Assoc. Prof. Severina Semkova, PhD | CV

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Education

  • 2017: PhD degree defended in IBPhBME-BAS, Electroinduced and Adhesive Properties Dept.
  • 2014 – 2017: Regular PhD student in IBPhBME-BAS, Electroinduced and Adhesive Properties Dept.
  • 2011 – 2013: Master Degree in Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
  • 2012 – 2013: Postgraduate qualification “Teacher in Biology”, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
  • 2007 – 2011: Bachelor Degree in Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridksi”

International specializations

  • 2018-2019: JSPS postdoc specialization (1 year) in Chiba, Japan – Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Quantum-state Controlled MRI Group, Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST)
  • 2014: Specialization in Chiba, Japan for a period of one month – training and collaborative research at the National Institute for Radiological Research Japan Center for molecular imaging
  • 2015: Specialization in Bucharest, Romania – participation in the International School “Electroporation for Medicine”, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, (scientific event – part of the COST program – Action TD1104)

Areas of scientific interest

  • Electroporation, Electrochemotherapy, Nanoparticles, Theranostics, Fluorescent Imaging Techniques, Drug delivery, Redox imaging, Оxidative stress, Nanomedicine

Languages

  • Bulgarian – mother language
  • English – fluent
  • Russian – fluent

Project participation

  1. 2017/2018: DFNP-17-137/01.08.2017 with title: “Establishment of efficiency of combined treatment of colon cancer with a new generation antitumor drugs and electroporation, based on changes in cellular redox status”; project-manager/ co-investigator
  2. 2017/2020: DN11/2 with topic: “Isolation, characterization and study of the antitumor properties of natural biologically active substances, produced by bacteria and algae”; co-investigator
  3. 2015-2020: CA15126; MOBIEU COST action СА 15126 with title: “Between atom and cell: Integrating molecular biophysics approaches for Biology and Healthcare“, (MOBIEU), co-investigator
  4. 2016-2017: DFNP-133/12.05.2016 with title: “Theranostics treatment of colon cancer cells by using multimodal nanoparticles, cytostatics and electroporation”; project-manager/ co-investigator
  5. 2014-2015: BG051RO001-3.3.06.-0040 – “Establishment of interdisciplinary teams of young scientists in the field of fundamental and applied research relevant to medical practice” – Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, implemented with financial support of the operative program “Human Resources Development”, financed by ESF of the EU, participant
  6. 2014: BG051RO001-3.3.05-0001 – “Science and Business”, funded by the European Social Fund and the Ministry of Education and Science, Bulgaria, participant.

Oral and Poster Presentations

  1. S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, Zh. Zhelev, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova. Redox-sensitive quantum biosensors for cellular and tissues redox mapping; 4-5 November 2019; BMQL – 2019: Second Youth Scientific Session “Biomedicine and Quality of Life”, Sofia, Bulgaria
  2. R. Bakalova, S. Semkova, Zh. Zhelev and I.Aoki. Quantum sensors for mapping of oxidative stress in cells and tissues using EPR, MRI and optical imaging; 23 – 24. May 2019; JSMI_2019_Report/ The 14th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Molecular Imaging_2019; Sapporo, Japan
  3. S. Semkova, D. Lazarova, Zh. Zhelev, B. Nikolova, R. Bakalova and I. Aoki. New Redoxomic-based Strategy in Cancer – Predictive Medicine; 09 – 12 May 2019; International Congress of Medical Science `On the Edge of Innovation` 2019; Sofia, Bulgaria
  4. R. Bakalova, S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, S. Shibata, Zh. Zhelev, I. Tsoneva and I. Aoki. Imaging of electro-induced changes in cytoskeleton integrity and their effect on cytotoxicity of SN38 in colon cancer cells; 31 May – 01 June 2018; JSMI_2018_Report/ Annual meeting of Japanese Society for Molecular Imaging, Osaka, Japan
  5. B. Nikolova, I. Tsoneva, S. Semkova, L. Kabaivanova, N. Hristova, L. Nacheva, P. Popov, I. Stoineva and B. Iakimova. Trechalose lipid production, isolation, characterization and study of antitumor activity; 10- 13 May 2018; XVII International Congress of Medical Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
  6. S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, Zh. Zhelev, I. Tsoneva, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova. Electro-induced changes in cytoskeleton integrity and their influence on cytotoxicity of anticancer drug SN38 in colon cancer cells; 31 May – 01 June 2018; XXVIII International Scientific Conference “ Bulgarian European Presidency – Innovation and Prosperity“, Stara Zagora Union of Scientists; Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
  7. S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, Sh. Murayama, E. Stoyanova, I. Tsoneva, Zh. Zhelev, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova; In vitro and in vivo Visualization of Internalization and Localization of Theranostic Nanoparticles in Tumors after Electroporation; 2-26 – 27 June 2017; Scientific Session „Biomedicine and Quality of Life – Youth in Science“; Sofia, Bulgaria
  8. D. Lazarova, S. Semkova, A. Danailova, G. Zlateva and R. Bakalova; Cytotoxicity of SN38, EF24 and their combination on Colon cancer cells: “oncogenic” versus “onco-suppressive” reactive oxygen species; 01 – 02 June 2017; XXVII International Conference Stara Zagora, devoted to 65 anniversary of “Mini Maricha – Iztok”, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
  9. S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, Sh. Murayama, Zh. Zhelev, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova; Increasing loading capacity for conventional fluorescent dyes of theranostic multimodal nanoparticles; 01 – 02 June 2017; XXVII International Conference Stara Zagora, devoted to 65 anniversary of “Mini Maricha – Iztok”, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
  10. S. Semkova, B. Nikolva, P. Popov, I. Tsoneva, Zh. Zhelev, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova; Loading efficiency of theranostic multimodal nanoparticlesfor conventional fluorescent dyes and quantum dots; 11- 14 May 2017; Xvi International Congress of Medical Sciences; Sofia, Bulgaria
  11. S. Semkova, B. Nikolova, Sh. Murayama, I. Tsoneva, E. Stoyanova, Zh. Zhelev, I. Aoki and R. Bakalova; Visualization of passive and electro-assisted delivery of quantum dot-labeled nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo using fluorescent and magnetic resonance imaging; 03 – 05 November 2017; 12th National medical physics and biomedical engineering conference – NMPEC – 2016 with international participation; Sofia, Bulgaria
  12. Nikolova, B., Atanasova, S., Mudrov, T., Tsoneva, I., Zhelev, Z., Bakalova, R., Aoki, I. In vivo Image-guided Electro-assisted Drug Delivery in Colon 26 grafted mice: Comparison Between Two Types of Electrodes. V юбилейна научна конференция на тема: Комплексно поведение при туморите в малкия таз. 19-21 юни 2015, Правец, България.
  13. Nikolova, B., Atanasova, S., Aoki, I., Tsoneva, I., Zhelev, Zh., Bakalova R., Tumor targeting in vivo, by using quantum dot-labeled polymersomes. XI national conference on medical biology 15-17 May, 2015, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
  14. Атанасова, С., Николова, Б., Цонева, Я. Мураяма, Ш., Аоки, И., Желев, Ж., Бакалова, Р. Визуализиране на проникването и локализирането на флуоресцентни наночастици в тумори след електропорация: експериментални модели in vivo. 5-6 май 2015, FOCHOS 2015 Светлината в науката, МУ София.
  15. Atanasova, S., Lazarova, D., Nikolova, B., Zhelev, Zh. Tsoneva, I., Spasov, L., Bakalova, R., Electro-assisted drug delivery in cancer using size-controlled long-circulating polymer nanoparticles, 5-6 June 2014, 24th International Scientific Conference, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
  16. Atanasova, S., Lazarova, D., Nikolova, B., Zhelev, Z., Tsoneva, I., Aoki, I., Bakalova, R. In vivo visualization of electro-assisted delivery of nanoparticles using optical imaging. 9th International Conference Anticancer Research, 6-10 October, 2014, Porto Carras, Sithonia, Greece.

Awards

  • JSPS (Japanese Society of Promotion of Science) Award Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (FY 2018 P 18766)
  • Best Oral Presentation in Second Youth Scientific Session “Biomedicine and Quality of Life” November 4-5, 2019. Presentation Title: “Redox-sensitive quantum biosensors for cellular and tissues redox mapping “, аuthors: Severina Semkova, Biliana Nikolova, Zhivko Zhelev, Ichio Aoki, Rumiana Bakalova
  • October 2014: First prize at the Scientific Session for PhD students and young scientists on “Biomedicine and Quality of Life”, organized on the occasion of the 145th anniversary of the Academy of Sciences with a report entitled “Impact of electroporation on cytotoxicity and redox modulating effect of conventional chemotherapeutics, administered on isolated cancer cell lines.”

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