Announcements

MDPI is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Best Paper Awards, celebrating exceptional research for its scientific merit and broad impact. After a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Academic Editors, this year’s awards showcase papers that stand out for their innovation, relevance, and high-quality presentation.

Out of a highly competitive pool, 396 winning papers have been recognized for their exceptional contributions. We congratulate these authors for pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.

At MDPI, we are dedicated to broadening the reach of innovative science. To learn more about the award-winning papers and explore research projects in your field of study, please visit the following links:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Business and Economics;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Computer Sciences and Mathematics;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities;
• Physical Sciences;
• Public Health and Healthcare.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the global research community and enhance academic dialogue, MDPI journals regularly host award programs across diverse scientific disciplines. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and whose work drives the advancement of their fields.

Explore the Best Paper Awards open for participation, please click here.

As we draw closer to EGU 2026, taking place from 3 to 8 May, MDPI warmly invites you to visit us at Booth #19 in the Austria Center, Vienna. We have prepared a range of engaging activities and special gifts for the event, and our team looks forward to welcoming you and sharing this experience together.

EGU 2026 brings together over 20,000 geoscientists from around the world—a wonderful opportunity to openly address the pressing challenges of our time, including climate realities, energy shortages, and resource allocation, while exploring thoughtful pathways toward climate solutions.

Come and join MDPI’s special ‘Meet the Editor’ session at EGU26! Our academic editors will be at the booth, ready to chat with you on questions such as: (1) Paper writing and submission strategies; (2) Experiences as a reviewer, author, or editorial board member; (3) Featured questions collected from on-site participants.	Have burning questions about paper writing, peer review, or open access publishing? Write down your concerns on sticky note, and post it on the QA Hub board. See what others are asking, add your voice, and maybe hear your question answered on the spot. Selected questions will be answered live during the MDPI ‘Meet the Editor’ session.
Already following MDPI on LinkedIn? Or maybe you are new to MDPI—no worries! Just two simple steps, and you will get a chance to spin the wheel and win some fun surprises: (1) Follow MDPI on LinkedIn; (2) Scan the QR code to register as an MDPI Follower during EGU26. Once you are all set, spin the wheel and enjoy the excitement!	Step into the MDPI booth and make a promise to your academic journey. After successfully registering as an MDPI follower, write down a research-related wish or goal you hope to achieve within the next year—whether it is submitting your first paper, finishing a review, or celebrating a publication. Drop it into our Time Capsule, and patiently wait for one year. Let MDPI review your progress with you!

Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #19 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.egu26.eu/.

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Kosmas Lalas, and I am currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Western Macedonia. I hold a degree from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Patras, where I first began specializing in environmental engineering. In general, my research focuses on advanced oxidation processes for the removal of micropollutants. I conducted my core research at the University of Patras under the supervision of Prof. Frontistis. Additionally, I gained valuable international experience as a visiting researcher at the Solar Platform of Almería under the supervision of Prof. Malato and at the Gdansk University of Technology under the supervision of Professor Boćkaj. I am currently finalizing the writing of my dissertation and looking for my next professional chapter.

2. What is your impression of Water?
I consider Water to be a high-level platform for environmental engineering, particularly due to its comprehensive focus on water and wastewater management and its significant contributions to the field of advanced oxidation processes, which is my concern. Furthermore, its commitment to open access is of great importance, as it ensures that high-quality research on micropollutant degradation reaches a global audience rapidly and without barriers. Finally, I have been consistently impressed by the journal’s efficient peer-review process, a sentiment shared by many of my colleagues in the scientific community.

3. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of water in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
I expect the future research to focus on increasing sustainability and intensifying efforts to apply new technologies for water management under real-world conditions. A key trend that I address in my own research is the coupling of treatment processes with renewable energy sources, which significantly enhances their application potential. Furthermore, I anticipate a major shift toward the circular economy, which I think has already begun, specifically through the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts from industrial waste or biomass. Finally, the integration of technologies like AOPs into hybrid systems, perhaps by combining them with membrane filtration or biological treatments. These approaches will be essential to achieve full mineralization and facilitate safe, large-scale water reuse.

4. Why did you choose to participate in the ECWS-9, and what was the most appealing aspect for you?
Participation in the ECWS-9 was motivated by our team's ongoing research on water management. We sought to examine current methodologies and leverage the contributions of distinguished researchers from the international community. Having collaborated with institutions abroad, I can appreciate the electronic format as particularly attractive, as it removes geographical barriers and allows for a free, diverse exchange of ideas. Additionally, we wanted to present our recent work on a leading platform that facilitates the spread of innovative water research to a wide audience, while also benefiting from the high visibility that this conference provides for our findings.

5. Reflecting on the conference, what aspects do you think were particularly well organized or valuable?
In my experience, the conference was extremely well organized, successfully overcoming the challenges often associated with remote events. The user-friendly digital platform allowed me to navigate thematic sessions and participate in presentations at my own pace, while the program remained timely and well-paced. One of the most valuable aspects was the quality of the discussion platform. The written format facilitated detailed exchanges of views that often led to more precise and thoughtful comments than a live Q&A discussion. This allowed us to delve into the technical details and highlights of the research presented. Finally, I found it very important that the broad subject areas covered the full range of research interests, ensuring that the information provided was relevant to all stakeholders, from academia to industry.

6. If you were to recommend the ECWS to others for the next edition, what key strengths or features would you highlight?
I would definitely recommend the ECWS to my colleagues, highlighting its accessibility and global reach as its main strengths. The conference provides an excellent platform for researchers to present their work to an international audience without the various travel constraints. I would particularly highlight the strong link with Water, which ensures that the research presented receives high visibility and a clear path to effective publication.

Coming up next：

The 10th International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences (https://sciforum.net/event/ECWS-10)
Conference date: 24–27 November 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: 3 July 2026
Early Bird Registration Deadline: 31 August 2026
Covering Author Registration Deadline: 31 August 2026
Registration Deadline: 18 November 2026
ECWS conference series: https://sciforum.net/event-series/ECWS

See you there!

Name: Prof. Dr. Sara Todeschini
Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAr), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Interests: hydraulic infrastructures; urban hydrology and hydraulics; stormwater; monitoring; numerical modelling; design; management; uncertainty; urban flooding

I am an Associate Professor of Hydraulic Structures at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAr) of the University of Pavia and a Member of the Technical Scientific Committee of the Interdepartmental Centre for Water Research (CRA) of the University of Pavia. I am involved in research projects and scientific consulting activities in the field of hydrology, hydraulics, and hydraulic structures, with a particular focus on integrated urban water cycle management and modelling of water flows and contaminant transport in natural and anthropogenic environments, including uncertainty.

When reviewing a manuscript, I use a two-step approach. The first phase consists of reading the manuscript in its entirety to check overall consistency, scientific soundness and novelty. The second phase involves a more in-depth reading with a systematic evaluation of each section. In the review process, I address the following key aspects: originality and relevance of the study’s aim, quality of scientific content, rigor and precision, clarity of presentation, and completeness of research design.

A reviewer must be aware that his or her contribution is essential to maintaining a healthy and vibrant editorial cycle. The reviewer must know and respect the journal's ethical guidelines, adhere to review process procedures, meet deadlines and have confidence in the editorial team. A reviewer should provide an honest and rigorous evaluation of the work, demonstrating a proactive and respectful spirit even when identifying gaps and critical issues that may preclude a favorable recommendation. In summary, in my opinion, the essential qualities for a reviewer should be honesty, objectivity, rigor, a spirit of collaboration, and a constructive attitude.

First of all, I firmly believe that serving as a reviewer is a valuable experience that brings both professional and personal advantages. I recommend carrying out revisions with curiosity and an open perspective. To effectively meet review deadlines, it is essential for me to set a manageable number of revisions to be completed in a given period, taking into account scheduled teaching, institutional, and research commitments. It is also helpful to mark on my calendar intermediate review deadlines consistent with the distribution of all commitments. I usually prepare reviews that conform to the journal's peer review checklist and, as a basis, follow standard or structured peer review question banks. I try to be clear in my requests to the authors, specifying the corrections and additions that need to be implemented to address my concerns. I usually provide my impressions on the significance, interest and possible impact of the work and summarize the novelty and main criticisms of the paper in order to objectively justify my decision to the editor.

AI represents a great technological and social revolution at the service of humanity. However, it is necessary to use AI with critical awareness to mitigate related risks. Human intellectual contribution must prevail in the conduct of scientific research, in the writing of manuscripts and in the preparation of review reports. I believe that AI tools can be helpful in the editing and polishing phase of human-written documents to improve syntax, grammar, and overall textual clarity, both in manuscripts and in review reports. In my opinion, AI could be used to support authors and reviewers who need to maintain a critical judgement based on solid knowledge and holistic reasoning.

Even if writing a scientific paper is a creative intellectual process, I recommend that authors adhere to the guidelines of the target journal. It is advisable to draft a first version of the manuscript and revise it to ensure consistency, accuracy and logical flow.  In my opinion, the golden rule of scientific writing is clarity through simplicity, as complex ideas, elaborate data, and complex graphs usually need to be condensed into a single article. Presenting scholarly work that is easily understandable and readable is essential for effective communication between authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.

Open access (OA) is becoming an increasingly important reality in the scientific publishing landscape. I believe that OA has great potential, as it allows immediate, free, and global access to scientific information, increasing visibility, networking possibilities and citation rates, which are crucial aspects for publicly funded studies. Furthermore, OA contributes concretely to a more dynamic and effective relationship between the scientific community and society. It fosters greater scientific literacy, a fundamental requirement for the active involvement of citizens in science and in influencing public policy.

We are thrilled to share the updated Exceptional Reviewers List 2026. This program was established to recognize and honor scholars who have consistently delivered exceptional review reports to our journal. Committed to fostering rigorous research and promoting knowledge exchange, Water (ISSN: 2073-4441) acknowledges the vital role our reviewers play in maintaining the quality and integrity of the articles we publish. According to surveys conducted in 2025, 93% of our authors rated the peer review process as good or excellent, reflecting the strength and effectiveness of our reviewer community.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the reviewers who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist in Water’s peer-review process. Their dedication and attention to detail in evaluating manuscripts, offering valuable feedback, and contributing to academic rigor are truly commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was introduced in May 2024. Each quarter, we will select a group of outstanding reviewers and introduce them here.

Q1

See what our reviewers say about the review process of Water: https://www.mdpi.com/testimonials?type=all&journal_id=36&page_count=20.

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.

Name: Dr. Michael Nones
Affiliation: Department of Hydrology and Hydrodynamics, Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Interests: hydraulics; sediment transport; floods; remote sensing; hydro-morphodynamics

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your field of research?
I am an Associate Professor at the Institute of Geophysics PAS in Warsaw, Poland. My scientific background is in river engineering and hydro-morphology. For my research, I combine multiple approaches, spanning from numerical modelling to field investigations and satellite remote sensing, as the integration of such methods helps me form a more complete picture of water-related issues. I've been actively involved in the scientific community in various aspects of the publishing process, as an author and as a peer reviewer, but also as an editor.

2. What key aspects do you typically focus on during the review process?
I always start by asking whether the study is in line with the scope of the journal I am reviewing for, and if it addresses clear and meaningful research questions. From there, I look at the soundness of the methodology, answering the following types of questions: Are the data collection and analysis approaches appropriate for the claims being made? Are the proposed approaches and solutions site specific, or could they be extended beyond the study area, and have a wider impact? Are the models properly described, also in terms of data sources, to allow the study to be reproduced?
I also pay close attention to how findings are interpreted and commented, using some guiding questions: Are the conclusions actually supported by the data, or are the authors’ claims not fully justifiable? How does this study fit in the current state of the art, and how far beyond this does it go?

3. In your opinion, what qualities are essential for a reviewer to possess?
I think a good reviewer needs to be thorough but fair and polite. It's easy to find flaws in any manuscript, as science is built on top of mistakes. The real skill is distinguishing between issues that genuinely undermine the science and those that are minor or stylistic and could be addressed by further development of the manuscript.
A good reviewer also needs to be constructive: the goal is to help authors improve their work, not to gatekeep, so I try to provide authors with as many detailed comments as possible, suggesting possible ways to address current problems.
Intellectual honesty is very important too—being willing to recommend acceptance even when a paper challenges your own views. I always start from the fact that I could learn something while reviewing a manuscript, as others’ points of view always matters.
I am always double checking my time before committing to an invitation to review, as authors and editors are waiting for me, and I should respect deadlines.

4. As an outstanding reviewer for MDPI, do you have any tips or experiences to share that could help other reviewers improve the quality of their reviews?
One thing I've found really helpful is reading the manuscript twice before writing a single comment, the first time to gain a general impression, and then again reading more critically, eventually focusing on specific sections.
I also try to organise my comments clearly, flagging major issues first, then minor ones, so the authors know where to focus their energy. I also find it very important not to be vague, so very often I provide authors with a commented version of their manuscript, so it would be easier to relate my comments to the specific section/paragraph.
I am trying to implement what I would like to see as an author: specific, actionable feedback and suggestions on ways to prepare a better and clearer manuscript.

5. What do you think about AI being used in writing manuscripts or review reports?
AI is part of our lives nowadays, and is clearly present in both manuscripts and reviewers’ reports. AI tools can genuinely help with things like language polishing or structuring ideas, especially for researchers writing in a second language (as the majority of us), and I see real value in that. But the scientific thinking, the interpretation of results, and the critical judgement in a review have to come from the researcher and their experience.
I think AI could help, but its use should be disclosed, and it should not substitute the judgement of a real scientist; otherwise, we will lose the importance of human thinking and advancing science thanks to discussions among human beings.

6. Based on your experience reviewing manuscripts, what advice would you give to authors?
First and foremost, I can suggest thinking about the research idea and judging if such an idea is worth being read by others, and if it really advances science. I am seeing an increase in publications that just repeat what is already out there without really advancing our understanding of specific processes, and I am pretty sure that now we have more publications than readers. So the question that should guide authors is, “who is going to read this?” Science is not just about writing, but about writing meaningful material for society.
Once a decision is made regarding a manuscript, it should then be developed following a logical path, with all the sections properly connected and well-developed, to tell an interesting story for the readers. The introduction and the discussion should stand out to show the novelty of the work, while the Materials  and Methods section is key to ensuring the work’s reproducibility and replicability, which are paramount in science. Finally, engage honestly with the limitations of your work; no one pretends (and expects) to see perfect research.

7. Water is an open access journal, as you know, so what is your opinion on the open access model of publication?
I'm genuinely in favour of it, as Water is a global issue, and the science that addresses it should be accessible to everyone, not just researchers who can pay for it. Open access means that Water managers, policymakers, and communities in low-resource settings can actually read and use the research.  I think open access is the right direction for science.

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).

Welcome to the MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar 2026!

Each year, 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.

In this webinar, leading experts will share insights from their research on key environmental challenges and sustainable solutions. The session will foster interdisciplinary dialogue, promote collaboration, and highlight how scientific research can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Date: 22 April 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 834 0870 6694
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/IMED2026

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

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.

Register now for free!

Program:

 Webinar Chair and Speakers:

• Dr. Luxon Nhamo, Water Research Commission of South Africa, South Africa;
• Dr. Sylvia Vetter, University of Aberdeen, UK;
• Dr. Gianpaolo Tomaselli, University of Malta, Malta.