Staff

Researchers leading the current scientific activities of the Space Physics Department, with expertise in space plasma physics, cosmic radiation, and space weather.

Core Team

Marusja Buchvarova

Marusja Buchvarova

Associate Professor
Research Focus
Space Radiation · Energetic Particles · Radiation Dosimetry · Numerical Modelling
Education
  • PhD in Physics (Physics of the Ocean, Atmosphere and Near–Earth Space), Higher Attestation Commission of Bulgaria
  • MSc in Physics and Astronomy, Sofia University
Professional Memberships
  • The Planetary Society
  • European Geosciences Union (EGU)
  • Union of the Physicists in Bulgaria
Contact
buchvarova.astro@gmail.com
Dimitar Draganov

Dimitar Draganov

Senior Researcher
Research Focus
Space Radiation · Energetic Particles · Radiation Dosimetry · Numerical Modelling · Polymers · Lasers
Education
  • PhD in Physics (Condensed Matter Physics, X-ray Physics), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
  • MSc in Physics (Nuclear and Elementary Particles Physics), Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • MSc in Chemical Engineering (Colloids, Surfaces and Polymers), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
Contact
dtdraganov@gmail.com

Affiliated Researchers

Researchers contributing to the Department’s scientific activities.

Selection Note

This list highlights key researchers who have made significant contributions to the Department, particularly among its most recent members prior to retirement. It is not exhaustive.

Inclusion is based on documented scientific contributions and verifiable records. Proposals for additional inclusion should be supported by such evidence and will be assessed in accordance with the Department’s established criteria. In the absence of documented contributions, inclusion will not be considered.

Stefan Chapkanov

Stefan Chapkanov

Founding Member
Education
MSc in Engineering (Semiconductor Electronics), Technical University of Sofia
Academic Rank
Associate Professor
Research Focus
Space physics; ionospheric and magnetospheric physics; space instrumentation; experimental methods in space physics
Key Roles and Contributions
  • Led the development of the first Bulgarian space instrument (P–1)
  • Led the development of the RIKI instrument for plasma experiments on board the CENTAURE II rockets, as part of a joint Indo-Bulgarian project
  • Scientific Secretary of the Central Laboratory for Space Research (CLSR–BAS)
  • Director of the "Bulgaria–1300" programme unit
  • Head of the Space Instrumentation Department at CLSR–BAS
  • Programme Leader of the "Space Transfer" Programme (technology transfer to industrial production)
  • Until 2009: Scientific Secretary of the Space Research Institute and Head of the Space Physics Department
Ivan Kutiev

Ivan Kutiev

Founding Member
Education
MSc in Physics (Meteorology), Faculty of Physics, Sofia University
Academic Rank
Professor, DSc
Research Focus
Space plasma measurements and analysis; ionospheric modelling and forecasting; empirical modelling of topside electron density profiles; low–latitude ionosphere
Key Roles and Contributions
  • Scientific Secretary of the National Committee for Space Research and the Use of Outer Space (Jan 1974 – Jun 1987), under whose leadership the first Bulgarian manned spaceflight mission was conducted and the first Bulgarian satellite, "Bulgaria–1300", was launched
  • Head of the Space Physics Department at the Central Laboratory for Space Research (Jan 1971 – Jun 1987)
  • Participated in international research teams from India, Greece, and the USA, contributing to the solution of key scientific problems in space physics
  • Deputy Director of the Geophysical Institute (Feb 1996 – Dec 1999)
  • COSPAR Task Group Member (IRI)
  • Member of the National COSPAR Committee
Mariyana Gousheva

Mariyana Gousheva

Key Contributor
Education
MSc in Engineering (Electrical Measuring Technique), Technical University of Sofia
Research Focus
Space science instrumentation; space physics; earthquake hazards (electric, magnetic and electromagnetic phenomena related to earthquakes)
Key Roles and Contributions
  • Co–Investigator in a joint Indo-Bulgarian project conducting plasma experiments on board the CENTAURE II rockets with the RIKI instrument, supported by the Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) diagnostic tool
  • Co–Investigator in the VERTICAL International Programme, conducting a series of plasma experiments on board the VERTICAL–7, –9 and –10 rockets using instruments 4ELI–1, ID–1R, 4ELI–2 and ID–2R
  • Lead engineer of the ID–1 instrument under the "Bulgaria–1300" programme
  • Co–Investigator in the Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV) experiment XANI on board the INTERCOSMOS–24 "ACTIVE" satellite (1983–1996)
Ludmil Bankov

Ludmil Bankov

Key Contributor (retired)
Education
MSc in Physics (Meteorology), Faculty of Physics, Sofia University
Research Focus
Ionosphere–upper atmosphere dynamics; solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere interaction processes; active experiments in space plasmas
Key Roles and Contributions
  • Principal Investigator (PI) of the Ion Drift Meter and Retarding Potential Analyzer instrument, on board the INTERCOSMOS–BULGARIA–1300 satellite and the heavy geophysical VERTICAL–10 rocket (1977–1981); developed the methodology for processing and interpreting the instrument’s measurement data
  • Developed the methodology for processing Langmuir probe current–voltage (I–V) characteristics for accurate determination of plasma parameters
  • Principal Investigator (Bulgarian side) of the Laser Ion Mass Analyzer (LIMA–D) under the INTERCOSMOS "MARS–PHOBOS" project (1982–1987)
  • Principal Investigator (Bulgarian side) of the Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV) experiment XANI on board the INTERCOSMOS–24 "ACTIVE" satellite (1983–1996)
  • Member of the data processing and analysis group – "Bulgaria–1300" project (1982–1989)
  • Member of the data processing and analysis group – INTERCOSMOS–24 project (1989–1996)
  • Member of the DEMETER Guest Investigators Group (since 2004)