info@medicampus.edu.mt
(+356) 7709 9274
Ass. Dr. Petya Hadzhibozheva, PhD
Petya Hadzhibozheva-Georgieva, PhD, is Associate Professor of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine of Trakia University. Her research focuses on smooth muscle physiology, neuropeptide regulation and the mechanisms controlling visceral organ contractility under physiological and pathological conditions. She also investigates oxidative stress, antioxidant protection and the therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds using experimental in vivo and in vitro models.
Education and Positions
2024–present
Associate Professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
2020–2024
Chief Assistant Professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University.
2008–2020
Assistant Professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University.
2012–2016
PhD in Animal and Human Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria.
2011
Qualification in the Protection and Welfare of Experimental Animals Used for Scientific and Educational Purposes, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University.
2005–2007
Veterinary Doctor, Canina Veterinary Clinic, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
1999–2005
Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University.
The Most Significant Publications
PETKOVA-PARLAPANSKA, K.; STEFANOV, I.; ANANIEV, J.; et al. Sambucus nigra lyophilised fruit extract attenuated acute redox-homeostatic imbalance via mutagenic and oxidative stress modulation in a mouse model of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Pharmaceuticals, 2025, 18(1): 85.
GEORGIEV, T.; NIKOLOVA, G.; DYAKOVA, V.; et al. Antioxidant potential and oxidative stress modulation of Geranium macrorrhizum L. oil extract in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Pharmaceuticals, 2025, 18(9): 1283.
ZLATEVA, S.; PETKOVA-PARLAPANSKA, K.; DOBREVA, A.; et al. The radical-scavenging potential and oxidative stress modulation of Rosa alba L. absolute against gentamicin-induced renal toxicity. Journal of IMAB, 2025, 31(4): 6680–6686.
HADZHIBOZHEVA, P.; PASHOVA-STOYANOVA, L.; TSOKEVA, Z.; et al. Appetite-regulating hormones in rats with fructose-induced metabolic changes. Pharmacia, 2023, 70(1): 1–7.
GEORGIEV, T.; NIKOLOVA, G.; DYAKOVA, V.; et al. Vitamin E and silymarin reduce oxidative tissue damage during gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Pharmaceuticals, 2023, 16: 1365.
GEORGIEV, T.; HADZHIBOZHEVA, P.; KARAMALAKOVA, Y.; et al. Therapeutic approach of glutathione/glutathione peroxidase-4 axis modulation in the light of ferroptosis. Pharmacia, 2022, 69(3): 839–846.
Professional Activities
Academic and Teaching Activities
Teaching Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University.
Academic activity within the Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
Research Activities
Research focused on smooth muscle physiology, including regulatory mechanisms, contractile activity and reactivity of visceral smooth muscles under physiological and pathological conditions.
Investigation of the effects and cellular signalling of biologically active regulatory peptides, including angiotensin II, vasopressin and ghrelin.
Research into phytotherapy and antioxidant protection, with particular attention to plant extracts, essential oils and bioactive compounds.
Study of oxidative stress and drug-induced organ damage, including gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Development and use of in vivo and in vitro experimental animal models for metabolic disorders, organ injury and pharmacological testing.
Experimental and Laboratory Activities
Experimental evaluation of smooth muscle contractility and reactivity.
Use of rodent models for metabolic, pharmacological and organ-injury studies.
Investigation of antioxidant and redox-homeostatic mechanisms in experimental models.
Professional Memberships
Member of the Bulgarian Society of Physiological Sciences.
Member of the Bulgarian Peptide Society.
