Kalin Georgiev Nikolov is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, University of Sofia, specializing in computational methods, neural networks, and generalized nets. His work bridges mathematics and computer science through innovative modeling techniques. Fields of Interest: Computer Science, Neural Networks, Generalized Nets, Fuzzy Logic, Computational Mathematics Key Collaborations: Trifon Trifonov, Georgi Mengov, S. Hadjitodorov Recent Research: 2005 publications on neutrosophic sets, adaptive resonance networks, and geometric computing applications
Julia Romanova is an Associate Professor at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from both Sofia University (Bulgaria) and Université de Haute-Alsace (France), and has built an impressive academic career with research positions at prestigious institutions including University of Surrey (UK), University of Namur (Belgium), and Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden (Germany). Education: 2010 – Ph.D. in Chemistry, Sofia University (Bulgaria) & Université de Haute-Alsace (France) 2006 – Master in Computational Chemistry, Sofia University (Bulgaria) 2005 – Bachelor in Chemistry, Sofia University (Bulgaria) Dr. Romanova's research focuses on applied computational chemistry with special emphasis on organic and metal-organic compounds exhibiting attractive optical, magnetic and conducting properties. Her work spans theoretical chemistry, quantum mechanics, and density functional theory applications. She has made significant contributions to the field of singlet fission chromophores, molecular design of luminescent complexes, and computational approaches to materials science. Her research combines advanced computational methods with experimental validation to design novel materials for photovoltaic applications and biomedical uses. Analysis of Dr. Romanova's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in computational chemistry with increasing focus on machine learning applications in materials discovery. Her recent work demonstrates expertise in singlet fission chromophores, luminescent lanthanide complexes, and the relationship between molecular structure and photophysical properties. The interdisciplinary nature of her research bridges chemistry, physics, and computational science, with applications ranging from renewable energy to biomedical diagnostics. Scientific Awards: Evrika Award for achievements in sciences, Evrika Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria (2011) Award for the best project realized in the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Sofia (2009) French Government Scholarship for joint supervision of a thesis between University of Sofia and Université de Haute-Alsace (2007-2010) Dr. Romanova serves as Principal Investigator for multiple research projects including an Advanced Research Project on machine learning for structure-properties relationship evaluation (2019-2023, Bulgarian Science Fund) and PhD supporting projects at Sofia University. She co-supervises PhD student Joanna Stoycheva and teaches courses in General and Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry of the Elements, and Molecular Modeling of Excited States across multiple departments at Sofia University. Her academic mobility includes research stays at University of Surrey, University of Namur, and Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, reflecting her strong international collaborations. Dr. Romanova's research activities are centered at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at Sofia University, where she leads projects focused on computational design of novel materials. Her work involves close collaboration with researchers from multiple institutions across Europe and utilizes advanced computational methods to investigate molecular properties and design new materials with targeted characteristics.
Boris Bankov is a software developer and academic professional currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Informatics in the University of Economics - Varna. His work combines web development expertise with educational innovation. PhD in Informatics and Computer Science Deputy Director at Center for Electronic and Distance Learning Laureate of John Atanasoff Award (2022) His research interests focus on web development, gamification in education, and the intersection between game design principles and enterprise web applications. He has extensive experience working with technologies including PHP Laravel, MySQL, Bootstrap, and Unity/C# game development. Key publication areas include: Learning Management Systems in higher education, Gamification frameworks for educational environments, Responsive web design solutions, and NFT technology analysis. His work has been published in various academic forums since 2017. John Atanasoff Award of the President of Bulgaria (2022)
Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Chudomirov Netov serves as Head of the Department of Statistics and Econometrics at Sofia University's Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, with over fifteen years of experience in international scientific, applied, and educational projects across global collaborations. His research spans critical interdisciplinary domains: Financial Risk Modeling (Value at Risk, Black-Scholes algorithms, stock market forecasting) Transportation Analytics (telecom data-driven public transport optimization, passenger flow modeling) Public Policy & Digitalization (e-government services, citizen sentiment analysis using transformer models) Public Health (vaccination patterns, screen time evaluation, autoimmune disease modeling) Recent publications reveal accelerating convergence of advanced computational techniques with societal challenges, particularly through: Transformer-based NLP for granular public sentiment/emotion analysis in government domains Anonymized telecommunications data applications for sustainable urban mobility solutions Hybrid mathematical-statistical frameworks for financial and biological systems Scientific recognition includes: Annual award for "Career in IT" project (2014) Responsible Business Award in "Investor in Knowledge" category (2015) Netov actively bridges academia-business divides through project leadership, notably as Board Director of FEBA's Alumni Association (Bulgaria's largest with 7,000+ members). His "Career in IT" initiative exemplifies successful NGO-business-academia partnerships, while current research focuses on data-driven public service optimization and financial risk modeling. Departmental leadership combines with international project coordination to advance Sofia University's research profile in computational social sciences.
Assoc. Prof. Ivan Trenchev, DSc holds dual roles as an Associate Professor at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) (since 2019) in the Department of Information Systems , and at the South-West University "Neofit Rilski" (SWU) (since 2000) in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation . He earned his PhD in 2006 from SWU on mathematical models of the genetic code and a Doctor of Science (DSc) in 2020 on computer graphics for research visualization. Education & Qualifications: Graduated in Mathematics from SWU (1992–1997). Defended two major theses: "Mathematical models for the study of the optimality of the modern genetic code" (PhD, 2006) and "Computer graphics - a tool for visualization of research in the university information environment" (DSc, 2020). Professional Contributions: Co-founder and long-term head of SWU’s Master’s program in Bioinformatics.曾 served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the SWU journal (2011–2014) and Deputy Head of the Center for Contemporary Bioinformatics Research (2013–2018). Active in national/international projects, including leading the "Bioinformatics Research: Protein Folding, Jumping and Prediction of Biological Activity" project funded by the Ministry of Education. Teaching & Mentorship: Teaches courses like Mathematical Foundations of Cybersecurity, Computer Game Development, and Java Programming at both institutions. Coached SWU’s student programming team (2008–2018) and chaired the XXVII Republican Student Programming Olympiad (2015). Research Focus: Bioinformatics, computer graphics for scientific visualization, cybersecurity, and educational technology innovations. Recent work emphasizes mixed reality applications in autism therapy, molecular visualization for drug discovery, and cybersecurity modeling. Affiliations: Member of the Union of Mathematicians in Bulgaria, Union of Scientists, and Bioinformatics World. Involved in Bulgarian and international academic organizations.
Valentina Vasileva Rankovska is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electronics, Technical University - Gabrovo. She holds a Doctorate in Technical Sciences and specializes in microprocessor systems, embedded electronics, and FPGA-based design. Her work focuses on innovative educational tools using open-source hardware (e.g., Arduino platforms) and advanced control systems in energy and automation. Research interests include wireless energy transmission, digital signal processing, and IoT integration. She has led or participated in over 16 research projects, including electric vehicle conversion and smart home systems. Key contributions include developing FPGA-based systems for industrial applications and educational modules for embedded systems teaching. Publications span 39 works, including 3 textbooks on microprocessor technology and numerous conference papers in international venues like ICEST and ET Conferences. Notable projects include contactless power transmission systems and microcontroller laboratory tools. Her academic contributions emphasize bridging theory and practice through hands-on educational approaches, with a focus on cost-effective, open-source solutions for engineering education.
Dr. Alexey Potebnya serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"'s Faculty of Economics. He currently holds the position of scientific secretary for his department and administers the Digital Marketing Master's Program, which transitioned to become the Faculty of Economics' first fully distance learning program in the 2024/2025 academic year. Additionally, he leads the innovative "Gamification in Business, Public and Non-Governmental Sectors" master's program, exploring game mechanics applications across management domains. Dr. Potebnya earned his Bachelor's degree in Geography (2005) followed by a Master's in Business Administration with marketing specialization. His academic journey at Sofia University began in 2015 as a part-time assistant, progressed to full-time assistant in 2021, and culminated in his promotion to Assistant Professor in 2023. Fluent in Bulgarian, Russian, and English, he teaches across multiple faculties including Economics, Journalism, and Geology and Geography. His research bridges digital technologies with marketing practice, focusing on gamification techniques, AI applications, and consumer behavior in digital environments. Dr. Potebnya pioneers innovative educational approaches through gamified platforms and narrative-based learning, examining how folk tales and fiction can enhance marketing education. His work consistently integrates theoretical frameworks with practical implementation to address contemporary marketing challenges in the digital transformation era. Analysis of his publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on digital marketing innovation, with increasing emphasis on gamification's educational applications. His recent work demonstrates how game mechanics can transform learning experiences while developing practical frameworks for optimizing digital brand presence and building consumer trust in online environments. Dr. Potebnya supervises master's students across multiple marketing specializations, emphasizing the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Combining academic work with over 15 years of industry experience, he has consulted for major Bulgarian and international brands, bringing real-world insights to his teaching and research. He actively contributes to significant research initiatives including "Gamification in training for building an effective system of competencies in the context of Industry 5.0" and the SUMMIT program's "Gamification in Education and the Workplace" project funded through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Previously (2019-2023), he contributed to "TechnoMagicLand," Bulgaria's first all-Bulgarian STEM center applying gamification in informal science education.
Prof. Dr. Neviana Stefanova Krasteva serves as Professor of Marketing and International Business at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" within the Faculty of Economics, Department of Business Administration, and also holds a position at the International Business School in Botevgrad. She maintains active membership in the American Marketing Association and European Management Council, with extensive international experience gained through specializations in Russia, Austria, Greece, Denmark, Japan, Israel and Hungary. Her research expertise spans multiple marketing domains: Digital Marketing and Artificial Intelligence applications Consumer behavior and value co-creation frameworks Cross-cultural and international business marketing Tourism and destination marketing strategies Innovative approaches including gamification and augmented reality Prof. Krasteva's recent scholarly work demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional marketing frameworks toward technology-integrated approaches. Her publications reveal growing emphasis on how artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and philosophical foundations transform consumer behavior and marketing strategies. She has made significant contributions to understanding cross-cultural applications of marketing concepts, particularly examining how Swedish business principles like "Lagom" can be adapted to different markets including Bulgaria. Her academic contributions include numerous publications in the Yearbook of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University and international conference proceedings. She has developed educational content through her YouTube channel "The Diaries of Prof. Neviana Krasteva," featuring videos on digital marketing education, thesis writing guidance, career advice for business administration graduates, and interviews with colleagues and students. Among her notable scientific activities are supervision of PhD candidates including Aleksey Potebnia, development of gamified learning resources for children focused on marketing concepts in folk tales, and research on diverse topics from information overload to marketing of "ugly" agricultural products. Her work bridges theoretical exploration with practical applications addressing contemporary challenges in the digital marketing landscape.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boryana Tsvetanova Pelova is a leading internationally recognized academic at the Faculty of Economics, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," specializing in artificial intelligence and big data processing. She holds appointments in the Department of Statistics and Econometrics and has made significant contributions to academic administration and research. Academic Director of the innovative master's program "Artificial Intelligence for Business and Finance" Head of the Career Center of the Faculty of Economics (2016-December 2023) Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics (2019-2023) Coordinator of activities between the Faculty of Economics and the Vocational High School of Computer Programming and Innovation in Burgas (since 2023) Dr. Pelova's research expertise spans both classical and cutting-edge methods in machine learning, with applications to societal challenges including air quality, depression prevention, public sector digitalization, SME development, and financial stability. She has extensive experience leading and participating in significant research projects while developing innovative educational programs that bridge academia and industry needs. Her work has established her as a key figure in developing university-business synergies and modernizing economics education in Bulgaria. Dr. Pelova is an active member and mentor of the Data Science Society with numerous publications in referenced scientific journals. She has developed business-funded doctoral programs and has been instrumental in creating school-university-business partnerships that enhance educational outcomes and career opportunities for students. Notable current research projects include: Digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (2023-present); SHARE-ERIC Bulgaria (2018-present); and a project under the Fundamental Research 2023 program of the Bulgarian Scientific Research Fund (2023-present). She publishes under ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1393-1002 and SCOPUS ID: 55279824500, having previously published under the name Boryana Bogdanova until 2024.
Elena Dimitrova Monova is a faculty member at the Technical University - Gabrovo, where she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Automation, Information and Control Technology within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Electronics. Her academic career spans over two decades since completing her education at the same institution in 2002. Dr. Monova earned her higher education degree from the Technical University of Gabrovo in 2002, specializing in "Automation, Information and Control Engineering." Her academic journey led her to obtain a Doctorate (scientific and educational) in Technical Sciences. Her primary research interests focus on Chaos Theory and Control Theory , with significant expansion into related areas including cyber-physical systems security, data encryption using chaotic systems, and applications of artificial neural networks. Dr. Monova has established herself as a specialist in analyzing and controlling chaotic systems, with numerous publications exploring the Rucklidge model, Rikitake system, and other complex nonlinear dynamics. Analysis of Dr. Monova's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on chaotic systems and control theory, with recent expansion into practical applications involving artificial neural networks and cybersecurity. Her work demonstrates a progression from theoretical analysis of chaotic systems to practical implementations in areas such as secure communications, food quality assessment, and electromechanical systems. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects electrical engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics. Electronic voting systems at Technical University - Gabrovo (2022) Security of cyber-physical systems in Industry 4.0 (2020) Systems for protecting classified information (2019, 2016) Digitalization of economy in big data environments (2018) International Erasmus+ projects including DISCOVER and MechMate Development of a smart medicine dispenser with privacy protection (2017) Her teaching responsibilities include courses on "Software Systems for Modeling and Simulation" and "Simulation and Modeling in Matlab" at the bachelor's level, reflecting her expertise in computational methods and system modeling.
Georgi Ivanov Mihalev is an Assistant Professor at the Technical University - Gabrovo, working within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, specifically in the Department of Automation, Information and Control Technology. Holding a Doctorate in Technical Sciences (scientific and educational), he has established himself as a significant contributor to control systems engineering and related fields. His academic career spans over a decade with continuous publication output since 2012. Dr. Mihalev's research interests focus on advanced control methodologies, particularly in electro-hydraulic servo systems, artificial neural networks applications, and image processing techniques. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of applying theoretical control concepts to practical engineering problems across diverse domains including robotics, waste management systems, and image encryption. The breadth of his research shows particular strength in developing novel control algorithms that combine traditional approaches with machine learning techniques. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong emphasis on practical implementation of control systems, with numerous papers addressing electro-hydraulic servo systems (appearing in approximately 40% of his recent work), followed by applications of artificial intelligence techniques to engineering problems. His 2025 Journal of Imaging paper demonstrates his expanding research scope into secure image transmission, showing increasing interdisciplinary work that combines control theory with cryptography. Dr. Mihalev has been actively involved in multiple international conferences in Bulgaria including AUTOMATICS AND INFORMATICS, UNITECH, and UTEOS symposiums, establishing himself as a regular contributor to the Bulgarian engineering research community. His collaborative work patterns show consistent partnerships with researchers including S. Yordanov, H. Stoycheva, and K. Ormandzhiev across multiple publications and research projects. His laboratory work appears to focus on practical implementation of control systems, with documented research on electro-hydraulic servo systems, robotic manipulators, vibratory bowl feeders, and intelligent waste collection systems. This suggests hands-on experimental research capabilities alongside theoretical contributions.
Metodi Traykov is an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics, New Bulgarian University (NBU). He holds a PhD in Informatics and Computer Science, having completed his doctoral thesis on Mathematical Models and Algorithms for Predicting the Spatial Structure of Proteins at South-West University 'Neofit Rilski'. He has been a faculty member at NBU since 2019 and previously served as an Assistant at South-West University from 2013 to 2018. Education: Bachelor's and Master's in Informatics, South-West University 'Neofit Rilski' (2012–2013) PhD in Informatics, South-West University 'Neofit Rilski' (2017) Teaching: Leads courses in Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures, Java, and Algorithms at NBU Guest lectures at American University in Bulgaria on Website Development, C# Programming, and Python Research: Focuses on Bioinformatics, protein structure prediction, optimization algorithms, and genetic code properties Developed mathematical models for protein folding and virtual reality applications Collaborates with researchers like Ivan Trenchev, Rossen Mavrevski, and Nikolina Pencheva Recent Publications: Explores computational methods in protein structure analysis and optimization algorithms Interdisciplinary work in virtual reality, cultural heritage preservation, and biostatistics
Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Mishev, PhD is affiliated with New Bulgarian University in the Department of Informatics . He teaches courses including Physical Methods in Biology , Atmosphere and Climate , and Physics and Astrobiology . Education PhD in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (Sofia University, 2002) Bachelor's in Mathematics and Informatics (National Natural Science High School, 1997) Work Researcher at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia, 2004–2016) New Bulgarian University (since 2017) Research focuses on quantum mechanics (many-body problems in nuclear physics), machine learning , and computational physics . His publications address nuclear structure, phonon states, and beta decay phenomena. Scientific work trends include theoretical modeling of nuclear systems, application of computational methods, and interdisciplinary connections between physics and informatics. Office hours: Mondays 9:30–11:30, Wednesdays 16:00–18:00 (Room 315, Building I).
Dr. Tereza Stefanova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Telecommunications at the Faculty for Basic Education of New Bulgarian University (NBU). She has been a tenured faculty member at NBU since 2003, teaching courses in telecommunications and computer technology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Previously, she served as a part-time/honored faculty member from 1998-2003. Her educational background includes: Doctorate in Professional Field 5.3 "Communication and Computer Technology" (2013) Doctorate at NBU in "Theoretical foundations of communication technology" (2008) Engineer in Electronics and Automation from Technical University, Sofia (1988-1993) Professional Pedagogy from Technical University, Sofia (1994-1995) English Language specialization (1994) Dr. Stefanova's research focuses on Electronics in Telecommunications , Modern Radio Transmitters , and Educational Technologies . Her work spans both theoretical aspects of telecommunications engineering and practical applications in educational settings. She has extensively studied the implementation of modern teaching methods in engineering education, including blended learning, distance learning, and the integration of multimedia technologies in the classroom. Her recent research has increasingly focused on emerging technologies such as 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), and the application of artificial intelligence in telecommunications. She has published numerous articles analyzing employment trends for ICT specialists and the alignment between educational programs and industry needs. Dr. Stefanova has been actively involved in educational projects, including: Project "Improving interdisciplinary skills and business interaction of telecommunications specialists" (2013-2015) Project H2020-MSCA-NIGHT-2018-818757 K-TRIO 3, "European Night of Scientists" (2018) Development of multimedia teaching formats at NBU Projects for improving educational infrastructure for telecommunications courses She has held several administrative roles at NBU, including Program Consultant for the "Telecommunications and Computer Technologies" Bachelor's program (2016-2018) and member of the Accreditation Committee since 2012. Dr. Stefanova is also a member of the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA).
Ivashko Viktor Viktorovych serves as an Assistant Professor at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, where he teaches Probability Theory, Operating Systems, and Numerical Methods courses. Holding a Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences degree, he actively contributes to computational physics research with a focus on nanoscale systems and stochastic modeling. His academic foundation includes: 2014: Master of Telecommunications from Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University with honors (Diploma PH No. 47227317) 2018: Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (specialty 01.04.07 – Solid State Physics) for dissertation 'Features of Transition Phenomena between Low- and High-Spin States of Spin-Crossover Compounds' (DK No. 046497) Dr. Ivashko's research centers on computational modeling of physical systems using Monte Carlo methods, particularly investigating spin-crossover compounds and nanomaterials. His work bridges solid-state physics and statistical mechanics, with significant applications in molecular electronics and nanodevice development. Recent publications reveal consistent focus on impurity effects in nanoparticles, magnetic properties of carbon-based systems, and pressure-induced electronic bistability in coordination polymers, demonstrating methodological expertise in simulating nanoscale phase transitions. His scientific recognition includes: Gratitude for significant scientific achievements (2016-2017) Through scientific consulting for MPP 'PROM.SOFT' and authorship of 12+ textbooks/monographs, he actively shapes academic curricula. Professional development includes Sigma Software's Teachers’ Smart Up programs (2023-2024), Softserve's Tech Summer Bootcamp, and Coursera specializations in Python and web development. He maintains active engagement with professional communities as a member of the Ukrainian Society of Non-Destructive Testing and Technical Diagnostics, the European Optical Society, and the Bukovina Cluster of Innovative Technologies (Chernivtsi IT Cluster) since 2021, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in regional tech innovation.
