Andrey Popatanasov | Neurobiology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Andrey Popatanasov | Neurobiology | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Institute of Neuro biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

Andrey Popatanasov is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. With a unique multidisciplinary background, he holds BSc degrees in Psychology, Physics, and Biology, with MSc degrees in Clinical Psychology, Medical Physics, and Molecular Biology. He is completing his PhD in Human and Animal Physiology, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to scientific learning. Since 2016, Andrey has played a key role in neurobiological research, particularly on neurodegenerative disorders. His work involves molecular docking, in silico and in vivo studies, and the interaction of quantum radiation with living tissues. He has authored over a dozen peer‑reviewed articles and contributed to book chapters, demonstrating strong publication productivity. As a member of Bulgarian scientific societies in physiology, toxicology, and peptides, he actively engages in professional development and scholarly communication. His interdisciplinary expertise spans neuroscience, biophysics, psychology, and molecular biology, aligning theory with practical therapeutics and public health applications.

Professional Profile

Education

Andrey Popatanasov completed a diverse academic foundation demonstrating deep integration across fields. He earned BSc degrees in Psychology, Physics, and Biology, offering a broad base in both social science and natural science domains. He then advanced to MSc qualifications in Clinical Psychology, Medical Physics, and Molecular Biology, refining clinical, physical, and cellular expertise. Currently, he is finalizing his PhD in Human and Animal Physiology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, integrating his multidisciplinary knowledge into experimental design and physiological interpretation. His academic versatility supports exploration at molecular, psychological, and systemic levels—ideal for neurobiological research. Andrey’s academic journey has provided advanced training in psychophysiology, radiobiology, molecular modeling, and ethology. This cross-disciplinary education empowers him to bridge computational, experimental, and clinical worlds, optimizing both research breadth and depth, and preparing him for leadership in translational neurobiology.

Experience

Since 2016, Andrey has served as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Neurobiology (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), where he contributes to neurodegenerative and affective‑behavioral studies. In 2015, he worked briefly as a Molecular Biologist at the Institute of Molecular Biology “Roumen Tsanev.” He taught physics at Sofia University’s Faculty of Physics (2014–2015) and performed specialized physics research at the Institute of Optical Materials and Technologies (2012). Earlier, between 2002 and 2005, he was a Psychophysiology researcher at the Institute of Psychology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences—focusing on cognitive‑developmental studies in children. Across these roles, Andrey developed skills in experimental design, laboratory methods, in silico modeling, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His diverse work experience reflects adaptability, integrative thinking, and proficiency across biological, physical, and psychological science—well-suited for modern neurobiology settings.

Research Focus

Andrey’s research intersects neuroscience, psychology, molecular biology, and biophysics. He investigates affective and pro-social behaviors in neurological and psychiatric conditions, including developing and testing novel ligands and neuroactive compounds in rodent disease models such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. His projects span in silico molecular docking, in vivo neuropharmacology, and mechanistic studies of ligand–biomolecule interactions. He also investigates the effects of electromagnetic radiation from quantum generators on biological soft tissue, bridging theoretical optics and experimental biology. Genomic complexity and control of expression during the cell cycle have been explored in laboratory and computational settings. He further examines language complexity’s impact on brain development in disabled children. Current work includes evaluating new memantine-based derivatives against Alzheimer’s pathology, with a focus on translational potential. Andrey’s research emphasizes integrative, multidisciplinary methods aimed at understanding neurological disorders and developing next-generation therapies.

Publication Top Notes

  1. In Silico and In Vivo Evaluation of N-Sinapoyl‑memantine as a Candidate for Alzheimer’s Disease Management (Crystals, May 2025).
    Summary: First author; used computational docking and mouse models to test memantine derivative for neuroprotection.

  2. Mutation Breeding Research in Sweet Pepper (Book chapter, 2023; in Mutation Breeding for Sustainable Food Production, ISBN 978‑981‑16‑9720‑3).
    Summary: Examines mutation breeding strategies for climate-resilient agriculture.

  3. Effect of Castalagin Against HSV‑1 Infection in Newborn Mice (Natural Product Research, Dec 2023).
    Summary: Evaluated antiviral effects of castalagin in neonatal HSV‑1 mouse model.

  4. Neuroprotective Effect of 2‑Methylcinnamic Acid Amide in an MPTP‑Induced Parkinson’s Model (Crystals, Oct 2022).
    Summary: Demonstrated in vivo efficacy and docking-based binding analysis for a novel compound.

  5. Tyrosinyl‑amantadine in Parkinson’s Disease Rats (Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Apr 2022).
    Summary: Reported behavioral and molecular improvements in 6‑OHDA Parkinsonian rats.

  6. Safety and Activity of Newly Synthesized Amantadine Derivative (Farmacia, Dec 2021).
    Summary: Preclinical toxicity and pharmacological profiling for amantadine analogue.

  7. Canopy Effects on Ophrys insectifera Distribution (Journal of BioScience and Biotechnology, 2020).
    Summary: Used imaging to study habitat effects on endangered orchid.

  8. New Neurotensin Analogue for Affective Symptoms in Parkinson’s Rats (Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 2020).
    Summary: Behavioral efficacy of a neurotensin analogue in disease model.

  9. Ellagic Acid Prevents Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Mice (Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 2018).
    Summary: Mechanistic insights into ellagic acid’s neuroprotection in AD mouse model.

  10. Preventive Effect of Neurotensin Analogues in Parkinson’s Rats (Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Dec 2018).
    Summary: Demonstrated neurotensin analogues’ protective roles against dopaminergic degeneration.

Conclusion

Andrey Popatanasov exemplifies the profile of a committed, interdisciplinary researcher with contributions spanning fundamental and applied neuroscience, molecular medicine, and psychology. His work displays both depth and societal relevance, particularly in managing neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders. Despite modest citation metrics and limited industrial engagement, his diverse academic training, integrative research approach, and scholarly productivity make him a worthy contender for the Best Researcher Award.

Maëva Daoud | Brain stimulation | Young Scientist Award

Dr Maëva Daoud | Brain stimulation | Young Scientist Award

Research Assistant, Aix Marseille University, France

Maëva Daoud is a Research Assistant specializing in Neuroscience, currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Geneva. Her work spans across brain stimulation, epilepsy, and neurophysiological measurements. Daoud holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Aix Marseille University and has developed a strong foundation in experimental neuroscience through multiple internships and research roles. She is particularly passionate about improving treatments for epilepsy using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Daoud has authored several publications, presented at international conferences, and is actively involved in research that bridges basic and clinical neuroscience. In addition, she contributes to team leadership, organizing lab meetings and PhD events, demonstrating her capacity for both scientific and collaborative efforts.

Profile

Orcid

Education

  • 2024–2025: Postdoctoral Researcher in Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • 2020–2024: PhD in Neuroscience, Aix Marseille University, France
  • 2017–2019: Master in Fundamental and Clinical Neuroscience, Claude Bernard University, France
  • 2015–2017: Bachelor in Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Paul Sabatier University, France

Daoud’s education reflects a strong academic progression, starting with a Bachelor’s degree in physiology and advancing through a Master’s and PhD in neuroscience. Her research trajectory has been deeply focused on epilepsy, brain networks, and neurostimulation. During her doctoral studies, she trained at prominent institutions like the Systems Neuroscience Institute and received mentorship from leading experts in the field. This educational foundation has prepared her for postdoctoral research aimed at improving clinical treatments for neurological conditions using advanced techniques like tDCS and neuroimaging.

Experience

Maëva Daoud’s research experience spans multiple prestigious institutions. From 2020 to 2024, she worked on her PhD at the Systems Neuroscience Institute in Marseille, focusing on brain stimulation‘s effects in epilepsy. Her research explored the neurophysiological mechanisms and network dynamics involved in drug-resistant epilepsy and their modulation by multichannel tDCS. Prior to this, she completed research internships at the Neuroscience Research Center of Lyon (2019) and Animal Cognition Research Center (2017), gaining expertise in intracerebral EEG, brain anatomy, and behavioral neuroscience. These internships provided her with diverse skills in neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and animal models, all of which contributed to her robust scientific foundation. Daoud has also taken on leadership roles in organizing team meetings and PhD events, demonstrating her collaborative skills.

Research Focus

Maëva Daoud’s research focuses on improving treatments for epilepsy through non-invasive brain stimulation, particularly multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Her work aims to understand the neurophysiological effects of tDCS on brain networks in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. She uses advanced techniques such as MEG, HR-EEG, and source reconstruction to study the impact of tDCS on brain excitability, functional connectivity, and epileptogenic zones. Daoud’s research explores both local and network changes in the brain, with the goal of personalizing brain stimulation therapies. Additionally, she investigates sleep-related brain dynamics and cortical-thalamic coupling during paradoxical sleep, offering insights into the fundamental mechanisms of brain networks. Her work blends clinical and experimental neuroscience, providing potential clinical applications for treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Daoud M, Medina S, et al., The extent and depth of the epileptogenic zone network impact the response to tDCS. (Accepted in Brain Communication)
  2. Daoud M, Medina S, et al., Local and Network Changes after Multichannel tDCS using MEG in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy. (Accepted in Clinical Neurophysiology)
  3. Bastuji H, Daoud M, et al., REM sleep remains paradoxical: sub-states determined by thalamo-cortical and cortico-cortical functional connectivity. J Physiol. 2024, 602(20):5269-5287.
  4. Daoud M†, Durelle C†, et al., Long-term effect of multichannel tDCS protocol in patients with central cortex epilepsies associated with epilepsia partialis continua. Brain Topogr. 2024, 10.1007/s10548-024-01045-3.
  5. Simula S†, Daoud M†, et al., Transcranial current stimulation in epilepsy: A systematic review of the fundamental and clinical aspects. Front Neurosci. 2022;16:909421.
  6. Daoud M, Salvador R, et al., Stereo-EEG based personalized multichannel tDCS in drug-resistant epilepsy. Clin Neurophysiol. 2022;137:142-151.