Department “Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning”

Faculties Faculty of Public Health Departments Department “Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning”

Academic Staff, Department Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning
Academic Staff, Department Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning

Medical University of Plovdiv
Faculty of Public Health
Department “Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning”
Academic Building 2
Vassil Aprilov 15-a blvd.
4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

e-mail : [email protected]

The Department of “Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and Electronic Learning” was established in April 2012 as an independent administrative structure within the Faculty of Public Health, in accordance with the normative documents approved at the Medical University – Plovdiv and the Republic of Bulgaria. The Department meets the requirements and the structure of the higher school.

For 12 years the Department of “Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and Electronic Learning” has been recognized as a leading department not only at the Faculty of Public Health, but also among the academic community of Medical University – Plovdiv.

The innovative study programs in Informatics, Information Technology, Computer Technology, Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Quantitative Methods in Management, Health Informatics, as well as the multi-spectrum approach in educational activities at the Department correspond to the training needs of future medical specialists with adaptive and contemporary quality training. The entire academic staff distinguish with their dedication and professionalism.

The academic staff contributes significantly to the scientometric indicators with publications in prestigious journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science most of them with IF and good h-index scores.

The Department has successfully built its authority internationally over the past years. The academic staff regularly participates in prestigious international conferences, as well as in the teaching mobility under the Erasmus+ program.

The project activity is also highly developed. The members of the Department successfully participate not only in the University projects but also in many national and international ones.

All members of the Department have the highest attestation assessment. The high results are proof of the dedicated work and professionalism of the academic staff.
From November 2023, the Department is located on the 5th floor of Academic Building 2 of the Medical University – Plovdiv and has 4 computer labs (2 of which are at the Medical College), as well as 4 offices.

Teaching activities

  • “Dental Medicine” students – in Bulgarian and in English
  • Master degree students in “Public Health and Health Management”, “Health Care Management” and “Management of Medical and Social Services”
  • Bachelor degree students from specialities “Health Care Management” , “Nurse” and “Midwife”
  • all specialities in Medical College are trained in the department.

    • The academic staff takes an active part in the work of the newly established “Distance Learning Centre” at the Faculty of Public Health with development of e-courses and interactive study content facilitating the implementation of distance and electronic forms of training at the Faculty of Public Health and the Medical University – Plovdiv.

    Graduate and doctoral students in “Medical Informatics and Health Management” are educated in the department and qualification courses in Biostatistics are carried out.

    Academic staff

    Assoc. prof. Kristina Pavlova Kilova, MEng, MSc, PhD– Head of department

    Phone: 032 200 981
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Publications

    Prof. Nonka Georgieva Mateva, PhD- Responsible for Postgraduate Education

    Phone: 032 200 980
    e-mail: [email protected]
    Publications

    Assoc. prof. Antonya Yaneva -Responsible for International Cooperation and Project Activities

    Phone: 032 200 969
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Publications

    Dipl. Eng. Angelina Georgieva Kirkova – Bogdanova, MSc, PhD – Senior lecturer – Responsible for Science and International activity and Responsible for Department Web Page Updates

    Phone: 032 200 982
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Publications

    Chief Assist. Prof. Teodora Dimcheva, MPH, PhD

    Phone: 032 200 982
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Publications

    Chief Assistant eng. Zhivko Peychev, PhD – Responsible for Educational activity and Online education

    Phone: 032 200 982
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Publications

    Chief Assist. Prof. Irena Karabova-Hambarova, PhD – Responsible for Quality Assurance and Accreditation, Responsible for Occupational Health and Safety and Person Responsible for Fire Safety

    Ас. Ирена Карабова-Хамбарова_opt
    Phone: 032 200 980
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Hristo Buchkov – PhD Student

    Phone: 032 200 968
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Svetlana Chepilska – PhD Student

    Тел: 032 200 968
    e-mail: [email protected]

    Scientific activities
    Publications co-authored by members of the department:

    Shopova, D., Mihaylova, A., Yaneva, A., Bakova, D., & Dimova-Gabrovska, M. (2024). Biofabrication approaches for peri-implantitis tissue regeneration: A focus on bioprinting methods. Prosthesis, 6(2), 372–392. https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6020028 (MDPI)

    Shopova, D., Yaneva, A., Mihaylova, A., Dinkova, A., & Bakova, D. (2024). Unlocking the future: Bioprinting salivary glands-from possibility to reality. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 15(6), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15060151 (PubMed)

    Mihaylova, A., Shopova, D., Parahuleva, N., Yaneva, A., & Bakova, D. (2024). (3D) bioprinting-next dimension of the pharmaceutical sector. Pharmaceuticals, 17(6), 797. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17060797 (PubMed)

    Todorova, M. A., Yaneva, A. H., Bakova, D. R., & Harizanova, S. N. (2024). Investigating the types of eating behavior among shift workers in the machine-building industry. Folia Medica, 66(5), 699–706. https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.66.e132829 (ScienceDirect)

    Bakova, D., Yaneva, A., Harizanova, S., Shopova, D., Mihaylova, A., Kasnakova, P., Parahuleva, N., Semerdzhieva, M., Bakov, K., & Iliev, I. (2025). Monitoring health risks associated with body modifications (tattoos and permanent makeup): A systematic review. Cosmetics, 12(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010008 (MDPI)

    Mihaylova, A., Bakova, D., Davcheva, D., Yaneva, A., Shopova, D., Harizanova, S., Parahuleva, N., & Semerdzhieva, M. (2024). Ethical, medico-legal and financial aspects of the legalization of surrogate maternity in Bulgaria. African Health Sciences, 24(4), 143–148. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v24i4.19 (PubMed)

    Markova, P., Yaneva, A., Markov, S., Spasova, M., & Spasov, N. (2025). The frequency and risk factors of acute kidney injury in children with oncological diseases: A single-center study in Bulgaria. Children, 12(5), 540. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12050540 (PubMed)

    Mihaylova, A., Yaneva, A., Shopova, D., Kasnakova, P., Harizanova, S., Parahuleva, N., Etova, R., Raykova, E., Semerdzhieva, M., & Bakova, D. (2025). Pharmacists’ perceptions of 3D printing and bioprinting as part of personalized pharmacy: A cross-sectional pilot study in Bulgaria. Pharmacy, 13(3), 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13030088 (MDPI)

    Dimov, N., Yaneva, A., Valcheva, E., Raycheva, G., Popov, V., Delipavlova, R., Nikolov, D., & Grudeva-Popova, Z. (2025). Biomarkers for early detection of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Life, 15(9), 1432. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15091432 (MDPI)

    Mihaylova, A., Yaneva, A., Mollova-Kyosebekirova, A., Uchikova, E., Bakova, D., Koleva-Ivanova, M., Parahuleva, M., & Parahuleva, N. (2026). Lifestyle, modifiable behavioral factors, and biomarker profiles in uterine lesions. Healthcare, 14(2), 231. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020231 (MDPI)

    Stoilova S, Taneva D, Geneva-Popova M, Dimcheva T, Popova-Belova S.  Influence of socio-demographic factors on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. BMC Rheumatol., 2025; 9, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00550-7

    Paskaleva I, Kaleva N, Dimcheva T, Markova P, Ivanov I. Low-Carbohydrate (Ketogenic) Diet in Children with Obesity: Part 1—Diet Impact on Anthropometric Indicators and Indicators of Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance. Diseases 2025; 13(4), 94. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13040094

    Apostolova G, Dimcheva T, Asenova R. Validation and piloting of the “Pro-VC-Be Bulgarian” questionnaire. General Medicine 2025; 27(5), 3-8. Available at: https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/general-medicine

    Kilova K, Hadzhieva B, Dimcheva T, Petkova-Dimitrova V, Chepilska S, Stoyanova R Patients’ attitudes in Bulgaria towards electronic prescriptions and digital solutions. Pharmacia 2026; 73: e190084. https://doi.org/10.3897/pharmacia.73.e190084

    Lechkova B, Shishmanova-Doseva M, Benbassat N, Gevrenova R, Atanassova P, Penkova N, Peychev L, Hrischev P, Peychev Z, Ivanova S. Evaluation of the Influence of Tanacetum vulgare Extract on Cognitive Functions and Hippocampal BDNF Expression. Molecules, Volume 29, Issue 23, 2024, Article 5723. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235723. IF(2023): 4,2, SJR(2023): 0,744 (Q1)

    Chaouchi, O., Todorova, V., Ivanova, S., Dzhambazova, E., Fernane, F., Zerrouki, N. D., Peychev, L., Saracheva, K., Shishmanova-Doseva, M., & Peychev, Z. (2025). In Vivo Evaluation of the Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Thymus numidicus Essential Oil. Pharmaceuticals, 18(7), 1031. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18071031. IF(2024): 4,8, SJR(2023): 0,78 (Q1)

    Lechkova, B., Shishmanova-Doseva, M., Benbassat, N., Atanassova, P., Penkova, N., Hrischev, P., & Peychev, Z. (2026). Neurocognitive and Memory-Enhancing Effect of Tanacetum vulgare Essential Oil: Involvement of Hippocampal Neurotrophic Signaling. Pharmaceutics, 18(4), 449. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040449 IF(2024): 5,5; SJR(2025): 1,197 (Q1)

    Karcheva-Bahchevanska D, Benbassat N, Georgieva Y, Lechkova B, Ivanova S, Ivanov K, Todorova V, Peychev L, Peychev Z, Denev P. A Study of the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Acute Toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum vulgare L. Essential Oil. Molecules, Volume 28, Issue 16, 2023, Article 6155. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28166155. PMID: 37630407; PMCID: PMC10457739. IF(2023): 4,2, SJR(2023): 0,744 (Q1)

    Taneva D, Gyurova-Kancheva V, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Paskaleva D, Zlatanova Y. Electronic Nursing Records: Importance for Nursing and Benefits of Implementation in Health Information Systems—A Scoping Review. Nursing Reports, 2024; 14: 3585-3605. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14040262 IF(2023): 2.4

    Kirkova-Bogdanova A. How do economic disparities lead to health inequalities? Iranian Journal of Public Health, 2025; 54(1): 227-228. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17595 IF(2024): 1.6

    Nikolova Z, Sandeva M, Uchikova E, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Taneva D, Vladimirova M, Georgieva L. Impact of Maternal Overweight and Obesity on Pregnancy Outcomes Following Cesarean Delivery: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Healthcare, 2025; 13(15): 1893. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151893 IF(2024): 2.7

    Manchorova N, Kolev D, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Simeonov N, Stavreva E. Effects of 3DVR-haptic simulation training on cognitive functions: a functional neuroimaging pilot study using swLORETA qEEG. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2026; 19:1709436. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1709436 IF=2.7

    Hambarova, I., Mateva, N. (2024). Impact of Information Technologies on Physician–Patient Relationships. General Medicine, 26(1), 3–9. Indexed in Scopus. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388644954

    Hambarova, I., Mateva, N., Yaneva, A., Dimov, N., Foreva, G., Elenska, P. (2025). Telemedicine – Future Applications and the Need for Training: A Survey among Bulgarian and International Medical Students. General Medicine, 27(1), 3–9. Indexed in Scopus. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390371232

    Hambarova, I., Mateva, N., Yaneva, A. (2024). Remote Healthcare Consulting: Opportunities and Best Practices. Management and Education, 20(5), 179–186. Available at: https://www.conference-burgas.com/maevolumes/vol20_2024/b5_v20.pdf

    Project activities

    The academic staff of the Department of Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-Learning actively participates in research projects. Department members are engaged not only in intra-university projects, but also in national and international research initiatives.
    Current Projects:
    International project “Digitally Guided Cognition and Cognitive Profiling” under the “Strategic Research and Innovation Program for the Development of MU-Plovdiv (PSNIIR-MUP)”, Pillar 2: Creation of a network of research universities of the Program for Accelerating Economic Recovery through Science and Innovation from the “Innovative Bulgaria” component of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Contract No. BG-RRP-2.004-00007-C01
    Inter-university project
    • “Digitalization of Nursing Care through the Implementation of an Electronic Nursing Record” funded by the EU Next Generation EU through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Contract No. BG-RRP-2.004-00007-C01
    • Project No. NO-27/2025 – “Comparative study of the linear accuracy of laboratory and intraoral scanners in imaging prepared dental tissues for fixed structures”
    • Project No. NO-24/2025 – “Application of information and communication technologies in pharmacy – telepharmacy”
    • Project No. NO-20/2025 – “Study of the effect of CBD (cannabidiol) and some cannabis terpenes on pain and anxiety in neurodegenerative diseases”
    • Project No. NO-17/2025 – “Study of functional training capacity and quality of life in individuals with post COVID-19 syndrome and long COVID-19 in Plovdiv region”
    • Project No. NO-11/2025 – “New markers for metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis”
    • Project No. NO-23/2024 – “Follow-up of cerebrovascular findings”
    • Project No. NO-16/2024 – “Validation in Bulgaria of the IMPACT III questionnaire in children with inflammatory bowel diseases”
    • Project No. NO-09/2024 – “Comparative analysis of EEG and functional MRI results of the brain in patients with well-controlled and drug-resistant epilepsy”
    • Project No. NO-02/2024 – “Laboratory and clinical analysis of an innovative mouthwash in children with fixed orthodontic appliances of school age”
    • Project No. NO-01/2024 – “Study of the effectiveness of zinc-containing splints in the treatment of gingivitis – laboratory and clinical studies”
    • Project No. DPDP-09/2023 – “Arrhythmogenic burden in metabolic syndrome. Ways to influence”
    • Project No. DPDP-08/2023 – “Analytical Characterization and Study of Biological Activity of Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana”

    Dissertations

    • Successfully Defended Doctoral Theses

    Karabova-Khambarova I. Study and comparative analysis of attitudes towards e-health in Bulgaria, MU-Plovdiv, 2023
    Yaneva A. Computer modeling of transversal facial discrepancies with application in orthodontic practice. 2020
    Kilova K. Information system for assessing the quality of education in higher medical schools. 2017
    Kirkova-Bogdanova A. E-learning for modern health care education – motivation and skills of students and teachers. 2017
    Boeva T. Computer modeling of transversal facial discrepancies with application in orthodontic practice. 2017
    Dimcheva T. Management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – application of information technologies. 2017
    Peychev Zh. Model and system for expert information support of homeopathic practice. 2017
    Mateva N. Modeling and prediction of survival in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 2005

    • Full-time PhD students at the department:

    Hristo Buchkov
    Svetlana Chepilska

    Textbooks and Teaching Materials

    Mateva N. Fundamentals of biostatistics. 2015, ed. MU – Plovdiv.
    Mateva N., T. Boeva, Kr. Kilova, Zh. Peychev, T. Dimcheva, Ang. Kirkova. Medical informatics, test questions and practical tasks. 2015, ed. MU – Plovdiv.