
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/10/2402

MDPI will be attending the 5th European Conference on Pharmaceutics held in Porto, Portugal, from 24 to 25 March 2025. The European Conferences on Pharmaceutics are held every two years (in March/April of odd-number years). They are jointly organized by the APGI (International Society of Drug Delivery Sciences and Technology), APV (International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology), and SITELF (Italian Society of Pharmaceutical Technology and Legislation and Related Disciplines).

The aim of this conference is to help bridge the gap between fundamental academic research and industrial applications, offering the opportunity to initiate fruitful exchange and cooperation between universities and industry. The conference represents a perfect opportunity for young as well as established scientists from all over the world to present their work, discuss their most recent scientific findings, network, and share their experience with colleagues. Leading experts in the field from around the world will give plenary lectures and invited talks on hot topics. They will provide overviews on the current state of the art in their respective domains and outlooks on future perspectives.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Pharmaceuticals;
• Pharmaceutics;
• Antibiotics;
• Neurology International;
• Future Pharmacology;
• DDC;
• Pharmacoepidemiology;
• Viruses.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please visit our booth #21. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://managedreg.crowdcomms.com/5th-european-conference-on-pharmaceutics.

The “Drug Delivery and Controlled Release” Section publishes pioneering research in the broad field of drug delivery and release science, as well as their applications in human and veterinary medicine. We take a holistic approach and encourage multidisciplinarity to understand new developments in drug delivery and release. Areas of interest include the mechanistic understanding of drug delivery systems underpinned by sound biological and physicochemical principles, mathematical modeling, predictive science, drug delivery systems, and cellular interaction to meet the therapeutic needs at hand. Both theoretical and interpretative studies, as well as applied research, are welcome.

As all of the articles published in our journal are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full texts. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2023, listed below.

1. “Current Trends in Gelatin-Based Drug Delivery Systems”
by Francesca Milano, Annalia Masi, Marta Madaghiele, Alessandro Sannino, Luca Salvatore and Nunzia Gallo
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(5), 1499; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15051499
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/5/1499

2. “Recent Progress of Lipid Nanoparticles-Based Lipophilic Drug Delivery: Focus on Surface Modifications”
by Yoseph Seo, Hayeon Lim, Hyunjun Park, Jiyun Yu, Jeongyun An, Hah Young Yoo and Taek Lee
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030772
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/3/772

3. “Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Improved Drug Bioavailability and Activity: Synthetic and Analytical Aspects”
by Álvaro Sarabia-Vallejo, María del Mar Caja, Ana I. Olives, M. Antonia Martín and J. Carlos Menéndez
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(9), 2345; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15092345
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/9/2345

4. “Are Natural Compounds a Promising Alternative to Synthetic Cross-Linking Agents in the Preparation of Hydrogels?”
by Paulina Sapuła, Katarzyna Bialik-Wąs and Katarzyna Malarz
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010253
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/1/253

5. “Microneedle-Mediated Transdermal Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals”
by Hiep X. Nguyen and Chien N. Nguyen
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010277
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/1/277

6. “Controlled Drug Release from Nanoengineered Polysaccharides”
by Ilker S. Bayer
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(5), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15051364
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/5/1364

7. “Pluronic F-68 and F-127 Based Nanomedicines for Advancing Combination Cancer Therapy”
by Nisar Ul Khaliq, Juyeon Lee, Sangwoo Kim, Daekyung Sung and Hyungjun Kim
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2102; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082102
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/8/2102

8. “Exosome-Based Drug Delivery: Translation from Bench to Clinic”
by Hee Byung Koh, Hyo Jeong Kim, Shin-Wook Kang and Tae-Hyun Yoo
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2042; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082042
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/8/2042

9. “Lipid Nanoparticles Functionalized with Antibodies for Anticancer Drug Therapy”
by Ana Camila Marques, Paulo C. Costa, Sérgia Velho and Maria Helena Amaral
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(1), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010216
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/1/216

10. “Rapidly Dissolving Microneedles for the Delivery of Steroid-Loaded Nanoparticles Intended for the Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases”
by Hala Dawud and Aiman Abu Ammar
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(2), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020526
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/2/526

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.

MDPI, a pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Singapore, proudly announce the successful conclusion of the first edition the MDPI Early Career Researcher Awards. The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to medical and biomedical research, were presented to six exceptional researchers during an awards ceremony held at LKCMedicine HQ Building on 28 November 2024.

Honoring Excellence in Research

The awards recognize exceptional postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students who have demonstrated outstanding originality, innovation, and impact in their respective fields. We are honored to announce the winners of the 2024 edition:

Early Career Researcher (Postdoc) Award:

• Dr. Theresia Handayani Mina, “Adiposity and Metabolic Health in Asian Populations: An Epidemiological Study Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Singapore”;
• Dr. Erfan Rezvani Ghomi, “Wound Healing Improvement by Novel Aligned Antimicrobial Nanofibrous 3D Scaffolds”;
• Dr. Yadollah Ranjbar Slamloo, “Functional Alterations of The Prefrontal Circuit Underlying Cognitive Aging in Mice”.

Early Career Researcher (Ph.D.) Award:

• Pritisha Rozario, “Mechanistic Basis for Potassium Efflux-Driven Activation of the Human NLRP1 Inflammasome”;

• Michelle Law Cheok Yien, “Chikungunya Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 is a Versatile RNA Capping and Decapping Enzyme”;
• Yin Ruoyu, “The Use of Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Tools in Older Adults: A Mixed Method Study”.

Our collaboration highlights a shared commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and research within the academic community, addressing today’s healthcare challenges, and inspiring continued innovation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on the success of the first edition, MDPI and LKCMedicine are excited to announce that the 2025 MDPI Early Researcher Awards will continue to celebrate excellence and innovation in medical research. The next edition promises to expand its scope, introducing new categories and providing even greater recognition for impactful research.

Further details on the 2025 awards, including nomination criteria and timelines, will be shared in the coming months. We remain committed to fostering a culture of research excellence and collaboration within the global scientific community.