The Eureka Awards were presented for the thirty-fifth time. They are awarded to young people for their significant achievements in science, for inventions of great social significance, for achievements in the management of business organisations, and for top results in the development of agricultural activities. The event was held on 30 January at the National Palace of Culture.
The winner of the 2024 Eureka Prize for achievements in science is Dr. Maria Argirova – Senior Assistant Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry of BAS. She was awarded the prize for the defense of her dissertation on “Synthesis of 1H-benzimidazol-2-yl hydrazones and investigation of their anthelmintic, antineoplastic and radical-scavenging activity”.
The main contribution of her thesis is the synthesis of a new class of benzimidazole derivatives that exhibit combined antioxidant, antineoplastic and anthelmintic activity. The results of this dissertation have been published in two Q1 papers, one with an impact factor of 5.194 and one with an impact factor of 3.361. Five citations from foreign authors in reputable journals have been noted which is evidence of the relevance of the topic. The dissertation materials have been presented at 22 conferences at home and abroad.
The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Shtelian Shterionov participated in the award ceremony of the winners of the 2024 awards for excellence in science, best young manager, inventor and farmer. He presented the awards in two categories – for excellence in science and for young inventor. “The Eureka Foundation awards are a mark of appreciated merit, recognition of outstanding work and perseverance displayed by young people. BAS as a knowledge institution welcomes the successful implementation of creative ideas, appreciates the diligence and passion to create, to seek new opportunities in different fields of human knowledge in order to prosper our society.” With these words, Prof. Shterionov congratulated the organizers and the awardees on behalf of the President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva.
The Young Inventor Award was presented to Emil Mitev – Chief Engineer-Constructor at Vitto Ltd., Novi Pazar. Vesela Nikolova – Managing Director of “Amdaris Bulgaria” and Regional Centers Director for Eastern Europe of the company, was awarded in the Young Manager category. The winner of the Young Farmer Award for 2024 is Yaman Hyusmen – a farmer from Isperih.
