info@medicampus.edu.mt
(+356) 2546 6007
Prof. Atanasova- Dimitrova, PhD
Dimitrinka Atanasova-Dimitrova, PhD, is Professor of Morphology at the Faculty of Medicine of Trakia University and Associate Professor at the Institute of Neurobiology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on neuromorphology, the central nervous system, neurogenesis, ageing, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, using histological, immunocytochemical, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy techniques.
Education and Positions
Present
Professor of Morphology, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
2020–present
Associate Professor of Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora.
2018–present
Associate Professor of Animal and Human Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
2019
Specialisation in Anatomy, Histology and Cytology.
2019
DAAD Research Fellow, Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Centre Rostock, Germany.
Research project: Morphological Diversity of Astrocytes in an Experimental Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis.
2017
Visiting Researcher, Department of Genes and Behaviour, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
2015
PhD in Morphology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
2000
Master’s Degree in Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria.
The Most Significant Publications
PESHEV, V.; IVANOVA, P.; KRUSHOVLIEVA, D.; et al. Predatory odor exposure as a potential paradigm for studying emotional modulation of memory consolidation: the role of noradrenergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, 25(12): 6576.
MIHAYLOVA, R.; ANGELOVA, V.; TCHEKALAROVA, J.; et al. Tailored melatonin- and donepezil-based hybrids targeting pathognomonic changes in Alzheimer’s disease: an in vitro and in vivo investigation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, 25(11): 5969.
ATANASOVA, D.Y.; DANDOV, A.D.; LAZAROV, N.E. Neurochemical plasticity of the carotid body in hypertension. The Anatomical Record, 2023, 306(9): 2366–2379.
KIROV, T.V.; ATANASOVA, D.Y.; LAZAROV, N.E. Neurochemical profile of the myenteric plexus in the rat colorectal region. The Anatomical Record, 2023, 306(9): 2292–2301.
PETROV, L.; STOILOVA, O.; PRAMATAROV, G.; et al. Effect of chitosan–diosgenin combination on wound healing. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023, 24(5): 5049.
BEHRANGI, N.; HEINIG, L.; FRINTROP, L.; et al. Siponimod ameliorates metabolic oligodendrocyte injury via the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 5. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2022, 119(40): e2204509119.
Professional Activities
Teaching and Academic Activities
Professor of Morphology at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University.
Associate Professor of Animal and Human Physiology at the Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
Academic activity in morphology, anatomy, histology, cytology, physiology and neurobiology.
Research Activities
Research focused on experimental morphology, neuromorphology, histological techniques and the central nervous system.
Application of immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, neuronal tracing and confocal microscopy.
Investigation of the carotid body, respiratory regulation and neurochemical plasticity.
Study of epilepsy through experimental models of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Research into neurogenesis, ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and neuroglia.
Study of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and the enteric nervous system.
Application of plastination techniques in anatomical research.
Research Projects
Principal Investigator of projects concerning neurogenesis, hippocampal memory consolidation and neurochemical plasticity of the carotid body.
Coordinator of research on age-related changes in the enteric nervous system.
Participation in projects concerning melatonin deficiency, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular ageing and precision medicine.
International Experience
DAAD Research Fellow at the University Medical Centre Rostock.
Visiting Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry.
International collaboration with the I.P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Recipient of the “Corresponding Member Dimitar Kadanov” scientific award for achievements in morphology in 2019.
Recipient of an award for poster presentation at the Balkan Scientific Conference on Biology in 2014.
Member of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists.
Member of the European Federation of Experimental Morphology.
Member of the Bulgarian Anatomical Society.
Member of the Union of Scientists, Stara Zagora Branch.
