Prof. Dr Valya Vassileva begins her second term today as Director of the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics (IPPG) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. She has been re-elected as director of the Institute for the period 2026–2030. Prof. Vassileva has been leading the IPPG since October 2022, having previously served as deputy director and head of the “Regulation of Gene Expression” laboratory.
Her research focuses on molecular biology and plant physiology, with primary interests in the regulation of gene expression, epigenetic mechanisms and the molecular basis of plant adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. She has extensive experience in coordinating and implementing national and international research projects, including under the “Horizon Europe”, “Marie Skłodowska-Curie” and COST programmes, as well as in international scientific collaboration, scientific organisational activities and the training of early-career researchers.
The main objective of the IPPG Management and Development Programme for the period 2026–2030 is to establish the Institute as a leading national and recognised European research centre in the field of functional plant biology. Priorities include enhancing scientific quality and international competitiveness, developing interdisciplinary research, expanding participation and leadership in European research programmes and networks, and strengthening scientific capacity through support for early-career researchers and PhD students. The programme also envisages strengthening the links between science and practice, developing innovation and knowledge transfer, modernising and making more effective use of scientific infrastructure, and improving institutional governance.
The new management mandate builds on the achievements of the 2022–2026 period during which the Institute made significant progress in the quality of its scientific output, international project activities, academic development and the training of PhD students.
