Professor Philip Egberts,  Outstanding Reviewers

University of Calgary, Canada

Philip Egberts obtained his Ph.D. from the McGill University in 2011. Following his PhD studies, he joined the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics department at the University of Pennsylvania where he held a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship.  He joined the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor in 2013 and from 2019-2020 he was a visiting professor and Humboldt Fellow at the University of Hamburg. In 2022-2023, he was appointed Acting Head of the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and then to Associate Dean – Engineering Physics in 2024, and was promoted to Professor in 2023. His current research interests focus on atomic and nanoscale investigation of adhesion, friction, and wear. Linking fundamental study of friction and lubrication with application, for example in nanoparticle enhanced lubricants and tribocorrosion has been a focus while at the University of Calgary.

I am interested in supporting new journals that publish great work, particularly in my field of nanotechnology. I feel that contributing as a reviewer is really important to ensure that the work published is excellent, misinformation or clearly false science is avoided as much as possible, and I hope that I can help my colleagues in the field improve their work by supporting them.

2 ) What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

I really enjoy reading papers as an expert in the field, but also as someone who is more on the outside of the field and expanding my perspective on what my research impacts. I think that this is the most interesting aspect of working in a research role – no matter how well you develop your own skills or background, someone will always know something you didn’t or you can learn something new and interesting from your colleagues. Reviewing is an important and integral part of this experience and I am happy to support the journal.

See some of Philip’s work here: 

Blowing-inspired ex situ preparation of ultrathin hydrogel coatings for visibly monitoring humidity and alkaline gas

Xiao He, Ruijie Yang, Chaochen Xu, Ziqian Zhao, Y. Frank Cheng, Philip Egberts, Hongbo Zeng and Qingye Lu

Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 13952–13964, DOI: 10.1039/D3NR02821F

Michael J. Sailor , Outstanding Reviewer

University of California, United States

Michael J. Sailor is Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego, Director of the UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (an NSF MRSEC), and Director of the UC San Diego Institute for Materials Discovery & Design. He holds Affiliate Appointments in the UC San Diego Bioengineering Department, the Nanoengineering Department, and the Materials Science and Engineering program. He was trained at Harvey Mudd College (BS Chemistry), Northwestern University (PhD Chemistry), Stanford (Post-doctoral), and Caltech (Post-doctoral). He has supervised more than 160 undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students, he is the author of more than 260 peer-reviewed research publications, one book, and 39 issued patents. He has an H-Index (Google Scholar) of 103.  He has founded or co-founded four companies. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Academy of Inventors, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

I have been impressed with the quality of work published in the Nanoscale series, and Nanoscale Horizons is a standout. My attraction to RSC in general is that, more than most professional societies I have encountered, it seems to have maintained a strong focus on supporting the members it serves. This includes, in particular, the junior members who will be the future leaders of our scientific community.  I have seen that this dedication to the membership also permeates the publishing arm of the RSC.

2)    Do you have any advice to first-time authors seeking publication in the journal?

Oh boy there are a lot.  The best advice I have ever been given is “Work on important problems.”

Other bits of more specific advice:

Go over the experimental section of your paper carefully, to be sure that even a relative newcomer to the field will be able to reproduce your experiments.  Interpretations come and go, but the data should be here to stay.

Be sure that other approaches and complementary studies are well referenced and that your results are benchmarked against competing technologies/studies.

Don’t take the reviews personally.  If one reviewer seems to be coming out of left field on your manuscript, it is likely that other readers will have that same thought—think carefully about the reviewer’s comment and take that as an opportunity to revise your manuscript to better communicate your idea.

Don’t just repeat the abstract of your paper in your cover letter to the editor-give an honest (and brief!) assessment of where the work sits in the broader context of the field.  This should also come out in the introduction or discussion section of your manuscript.

It is great to highlight the impact of your work, but it is also OK to point out the limitations of your study.

Don’t recommend a parochial set of reviewers—former coworkers, colleagues, collaborators, people from nearby institutions should not be given. People who you believe are international leaders in the field, who would be able to give authoritative reviews of your paper should be suggested. When you suggest a set of reviewers only from your region of the world, it sends a message to the editor that your paper will have limited appeal within a small geographic region, or it indicates a lack of knowledge on your part of the competing groups working in that research area worldwide.

See some of Michael ‘s work here: 

Stable “snow lantern-like” aggregates of silicon nanoparticles suitable as a drug delivery platform

Helene M. Johnsen, Samira Hossaini Nasr, Rainer De Luna, Willy Filtvedt, Michael J. Sailor, Jon Klaveness and Marianne Hiorth

Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 9899–9910, DOI: 10.1039/D3NR05655D

Mei Chee Tan, Outstanding Reviewer

Singapore University of Technology and Design,

Singapore

Mei Chee Tan is an associate professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. She graduated with her bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering, and earned her master and doctorate degrees with the Singapore-MIT Alliance at the National University of Singapore.

Mei Chee’s research focuses on the study and engineering of tailored interfaces of nanomaterials to synthesize first-in-class multifunctional composites for a myriad of applications ranging from rapid diagnostics and CO2 removal from dilute sources.

1)  What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

One of the biggest learning points achieved by serving as a peer reviewer was the various approaches to provide constructive feedback that addresses technical gaps to improve the overall quality of the submitted manuscript.

2) Has being a reviewer affected how you approach the preparation of your recent manuscripts?

Besides ensuring that the studies are rigorously conducted, the experience as reviewer has influenced the manuscript’s narrative, particularly in articulating the significance and impact of the findings.

See some of Mei Chee Tan ‘s work here: 

A sustainable redox-mediated pathway for improved transition metal organic framework activation and CO₂ uptake performance

Taylor Jade Self, Jiabin Niu, Wen Liu, Chaobin He and Mei Chee Tan

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 30454–30464, DOI: 10.1039/D4TA02526A

Dr. Renren Deng, Outstanding Reviewer

Zhejiang University, China

1) What do you like most about being a reviewer for Nanoscale Horizons?

What I enjoy most is the chance to evaluate and support highly innovative research that often sits at the interface of disciplines—particularly those aligned with my own interests in optical nanomaterials. Nanoscale Horizons prioritizes conceptual novelty, and reviewing for the journal allows me to contribute to advancing emerging ideas, especially in areas like optical nanomaterials and their biomedical applications.

2) What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

A: Reviewing has taught me to view research through multiple lenses—clarity, novelty, and translational potential. It’s also reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue: a materials scientist and a biologist might prioritize very different aspects of the same manuscript.

See some of Renrens’ work here: 

Nonvolatile electrical control of 2D Cr₂Ge₂Te₆ and intrinsic half metallicity in multiferroic hetero-structures

Asif Ilyas, Shuling Xiang, Miaogen Chen, Muhammad Yar Khan, Hua Bai, Pimo He, Yunhao Lu and Renren Deng

Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 1069–1076, DOI: 10.1039/D0NR06054B

Professor Carlo S. Casari,  Outstanding Reviewers

Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Carlo S. Casari is a Full professor in Physics of Matter at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. He obtained a Master degree in Electronic Engineering and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. He works on structural, electronic, optical and transport properties of single and assembled nanostructures including 2D materials beyond graphene with the aim of developing capability to design and realize novel systems and materials with nano-engineered properties. He published more than 170 international scientific papers and has presented original contributions to various international conferences. He has been the Principal Investigator for several competitive projects, including ERC grants (ERC Consolidator in 2016, ERC Proof-of-concept in 2020 and 2022) and EIC projects (EIC Transition KEEPER). He co-founded the startup ENIGMA s.r.l. and spinoff of Politecnico di Milano and won innovation prizes such as Switch2Product by PoliHub, the Startcup Lombardia and the Italian prize for innovation PNI.

Reviewing allowed me to develop a critical point of view when reading a paper. Moreover, I tried to learn from well written papers and well focused research.

2)    Has being a reviewer affected how you approach the preparation of your recent manuscripts?

Being a reviewer greatly helped me to write manuscripts thinking about possible comments by reviewers. It also helped me to better select the target journal for my works.

See some of Carlo’s work here: 

Unraveling interfacial interactions in reduced Nb2CTx/GO heterostructures for highly stable and transparent narrow-band photoelectrochemical photodetectors

Muhammad Abiyyu Kenichi Purbayanto, Subrata Ghosh, Dorota Moszczynska, Carlo Spartaco Casari, Agnieszka Jastrzębska

Nanoscale Horiz., 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Julián Bergueiro Álvarez, Outstanding Reviewer

University of Santiago de Compostela

Dr. Julián Bergueiro Álvarez received his BS in Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 2007. In 2008 he obtained the MS in Organic Chemistry and in 2013 he received his PhD from USC for his work in sterecontrolled synthesis of retinoids employing transition metal catalysed reactions in the key steps. During the last year of his PhD, he joined the group of Prof. F. Freire to work on the synthesis and characterization of stimuli response helical polymers and poly(phenylacetylene)s@gold nanoparticles nanocomposites. In October 2013, he joined Prof. M. Calderón group to carry out his postdoctoral research at Freie Universität Berlin. In 2016 he stayed at Aida lab in Tokyo University working on molecular glue-based stimuli responsive nanoarticles. In 2018 he joined Granja/Montenegro labs at CiQUS (University of Santiago de Compostela) within the Spanish Ministry of Science returning program Juan de la Cierva. In 2021 he was awarded with the Spanish tenure track system (Ramon y Cajal fellowship) at CiQUS. His current research is focused on the use of chirality for the supramolecular assembly of peptides and synthetic polymers.

I believe the most valuable contribution a reviewer can make is to provide constructive, thoughtful feedback. My primary goal when reviewing is to offer comments that not only assess the current work but also suggest ways to enhance its novelty and impact, whether through additional experiments or a shift in focus.

Many manuscripts that are not accepted in the first round have significant potential for improvement. I’ve experienced this myself as an author: although the initial feedback can feel challenging, I’ve often ended up feeling grateful for the constructive suggestions. In nearly every case, the additional work led to a much solid, more impactful paper.

Ultimately, I see peer review as a powerful tool, not just for quality control, but for advancing as researchers, sharpen our thinking, and become better communicators.

2) Has being a reviewer affected how you approach the preparation of your recent manuscripts?

Absolutely. Since I began reviewing, I’ve developed a more strategic and critical perspective when preparing my own manuscripts. Trying to put yourself in the reviewer’s shoes—especially when evaluating work outside your immediate discipline—can be challenging, but it’s an incredibly valuable exercise. It often reveals weaknesses or gaps in your research that you might not have noticed otherwise.

Now, I make a conscious effort to act as my own “Reviewer #2” before I even start writing. This mindset not only improves the quality of the manuscript but also makes the review process smoother.

See some of Julián’s work here: 

Self-assembly of cyclic peptide monolayers by hydrophobic supramolecular hinges

Ignacio Insua, Annalisa Cardellini, Sandra Díaz, Julian Bergueiro, Riccardo Capelli, Giovanni M Pavan, Javier Montenegro

Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 14074-14081

Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, Outstanding Reviewer

TU Darmstadt, Germany

Annette Andrieu-Brunsen studied Chemistry at the Philipps Universita¨t Marburg (Germany). She got her PhD from the Johannes-Gutenberg Universität and the Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz (Germany) partly funded by the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes in 2010 and has been working together with Prof. Soler-Illia and Prof. Azzaroni at the CNEA in Buenos Aires (Argentina) before being appointed as the Assistant Professor at the TU-Darmstadt (Germany). In 2018 she was appointed as an associate professor at TU-Darmstadt and in 2020 she was appointed as a full professor at TU Darmstadt (Germany). She received several awards and was granted an ERC StG in 2018. Her research interest focuses on functional nanopore and nanopore transport design. This includes polymer functionalization of spatially confined nanopores, nanopore wetting and charge control, innovative nanoporous material and architecture design as well as automated design procedures.

I would recommend to write precise comments clearly referring to statements in the manuscript or to specific literature references and to explain judgements clearly. I as well recommend to write in a respectful style.

2) What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Reviewing allows to read latest research intensively and to help improving it. If this leads to an improved manuscript or an intensive discussion this is rewarding.

See some of Annette Andrieu-Brunsen ‘s work here: 

Grafting and controlled release of antimicrobial peptides from mesoporous silica

Mohadeseh Bagherabadi, Marie Fleckenstein, Oleksandr Moskalyk, Andrea Belluati, Olga Avrutina, Annette Andrieu-Brunsen

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024, 12, 8167-8180

Jana Kalbáčová Vejpravová, Outstanding Reviewer

Charles University, Prague

Jana Kalbáčová Vejpravová is a full professor and group leader at the Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague. She earned her MSc in Chemistry from Charles University in 2003, followed by a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Research in 2007. Following postdoctoral work at Hasselt University in Belgium and the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, she served as head of department at the Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, from 2011 to 2017. Her research focuses on the experimental physics of low-dimensional materials, such as carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, graphene, and other 2D materials. Her work emphasizes advanced magnetometry techniques and cryomagnetic optical spectroscopies, complemented by ~25 years of experience in neutron and synchrotron radiation scattering techniques applied to magnetic and nanomaterials. She has secured ~20 funded projects as a principal investigator (~10 million EUR), including the prestigious ERC Starting Grant in 2016. She also contributes to the field as a member of the expert panel for Graphene Flagship monitoring and as a reviewer for the Swiss National Science Foundation, along with an expert panel role on the Research, Development, and Innovation Council. Additionally, she chairs the doctoral school in Physics of Nanostructures and Nanomaterials and co-founded the bachelor study program Science at the Charles University. Her research output includes ~200 publications in high-impact journals, ~30 invited or plenary talks, and numerous awards, including the Scopus/Elsevier Award (2010), the Otto Wichterle Award (2014), and the F. Behounek Award for promoting Czech science within the European Research Area (2019). She was also named one of the top female researchers in Czechia by Forbes in 2023.

I greatly enjoy the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and explore emerging trends in my field. Reviewing for Nanoscale Horizons allows me to encounter clever, often highly original ideas early on, which is both intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.

2)    What encouraged you to become a reviewer for Nanoscale Horizons?

The excellent reputation of Nanoscale Horizons was a key motivation, along with a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to the scientific community by critically assessing submitted work. I also have prior experience reviewing for other journals, so joining the Nanoscale Horizons reviewer community felt like a natural and meaningful next step.

3)    Do you have any advice to first-time authors seeking publication in the journal?

While I don’t have one specific piece of advice, I would encourage first-time authors to trust in the value of their work while also remaining critical and open-minded. Constructive criticism is part of the process—take it as an opportunity to strengthen your manuscript and grow as a researcher.

4)    What would you recommend to new reviewers to ensure their report is helpful?

I would recommend paying attention to all aspects of the manuscript—scientific content, methodology, clarity, and presentation. Formulate your comments clearly and constructively, aiming to guide rather than judge. It’s also helpful to look at published reviewer reports for inspiration. Avoid generic statements or feedback based purely on personal impressions; a good review should be specific, balanced, and evidence-based.

5)    What has been your biggest learning point from reviewing?

Reviewing has helped me develop the ability to engage more deeply with topics that lie slightly outside my immediate area of expertise, broadening my scientific perspective. One of the most valuable aspects has been the indirect interaction with authors—seeing how they respond to feedback has given me insights into how my reviews are received and how I can improve my approach.

6)    Has being a reviewer affected how you approach the preparation of your recent manuscripts?

Yes, definitely. Reviewing has made me much more attentive to how the main story of the paper is formulated and how clearly it is communicated. I also pay closer attention to technical details, presentation, and overall coherence—essentially, I try to address in my own work all the issues that I know can be problematic from a reviewer’s perspective.

See some of Jana Kalbáčová Vejpravová ‘s work here: 

Sulfur isotope engineering in heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides

Vaibhav Varade; Golam Haider; Martin Kalbac; Jana Vejpravova

Nanoscale Adv., 2025,7, 1276-1286

Kenneth A. Dawson, Community Board Member

University College Dublin, Ireland

Professor Kenneth A. Dawson is Director of the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI). The scientific focus of this Centre is to understand the interaction of nanostructures with living systems (www.ucd.ie/cbni).

Professor Dawson’s work aims to obtain a fundamental mechanistic and molecularly based understanding of the interactions between nanostructures and living systems. He is the discoverer of the ‘biomolecular corona’ effect via which an in situ tapestry of molecules at the nanoscale interface addresses and regulates endogenous biological processing machinery in qualitatively new ways from single molecules. He has been unravelling the detailed mechanisms by which biology recognizes structures on the nanoscale. In the early phase of this work he was awarded the US National Academy Cozzarelli Prize. He has also been awarded the Richardson Prize and Medal of Royal Society of Chemistry, Sloan, Dreyfus, IBM Foundation prizes, and has been distinguished visiting Professor by Chinese Academy, Brazilian Science Foundation, the Canon Foundation. He is an Academician of the Royal Irish Academy, FRSC, and various international scientific organizations.

Prof. Dawson is Chair of Physical Chemistry at University College Dublin, has been chairman of the National BioNanoscience Action, co-ordinator of the European Infrastructure, managed numerous large scale multi-sectoral cross-disciplinary research international and EU projects. He has represented Ireland on various international bodies, including the OECD and ISO working groups on standards for Nanotechnology, been an advisor in the EU ‘New Risk ‘Committee of the European Commission, the ad hoc Advisory group of the European Medicines Agency, and numerous other agencies and foundations around the world.

Nanoscale Horizons has a broad and open minded view of the field and its future.

2)  What would you recommend to new reviewers to ensure their report is helpful?  

While finding potential weaknesses is important, also look for the potential for significant advances in their work. That may have more lasting value, especially if you support the authors to express those elements more clearly.

See some of Kenneth A. Dawson’ work here: 

A microfluidic approach for synthesis and kinetic profiling of branched gold nanostructures

Qi Cai, Valentina Castagnola, Luca Boselli, Alirio Moura, Hender Lopez, Wei Zhang, João M de Araújo, Kenneth A Dawson

Nanoscale Horiz., 2022, 7, 288-298

Professor Raju Kumar Gupta, Advisory Board Member

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Dr. Raju Kumar Gupta is currently a Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India. Prof. Gupta’s research group has made important contributions to the area of sustainable materials, green synthesis, nanostructured materials for wastewater treatment and energy storage applications. His current research interests are Photocatalysis for wastewater remediation and CO₂ capture & conversion to fuels, Desalination, Perovskite solar cells, Recycling of spent batteries and Energy storage devices based on batteries. Prof. Gupta has been recipient of several fellowships and awards for his outstanding career in academic and research fields. Some of the fellowships and awards include DST Inspire Faculty Award 2013, IEI Young Engineer Award (2014-15), Young Scientist Award (2014-15), P. K. Kelkar Young Faculty Research Fellowship 2018, Distinguished Young Alumnus Awards 2021, PK Kelkar Young Faculty Fellowship 2022 and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) 2022. He has authored more than 140 research articles in international journals, 7 patents, 3 edited books, 18 book chapters, guest edited special issues for several international journals, and his work has been cited more than 11500 times. Prof. Gupta is an editorial board member of several international journals, as well as a member of scientific bodies. Some of his significant appointments include Founding Editor for Elsevier journal ‘Sustainable Chemistry One World’; Associate Editor for Elsevier journal ‘Solar Energy’; Editorial Board member for Nature Research journal ‘Scientific Reports’, Wiley journals ‘IET Nanodielectrics’ & ‘Journal of Polymer Science’, Elsevier journals ‘Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry’ & ‘Materials Today Sustainability’; Editorial Advisory Board member for ACS journal ‘Environmental Science & Technology Water’, Wiley journal ‘Energy Technology’, Royal Society of Chemistry journals ‘Nanoscale Horizons’, ‘Reaction Chemistry & Engineering’ and ‘Molecular Systems Design & Engineering’.

Nanoscale Horizons provides a versatile platform for applying nanoscale research in multidisciplinary backgrounds such as nanomaterials, photonics, energy, biomedical, environment and others. Being on the Advisory Board for Nanoscale Horizons makes me enthusiastic about pushing the boundaries of multidisciplinary nanoscale research for societal benefits and working with global researchers who are motivated to apply nanoscale research to solve the existing challenges in the world through scientific innovations.

2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

Nanoscale Horizons is dedicated to publishing impactful science and engineering for real-life applications. It becomes obvious by the Journal’s guidelines for highlighting new concepts developed or breakthroughs and how they differ from the existing research following future implications in the field of nanotechnology research. Furthermore, a range of publication formats, including communications, reviews, minireviews, focus articles, and comments followed by cover art, provides a thorough opportunity to contribute to the scientific community. The Journal publishes scientific breakthroughs in emerging topics and disseminates and acknowledges the exceptional publications that make the researchers and research stand out in nanoscience and nanotechnology research.

See some of Raju’s work here: 

An activated carbon fiber supported Fe2O3@ bismuth carbonate heterojunction for enhanced visible light degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants

Prasenjit Kar, Komal Shukla, Pratyush Jain and Raju Kumar Gupta

React. Chem. Eng., 2021,6, 2029-2041

Yikai Xu, Community Board member

East China University of Science and Technology

Dr. Yikai Xu is a tenure-track professor at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). Before this he was a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). He obtained his BSc at ECUST and completed his PhD studies at QUB with Prof Steven E. J. Bell. He was the recipient of the 2019 Kathleen Lonsdale Royal Irish Academy Prize and is also recognized as an “Emerging Investigator” by the Journal of Materials Chemistry C and Analyst published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. He currently acts as an Associate Editor for Carbon Capture Science & Technology, a Community Board Member for Nanoscale Horizons and an Early Career Editor Board Member for Nano Materials Science. Dr Xu has co-authored 42 peer-reviewed articles in leading international journals, including Nat. Protoc., Chem, Nat. Commun., JACS Au, Angew. Chem., Nano Lett., Acc. Chem. Res., Chem. Soc. Rev. His research has received +4200 citations, H-index 21 per Google Scholar.

Dr Xu’s research group is currently focused on studying surface chemistry processes taking place on noble metal nanomaterials using mainly SERS. This entails the development of novel colloidal nanoparticles, their assemblies and polymeric hybrids with strong plasmonic properties and accessible surfaces. This allows the materials to act as both the enhancing substrate and the model material for operando SERS studies in catalysis and bioprocesses alike.

I have been a Community Board member since 2019, being a part of the Nanoscale Horizons Community Board has meant a great deal to me. Being part of the board has many perks. It not only has been a great learning experience for me but also a huge career boost. The Community Board has also been a platform for me to meet peers and extend my professional network. However, my favorite part of the experience has been the valuable insight that I have been able to gain into academic publishing, from the early stages of setting up a journal to growing its brand.

2)What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

During my time as a board member, I have seen the journal’s reputation grow tremendously in the nano community and particularly in my area of research. When I started as a board member in 2019, there was only 1 publication related to SERS published in Nanoscale Horizons, now in 2025 this number has grown to 55! Undoubtedly this number will only continue to grow, and I look forward to continuing to participate in the growth of our journal in the future.

See some of Yikai Xu’s work here: 

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: a half-century historical perspective

Jun Yi, En-Ming You, Ren Hu, De-Yin Wu, Guo-Kun Liu, Zhi-Lin Yang, Hua Zhang, Yu Gu, Yao-Hui Wang, Xiang Wang, Hao Ma, Yang Yang, Jun-Yang Liu, Feng Ru Fan, Chao Zhan, Jing-Hua Tian, Yu Qiao, Hailong Wang, Si-Heng Luo, Zhao-Dong Meng, Bing-Wei Mao, Jian-Feng Li, Bin Ren, Javier Aizpurua, Vartkess Ara Apkarian, Philip N Bartlett, Jeremy Baumberg, Steven EJ Bell, Alexandre G Brolo, Louis E Brus, Jaebum Choo, Li Cui, Volker Deckert, Katrin F Domke, Zhen-Chao Dong, Sai Duan, Karen Faulds, Renee Frontiera, Naomi Halas, Christy Haynes, Tamitake Itoh, Janina Kneipp, Katrin Kneipp, Eric C Le Ru, Zhi-Peng Li, Xing Yi Ling, Jacek Lipkowski, Luis M Liz-Marzán, Jwa-Min Nam, Shuming Nie, Peter Nordlander, Yukihiro Ozaki, Rajapandiyan Panneerselvam, Jürgen Popp, Andrea E Russell, Sebastian Schlücker, Yang Tian, Lianming Tong, Hongxing Xu, Yikai Xu, Liangbao Yang, Jianlin Yao, Jin Zhang, Yang Zhang, Yao Zhang, Bing Zhao, Renato Zenobi, George C Schatz, Duncan Graham, Zhong-Qun Tian

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2025, 54, 1453-1551

Yuan Fang, Community Board Member

Soochow University

Yuan Fang is a Professor at the Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) at Soochow University. She obtained her M.S. degree (2013) from Concordia University (advisor: Professor Louis Cuccia) and then received her Ph.D. degree (2017) from KU Leuven (advisor: Professor Steven De Feyter). She then pursued postdoctoral research at McGill University with Professor Dmytro Perepichka. Recognized for her exceptional research contributions, Dr. Fang was awarded the prestigious Alice Wilson Award by the Royal Society of Canada in 2019, underscoring her impact in the field. Her research focuses on supramolecular chemistry and the development of novel covalent organic frameworks (COFs), particularly in surface-confined systems. With a strong emphasis on chirality, she explores chiral self-assembly at surfaces, designs chiral COFs and chiral polymers. Beyond fundamental studies, her research is expanding toward the advancement of thin-film electronics and the next generation of bio-inspired functional materials, aiming to bridge nature’s principles with cutting-edge nanotechnology.

As a researcher in nanoscience, I find Nanoscale Horizons particularly valuable for its interdisciplinary approach, bringing together insights from chemistry, materials science, and physics to foster innovation. Beyond its strong reputation for publishing groundbreaking work, the journal’s commitment to rapid dissemination ensures that transformative discoveries reach the scientific community in a timely manner, accelerating progress across fields from materials science to nanomedicine. Over the past decade, Nanoscale Horizons has established itself as a leading platform for cutting-edge research, and I look forward to seeing how it continues shaping the future of our field.

2)    Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?

Everyone may foresee different opportunities for nanoscience, depending on their perspective. From my viewpoint, the next decade will likely bring major breakthroughs in precision-controlled synthesis, allowing atomic-scale engineering of 2D materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and quantum dots with unprecedented control over defects and interfaces. This will enable next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies, such as all-solid-state batteries and highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. We will also see significant advances in nanoscale characterization, particularly with in situ and operando techniques that provide real-time insights into dynamic nanoscale processes. High-resolution scanning probe microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy will push our understanding of quantum materials and interfacial chemistry to new levels. A key frontier will be nanoscience-driven quantum technologies. Materials such as moiré superlattices and twisted bilayers will further explore the ‘magic angle’ effect, leading to tunable superconductors and quantum transistors. Chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) is another emerging area that could revolutionize spintronics and molecular electronics. Another exciting direction is biomimetic nanoscience, where nature-inspired designs guide the development of advanced functional materials. For example, Bio-inspired nanorobotics, drawing from molecular motors and cellular processes, could enable autonomous nanoscale systems with applications in catalysis, sensing, and soft robotics. The next decade will be defined by deeper control at the atomic scale and the integration of nanoscale discoveries into real-world technologies.

See some of Yuan Fang ‘s work here: 

Improving diacetylene photopolymerization in monolayers and ultrathin films

Jie Ji, Yao Li, Sven Bernaerts, Kunal S Mali, Rui Ding, Hongzhen Lin, Louis A Cuccia, Steven De Feyter, Oleksandr Ivasenko, Lifeng Chi, Yuan Fang

Nanoscale, 2025,17, 11434-11440

Qianqian Shi, Community Board Member

University of Newcastle

Qianqian Shi received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Wenlong Cheng from the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University in April 2018. In January 2020, she was awarded the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellowship. In 2021, she received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research by a Research Fellow at Monash University. In 2024, she joined the Discipline of Chemistry in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Newcastle as a Lecturer. Her research focuses on the design and fabrication of functional plasmonic nanomaterials for many fields including biology, photocatalysis, artificial leaves, and the development of ultrathin wearable devices. She has published more than 40 peer-reviewed research papers in leading materials science, physics, and chemistry journals, including Nature Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nature Communications, ACS Nano, Materials Horizons, Advanced Materials Technologies, Nano Energy, Advanced Materials Interfaces, ACS Photonics, and The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, among others. She has also contributed to two book chapters. Her work has received more than 2,800 citations, with an H-index of 27 (Google Scholar).

My research interests lie in the design, fabrication, and application of ultrathin, flexible 2D plasmonic nanomaterials, spanning the entire process from plasmonic nanocrystal synthesis to their self-assembly and applications in sensing, energy generation and conversion. To date, I have developed several methodologies for assembling “artificial plasmonic nanocrystals,” including gold nanospheres, gold nanocubes, Au@Ag nanocubes, gold nanobipyramids, and gold-silver nanoframes, to create customizable ultrathin 2D plasmonic nanostructures. Moreover, I have engineered various systems to enhance the functionality of plasmonic nanomaterials by introducing softness and flexibility. Notable advancements include 2D Janus superlattices that integrate properties of two distinct structures, allowing them to stand independently and significantly enhance Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy performance. I have also developed flexible Matryoshka nanoparticle films for information encryption and decryption, artificial leaves for solar-to-chemical energy conversion, soft cell-like ultrathin reactors for inward nanocrystal crystallization, and soft helical plasmene with both elasticity and chiral optical responses. Currently, my research focuses on designing functional plasmonic nanomaterials for applications in biology, photocatalysis, artificial photosynthesis, and the development of ultrathin wearable devices.

Nanoscience is at a pivotal stage, and I believe the next 10 years will bring transformative breakthroughs. We’re going to see rapid advancements in smart nanostructures—materials that can be precisely engineered to meet specific needs across various fields. From medicine and energy to electronics and environmental sustainability, nanoscience will push the boundaries of what’s possible.

One of the biggest developments will be in fabrication and synthesis techniques. Right now, producing functional nanomaterials can be complex and resource-intensive. In the coming decade, we expect more streamlined, scalable, and cost-effective methods that allow for precise, on-demand material design. Additionally, AI and robotics are likely to play a significant role in advancing these processes. This will be a game-changer, making nanotechnology more accessible for real-world applications.

I also see nanoscience playing a crucial role in solving global challenges. We’re looking at innovations in targeted drug delivery, safe, flexible, cost-effective, durable, and high-capacity batteries, advanced computing, and even climate change solutions like carbon capture. The ability to manipulate matter at the nanoscale will open doors to entirely new possibilities, reshaping industries and improving lives.

Overall, nanoscience isn’t just about working at a small scale—it’s about making a big impact. By 2035, I expect it to be deeply integrated into everyday technology, driving sustainable solutions and transforming the way we interact with the world.

2) In your opinion, how could members of the community be more involved with the journal?

In my opinion, community members could be more involved with the journal through several key initiatives:

1. Increased Engagement on Social Media – Creating a Nanoscale Horizons community group on social media and inviting all members to join would facilitate discussions, keep members updated on the latest journal news, publications, announcements, and special issues, and encourage active participation.
2. Workshops and Webinars – Participating in organizing workshops, webinars, and symposia would provide members with opportunities to engage directly with the journal and connect with fellow researchers.
3. Contributions to Special Issues – Encouraging members to contribute to special issues on emerging topics would help expand the journal’s reach, attract new audiences, and promote cutting-edge research in the field.
4. Outreach Activities – Hosting outreach initiatives across various regions would allow members to engage with students and researchers locally and internationally, fostering a more inclusive and diverse community within the journal.

See some of Qianqian Shi ’s work here: 

Wet Chemically Produced Nanomaterials for Soft Wearable Biosensors

Ren Wang, Guangzhao Mao, Dewei Chu, Noushin Nasiri, Yuling Wang, Marcela Bilek, Ken-Tye Yong, Wallace Wing Ho Wong, Stan Skafidas, Jefferson Zhe Liu, Yuri S Kivshar, Madhu Bhaskaran, Yuerui Lu, Benjamin Eggleton, Lining Arnold Ju, Qianqian Shi, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Chwee Teck Lim, Wenlong Cheng

Nanoscale Horiz., 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Jiangjiexing Wu, Community Board Member

Tianjin University

Jiangjiexing Wu, an Associate Professor at Tianjin University, primarily focuses on the rational design and application of functional nanomaterials (nanozymes). As the first author or corresponding author, she has published over 30 SCI papers in journals such as JACS, Angew Chem, Adv Mater, and Nat Commun. She has been selected as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists and has received prestigious honors, including “RSC Emerging Investigators”, “Gordon F. Kirkbright Bursary Award”, “ChemBioTalents”, “IAAM Scientist Medal” and “Future Chemical Engineering Scholars”.

In the next decade, I believe the nanoscience field will undergo a multidimensional evolution, advancing in several exciting directions such as nanomaterials, nanomedicine, and energy. For instance, the discovery of new materials will be exponentially accelerated with the help of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. To complement this, a special issue focus on negative results could be established to reduce redundant trial-and-error costs and enhance research transparency. Moreover, by leveraging synchrotron radiation and cryo-electron microscopy to build a globally shared libraries of nanoscale dynamic process atlas, nanoscience will shift from being speculative and invisible to becoming tangible and visible. Furthermore, nanoscience will transition from being lab-based to society-embedded, with increasing publication of industry-academia collaborative research for practical applications.

2)In your opinion, how could members of the community be more involved with the journal?

As a member of the community, I believe there are several ways we can become more actively involved with the journal. First, from my own experience, contributing to the emerging investigator special issue is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to get evolved. Second, inviting members of the community to serve as peer reviewers or guest editors for special issues would not only increase engagement but also help ensure the quality and diversity of the content published. Lastly, journals could host special events tailored to different community members, offering them a range of ways to engage. For example, academic + community writing workshops could be organized to create accessible summaries of key findings. On a personal note, I teach a graduate-level class, and I could collaborate with the journal to offer lectures through the class, which would not only raise the journal’s visibility but also create meaningful opportunities for me to engage directly with the journal.

See some of Jiangjiexing Wu’ work here: 

Cerium oxide nanozyme attenuates periodontal bone destruction by inhibiting the ROS–NFκB pathway

Yijun Yu, Sheng Zhao, Deao Gu, Bijun Zhu, Hanxiao Liu, Wenlei Wu, Jiangjiexing Wu, Hui Wei, Leiying Miao

Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 2628-2637

Professor Xiaodong Chen, Advisory Board Member

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Professor Xiaodong Chen is a Distinguished University Professor at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, where he holds a professorship in Materials Science and Engineering with courtesy appointments in Chemistry and Medicine. His research interests span mechanomaterials science and engineering, flexible electronics technology, sense digitalization, cyber-human interfaces and systems, and carbon-negative technology.

Professor Chen has been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), earning one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to researchers in the field. Other esteemed awards recognising Prof. Chen’s outstanding scientific contributions include the Singapore President’s Science Award, the Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Investigatorship and NRF Fellowship, Winner of Falling Walls, the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and Dan Maydan Prize in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. He is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Singapore National Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering Singapore and a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chinese Chemical Society. Prof. Chen also serves on the editorial advisory boards of numerous esteemed international journals, including Advanced Materials, Small, and Nanoscale Horizons. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of ACS Nano, a flagship journal in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being on the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board is the opportunity to contribute to the direction of a journal that plays a key role in shaping the future of nanoscience. Additionally, helping to refine the journal’s scope and maintain its high editorial standards is a privilege and a responsibility that I deeply resonate.

3)    Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?

In the next decade, nanoscience is poised to drive advancements in medicine, electronics, energy, and sustainability. Progress in nanoscale materials could enable faster computing, more targeted drug delivery, and improved energy storage. Quantum nanotechnology and sustainable nanomaterials are expected to play key roles in addressing global challenges, ensuring nanoscience remains at the forefront of innovation.

See some of Xiaodong Chen’s work here: 

Porous evaporators with special wettability for low-grade heat-driven water desalination

Zhigao Zhu, Ying Xu Yifei Luo, Wei Wang  and Xiaodong Chen 

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 702-726

Serena Cussen, Advisory Board member

University College Dublin

Serena Cussen is an Advisory Board member for Nanoscale Horizons, Nanoscale and Nanoscale Advances, Scientific Editor for Journal of Materials Chemistry A and is Full Professor of Materials Chemistry at University College Dublin. She obtained her BA and PhD degrees in Chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, before carrying out postdoctoral research at University of California Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on the strategic synthesis of functional materials and deepening our understanding of how this impacts properties, particularly for energy storage applications. She is the recipient of the RSC Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship (2017) and the RSC Interdisciplinary Prize (2023).

One of the best things about being part of the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board family is the chance to support early career researchers working in our field, for example through the excellent Emerging Investigator special issues, and encouraging our community to submit their work to a home for impactful nanoscale science.

2) Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?

Advancing our understanding of materials on the nanoscale has the promise to impact across multiple research areas, from understanding biological processes and determining new healthcare treatments to advances in nanocatalysis and energy storage. This is an exciting prospect, as the crossdiscipinarity of the nanoscience field makes it ideally placed to accelerate efforts towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

See some of Serenas’s work here: 

The effect of aliovalent dopants on the structural and transport properties of Li₆La₂BaTa₂O₁₂ garnet Li-ion solid electrolytes

Marco Amores,  Peter J. Baker,  Edmund J. Cussen and Serena A. Cussen 

Mater. Adv., 2024,5, 8826-8835

Zhenhua Wu, Community Board Member

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Dr. Zhenhua Wu is an assistant research scientist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He early received his Ph.D. degree in 2020 and completed his postdoctoral research in 2023 there. His research interests focus on nanostructured materials and devices including thermoelectric, memristor and nano/micro-fabrication.

As a member of the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory Board, I have a unique opportunity to both observe and contribute to the communication of cutting-edge research in nanoscience. The collaboration with respected colleagues to highlight emerging areas within the field is especially gratifying.

2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

Nanoscale Horizons distinguishes itself by prioritizing original research that showcases novel concepts or approaches – conceptual advancements – rather than focusing solely on technical progress. Transformative original research is the bedrock of technical innovation, and Nanoscale Horizons serves as a crucial platform for sharing and disseminating such impactful, innovative nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Xiaolu Zhuo , Community Board Member

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Xiaolu Zhuo is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China. She received her B.S. degree in physics from Sun Yat-sen University in 2010 and her Ph.D. degree from the Department of Physics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2017. In 2019–2022, she conducted her postdoctoral research at CIC biomaGUNE (Spain) as a Juan de la Cierva fellow. Her research interests include the synthesis of metallic/dielectric nanoparticles and their optical properties and applications

I have been a member of Nanoscale Horizons Community Board for a few years. What I appreciate most is the chance to engage with a dynamic community of researchers and innovators in the field of nanoscience. As an early career researcher, this opportunity allows me to contribute meaningfully by writing editorial pieces and collaborating with international colleagues to curate the Horizons Community Board collection. And I find the peer review process particularly rewarding, as it not only keeps me updated on the latest research but also sharpens my own understanding of the field. Overall, the collaborative atmosphere fosters open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, which I believe is essential for advancing nanoscience. I truly value the connections I have made along the way.

2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?

Since the establishment of Nanoscale Horizons—when I was still a PhD student—I’ve been following this journal closely. It’s been a rewarding experience to participate on the Community Board as an early career PI, witnessing its evolution into a well-recognized and impactful journal within the field. Among so many journals in nanoscience, Nanoscale Horizons has truly distinguished itself over the past ten years, and that’s no easy achievement. What I appreciate most are several key aspects that make it a great place for publishing impactful work. The journal’s rapid publication process ensures that findings reach the community quickly. Its wide readership allows innovative research to connect with a diverse audience. Additionally, the focus on interdisciplinary work aligns well with current trends in nanoscience, fostering collaborative advancements. Overall, I believe Nanoscale Horizons is an excellent platform for researchers looking to make a meaningful impact.

See some of Xiaolu Zhuo’s work here: 

Polydopamine-based plasmonic nanocomposites: rational designs and applications

Shengyan Wang,  Yiou Cui,    Tarun Dalani,   King Yin Sit, Xiaolu Zhuo  and  Chun Kit Choi

Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2982-2993

Dennis Christensen, Community Board Member

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Dennis Christensen is a senior researcher at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Dennis received his PhD from DTU in 2017 and was offered a tenure track position at the same university thereafter. He has worked internationally in several locations including University of Basel, Paul Scherrer Institute and Bar-Ilan University. Dennis has received numerous innovation and scientific prizes, incl. 13 young investigator awards and 5 graduate student awards. His research focuses on developing and using magnetic sensors for visualizing internal processes in oxide energy materials.

Perspectives on oxide heterostructures – the curious case of γ-Al₂O₃/SrTiO₃

Dennis Valbjørn Christensen

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 3704-3712