Head of State Rumen Radev awarded the Presidential Badge of Honour to prominent figures in the field of culture and science. The award was given to Prof. DSc Diana Petkova for her significant services to education and science and for her overall contribution to the development of science and the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria.
In his address, the Head of State stressed that the ceremony was an expression of our society’s recognition of the dedication, spiritual strength and professionalism of the honorees and their respectable example. “You have proved that merging talent, dedication, will and courage for the sake of the common good and uplift inevitably wins well-deserved recognition,” Rumen Radev said.
Prof. Prof. Diana Petkova expressed her gratitude for the honour and noted that she would continue to work in this direction – to glorify science and culture of Bulgaria.
The ceremony which took place in the Coat of Arms Hall of the Presidency was also attended by the Vice President of BAS Corr. Member Stefan Hadjitodorov.
The main scientific achievements of Prof. Diana Petkova are in the field of biochemistry and biophysics of cell membranes. Research in this field has helped to elucidate the molecular mechanism of a number of socially significant diseases such as raised cholesterolemia, strokes and sudden heart attacks. Lipid nanoparticles created in her research can be used to target the accumulation of specific therapeutics for the treatment of some difficult-to-treat lung diseases.
More about Prof. Petkova see here.
