site.btaChemistry Innovator Wins Pythagoras Grand Prize for Contribution to Science

Prof. Radostina Stoyanova from the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) received the Pythagoras Grand Prize for overall contribution to the development of science on Tuesday. Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev opened the award ceremony, which was held for the 17th year in a row. Fifty-two scientists were nominated in eight categories.

Valchev presented the award to Prof. Stoyanova, who laid the foundation for the development of a new scientific field in Bulgaria - materials chemistry for clean and affordable energy storage. Her publications have been cited over 5,000 times, and she has an h-index of 42. The winner received a certificate and a cash prize of BGN 12,000.

The Science Communication Award went to Prof. Christo Pimpirev from the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, who is the founder, driving force and ambassador of Bulgarian Antarctic research. Through active media engagement, meetings with young people, and the involvement of artists and journalists in the expeditions, he has made Antarctic science accessible and inspiring to the general public. As a result of his work, Antarctic research in Bulgaria has become established as a field that unites science, education and cultural identity.

The Established Scientist in Natural and Engineering Sciences Award went to Prof. Hristiyan Aleksandrov, lecturer at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy of Sofia University. His main research focuses on the molecular structure of catalysts and the reaction mechanisms on their surfaces.

The Established Scientist in Medicine and Life Sciences Award went to Prof. Krasimira Yoncheva, based at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Sofia. She develops nanoparticles that simultaneously contain an anticancer drug and an antioxidant. Prof. Yoncheva's research guides the scientific community towards effective and safe cancer treatment.

The Established Scientist in Social Sciences and Humanities went to Prof. Stanislav Ivanov of the Varna University of Management, who studies the economic and social dimensions of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics across various industries, with a particular focus on tourism.

Three young scientists received Pythagoras Awards in the three scientific fields mentioned above: Assoc. Prof. Martin Ralchev from the Institute of Robotics at BAS, who is involved in the development of new types of ultrasensitive sensors and measurement methods; Chief Assist. Prof.  Emilio Mateev from the Medical University of Sofia, who takes part in the creation of new drug molecules; and Chief Assist. Prof. Megi Dakova from the Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, whose research centres on the knowledge triangle - higher education, science and business. 

Taking part in the award ceremony were Deputy Education and Science Minister Nikolay Vitanov, the Chief of the Education Minister's Cabinet, Tanya Mihaylova, parliamentary Education and Science Committee Chair Prof. Andrey Chorbanov, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association Executive Director Dobrin Ivanov, Deputy Innovation and Growth Minister Martin Danovsky, Podkrepa Confederation of Labour President Dimitar Manolov, and the chair of the scientific jury, Prof. Zhelyu Vladimirov.

The ceremony was also attended by rectors, MPs and representatives of employers' and trade union organizations.