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Dobrinka Georgieva is a Full Professor of Social Medicine (Speech-Language Pathology - SLP) at the Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Her career spans teaching, research, and clinical expertise in fluency and voice disorders, evidence-based practice in SLP, and the history and comparative analysis of speech-language pathology. Her work includes coordinating major projects such as the World Bank project, National Science Fund initiatives, Erasmus+ programs, and a Fulbright Fellowship (2013) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She founded the first department of Logopedics at South-West University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, and spearheaded the recognition of Bulgarian SLP (Logopedics) within public health frameworks. Georgieva has specialized in the USA, France, England, the Netherlands, and Russia. She is a certified European Clinical Specialist on fluency disorders and a Fulbright alumna. Her research divisions include Medical Speech Language Pathology, Translational Neuroscience, and Innovative Diagnostic Methods. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Fellowship Certified European Clinical Specialist on Fluency Disorders She has served as the main editor of the Bulgarian Journal of Communication Disorders (2008–2014) and held leadership roles in the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) Education Committee and the International Fluency Association (IFA) Professional Liaisons and Practice Committees. Georgieva has also guest lectured internationally under the Erasmus program at Michigan State University and East Carolina University.

• Fluency Disorders
• Voice Disorders
• Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
• +3 more

Associate Professor Margarita Stankova is a faculty member in the Department of Healthcare and Social Work at New Bulgarian University's Faculty of Public Health. She holds dual expertise as a medical doctor (Sofia Medical University, 1997) and specialist in Communication Disorders (NBU, 2000), with additional qualifications in Psychiatry (2007). Her academic profile spans teaching 15+ specialized courses including Autism Spectrum Disorders , Fluency Disorders , and Clinical Psychology of Developmental Disorders . Education: Medicine, Sofia Medical University (1991-1997) Master's in Communication Disorders, New Bulgarian University (1997-2000) MD in Medicine (2006) Psychiatry Specialization (2007) Her research focuses on evidence-based interventions for communication disorders, particularly autism spectrum conditions and childhood behavioral/emotional disorders. Current work emphasizes digital therapeutic approaches including serious games and telepractice, with recent studies examining screen time impacts on ASD communication development and parent-mediated interventions. Her methodology integrates temperament profiling with neurocognitive assessment to develop individualized therapy protocols. Over the past decade, her publication trends reveal increasing specialization in ASD interventions (65% of recent work), digital health applications (25%), and cross-cultural assessment tools (10%). Key contributions include validating the Bulgarian FOCUS assessment and developing parent-administered digital screening tools. Research Leadership: Led 12+ EU-funded projects including "Early Intervention Program for Language Abilities" (Research Council of Norway) Principal investigator for "Integration of Children with Communication Disorders" (ESF) Coordinator of "Special Abilities and Talents" Erasmus intensive program Her clinical projects have established communication rehabilitation frameworks implemented across Bulgaria's day centers and specialized schools. Current work focuses on adapting evidence-based practices for post-pandemic therapeutic environments, with emphasis on parental support systems and digital integration. Laboratory & Field Work: Directs NBU's Communication Disorders Research Group conducting longitudinal studies on temperament profiles in developmental disorders. Field partnerships include specialized schools in Sofia, Stara Zagora, and Sandanski where therapeutic protocols are implemented and evaluated.

• Speech Therapy
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Childhood Behavioral Disorders
• +5 more