President Rumen Radev has awarded three scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences – Academician Krassimir Atanassov, Acad. Ilsa Pajeva and Corr. Memb. Georgi Mihov. The ceremony, which took place in the Coat of Arms Hall of the Presidential Institution today, was also attended by the President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva.
“Bulgaria can develop as a modern and prosperous country only if we treat people of science and progress with respect and appreciation,” the Head of State said.
For outstanding merits in the field of artificial intelligence, informatics and mathematics, the mathematician Acad. Krassimir Atanassov has been awarded the “Stara Planina” Order first degree. He is among the most successful scientists of Bulgaria in the field of informatics and mathematics. He works at the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering of BAS. In his many years of work, Academcian Atanassov has defined three new concepts for science through more than 1000 publications and 34 monographs and has laid the foundations of their theories whose importance is universally recognized by the world scientific community. They are widely used in the fields of artificial intelligence, computer technology, medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, communications, etc. Acad. Atanassov has received a number of prestigious awards. In the latest editions of Stanford University’s ranking for overall scientific development, he ranks first among scientists from Bulgaria and among the top 2% of scientists in the world.
The distinguished biologist Acad. Ilsa Pajeva has been awarded the Order of “St. Cyril and Methodius” first degree for her great merits in the field of science. Her scientific interests are related to the study of various biologically active compounds, drug molecules, proteins, enzymes, etc. She is a pioneer in Bulgaria in the introduction, development and application of computer-aided drug design methods. Academician Pajeva is the author of over 170 scientific papers, including publications in reputable journals and monographs. She has led and participated in over 30 national and international research projects. In 2020, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her contribution to the development of Bulgarian-German scientific relations. She is the first Bulgarian scientist elected an ambassador of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She has been President of the Humboldt Union in Bulgaria and is currently its Honorary President.
For his significant contribution to the development of education and science, Corr. Mem. Prof. Georgi Mihov has been awarded the Order of “St. Cyril and Methodius” second degree. He is among the outstanding Bulgarian scientists in the field of technical sciences. Since 2007, he has been a professor at the Technical University of Sofia, and since 2018 he has been a corresponding member of BAS. In the period 2014 – 2019, he was the Rector of the Technical University – Sofia. The main areas of scientific contribution and teaching activity of Prof. Mihov are medical electronics, digital technology, industrial electronics, industrial control systems. He has participated in more than 50 developments and led 16 projects of significant importance for the development of Bulgarian science. He is the author of 190 scientific publications. He has a protected patent implemented in the ECG devices of the Medical Academy. His scientific and educational activities have been recognized with a number of international awards.
In his address, the President stressed that the ceremony was an expression of public appreciation for the dedicated work of the honorees in raising Bulgarian science and education, culture and spirituality to an even higher level. The Head of State pointed out that whether it was about scientific research revealing to the world new approaches in informatics and artificial intelligence, in electronics and technical progress, in medicine and pharmacy, or about the cultural and spiritual growth of the nation and the inclusion of our communities and fellow citizens outside the territory of Bulgaria, they had united will, energy and talent in the great goal of our country developing as a modern European country with rich culture and traditions, with high intellectual and spiritual potential.
In Rumen Radev’s words, their achievements have turned the awardees into examples in their fields, pioneers of the spirit, patriotic causes, scientific breakthroughs and creative ideas. He added that with their work they were part of the spiritual and intellectual power of Bulgaria which had built and established its authority far beyond the borders of the country.
On behalf of the awardees, Acad. Krassimir Atanassov expressed his gratitude for the honour. “We will continue to work as actively as ever in our fields,” he stressed.
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