Vassya Bankova

Vassya Bankova is a Full Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry (IOCCP) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences since 2003 and a part-time lecturer at Sofia University. She previously served as Head of the Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products (2009-2016) and held academic ranks from Assistant to Associate Professor at IOCCP-BAS since 1984, with international research experience at Germany's Ruhr University.

Her academic credentials include:

• MSc in Organic Synthesis (1977)
• PhD in Natural Product Chemistry (1990)
• DSc in Chemistry (2001)

Bankova's research pioneers the chemistry and biological applications of propolis and bee products, focusing on structural elucidation, metabolic profiling, and standardization of natural compounds from endemic plants and mushrooms. Her work bridges phytochemical analysis with medicinal plant science, developing advanced analytical methods for bioactive components in complex natural extracts. She has established propolis as a critical subject in natural product chemistry through systematic studies of its plant origins and health-promoting mechanisms.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Elsevier Award for excellence in global research (2018)
• Corresponding Membership in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2014)
• Honorary positions in Greek and Japanese apitherapy organizations

Bankova coordinated Bulgaria's participation in the FP-7 project 'Bees in Europe and the decile of bee colonies' (2010-2013), securing international research funding. With over 220 publications cited 8,000+ times (h-index 46), she serves on editorial boards of chemistry journals and co-founded the Bulgarian Phytochemical Society. Her laboratory team produced foundational propolis research, publishing 100+ papers and four book chapters.

She led the Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products for seven years, directing research on natural compound isolation and developing standardized analytical protocols adopted by international apitherapy communities.