Event 2024

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Prof. Tsvetan Chaprazov, PhD

Department of “Veterinary surgery”, VMF, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Prof. Tsvetan Chaprzov has proven experience in a number of scientific and professional fields such as exotic animal surgery and antibacterial therapy, exotic animal radiology, CT and MRI. His work is also related to veterinary surgery, orthopedics and implantology, veterinary dentistry and oral surgery, SIRS, MODS, Sepsis;

Contact information: tsvetan.chaprazov@trakia-uni.bg, tz_chaprazov@yahoo.com 

Assoc. Prof. Lora Koenhemsi, PhD

Faculty of Veterinary medicine in İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa

Has a particular interest in all topics related to internal medicine and extensive experience in clinical work with reptiles, with a focus on iguanas.

“Whether it's exploring complex cases, understanding disease mechanisms, or keeping up with the latest advancements in diagnostics and treatment, I'm passionate about every aspect of this field.”

Contact information: lorakoenhemsi@iuc.edu.tr

Dr. Ana Pešić 

Teaching Assistent and Research Trainee at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia 

Works at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. Work is mostly focused on small mammals, with special interest in internal medicine and dentistry. Has completed multiple externships at exotic animal clinics, as well as zoos, including those in Abu Dhabi, Lisbon and Moscow. Published multiple papers on small mammals and reptiles on topics ranging from pathological studies to welfare and behavior. 

“Working with my amazing colleagues inspires me to always look for better ways to approach every single case. I am passionate about owner education on proper husbandry practices, while also being interested in research regarding the consequences of inadequate husbandry on exotic pets. I am a proud owner of five cats and an ardent equestrian” 

Contact information: ana.pesic@vet.bg.ac.rs, WhatsApp: +381628827181

Dr. Slavko Nikolov, PhD

In 2017, he obtained his master's in "Veterinary Medicine" at the Trakia University in Stara Zagora. In 2024, he defended his doctoral degree in the scientific program "Animal Pathology". For the last 2 years, he has been working as a veterinarian in the city of Plovdiv. 

He is the author of 11 scientific publications, 6 of which are based on the topic of his dissertation. All of his publications are related to problems and diseases in wild and exotic bird species. He has been cited in over 20 research papers by other researchers. He has taken part in 14 international conferences and has been involved in 4 scientific projects. His scientific interests are related to wild bird pathology, ornithology - classification, systematics and taxonomy of the class: Aves.

“Since childhood, I have been engaged in the breeding and reproduction of decorative and exotic bird species.”

Contact information: slavko92@outlook.com

Dr. Milena Zlatarova

Veterinarian at “Zayvet”

Dr. Zlatarova has a master’s degree in veterinary medicine with a professional qualification “Parasitic disease of small animals”. Works with small animals, mostly rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. Her main interests are in the fields of internal medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery and parasitology.

“I love to challenge students and make them think out of the box.”

Contact information: milena_zlatarova@abv.bg

Dr. Atanaska Chacheva

Master’s in veterinary medicine from the University of Forestry, Sofia, 2021

Dr. Chacheva works at Central Veterinary Clinic, Sofia, where is focused on providing high-quality veterinary care for exotic animals, including diagnostics, treatment and preventive care. Her clinical interests are mainly in emergency medicine, exotic and small animal anesthesiology, exotic animal medicine (rodents, birds and reptiles) and internal medicine in cats and dogs. Member of VASTA (Veterinary Anesthesia School) completed the training program I – III Module 2023-2024, Romania - with a certificate from this academy for quality in Anesthesia for small and exotic animals with mentor Dr. Peter Kronen.

“My clinical interest in providing a quality approach and proper monitoring in the anesthesia of our exotic patients, dentistry in rodents as well as diseases and therapy of various types of exotic animals (reptiles, birds and small mammals). I try to keep abreast of global developments related to anesthesiology, emergency medicine and diagnostics by participating in professional congresses and seminars in different countries. I am also a proud owner of a pyrrhura molinae parrot, a mexican ambystoma, a labrador and a cat.”

Contact information: dr_chacheva@abv.bg

Dr. Yoan Slavchev

Veterinarian, National Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Slavchev’s areas of interest are epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, treatment and control of infectious disease and has a soft spot for exotic animals, especially birds. His interest is not only in domestic birds but also in the exotic avian species in captivity. Has experience in rehabilitation and treatment of different species of birds. In the recent years has gained experience in the rehabilitation of swifts, which as a species can be challenging to rehabilitate due to their specialized method of feeding and care.In his work he had the opportunity to work with many different species of exotic animals from lions to turtles.

“I have been keeping exotic animals for 22 years, owning multiple parrot species from sun conures to eclectus. I am also a certified FCI breeder of Pomeranians and Hungarian Vizsla. I am also a breeder of pedigree Oriental shorthaired cats under the prefix „Abstractus“

Contact information: ioan_66@abv.bg, Telephone: +359884789629

Vladimir Nikolov, M.Sc. degree in Geology and Paleontology

Assistant at the National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria. 

Vladimir is a vertebrate paleontologist whose scientific work involves the study of the bone histology of Bulgarian non-avian dinosaurs (sauropods and ornithopods) and Miocene mammals (hipparions, antelopes, and gazellas). He is also involved in the research of the Mesozoic vertebrate fauna of Bulgaria, including everything from fish and marine reptiles to dinosaurs. His main interests lie in the field of paleohistology and the paleontology of Mesozoic vertebrates, non-avian dinosaurs in particular. He is also actively popularizing science. The list of popular science forums he has presented to includes the Sofia Science Festival (2019, 2023–2024), the European Researchers’ Night (2018–2020), the European Night of the Museums (2023–2024), Ratio (2020–2021; 2024), and Paleofest – Burgas (2024). Vladimir has given lectures designed for a wide audience of non-specialists and has mentored numerous paleoart workshops in Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Asenovgrad, and Karnobat. Vladimir Nikolov is author and illustrator of the pop-science book ‘The Song of the Titans: A Story about Dinosaur’, which tell the story of the third expedition to the dinosaur fossil site near the town of Tran, Western Bulgaria. 

“Besides being a paleontologist, I am also a paleoartist. Paleoartists are artists who create scientifically informed reconstructions of fossil organisms and their natural environment. I have participated in art exhibitions in Bulgaria and the USA. My artworks have appeared in museum exhibits, magazines, books, and the scientific literature” 

Contact information: vnikolovpaleo@gmail.com

Kiril Valkanov

Affiliated in the Center for Biomechanical and Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Shumen

Kiril Valkanov has obtained a B.Sc. in science and education in Biology and English from Sofia University “St. ’Kliment Ohridski’’ and a M.Sc. in Molecular biology (Human and animal physiology). His interests are generally in the field of zootoxicology, ecotoxicology, drug discovery and general morphology. He is passionate about exploring the world around us and analyzing the threats that modern day problems have on our health and environment. Author of M.Sc. Thesis entitled ‘’Salivary alpha amylase as a potential clinical marker for depression’’. . Author of several scientific publications.

“I have over 10 years of experience working with venomous animals (Reptilia:Serpentes). I am interested in the mechanisms that animal toxins interact with different physiological processes including therapeutic potential of certain toxins”

Contact information: kirilvalkanov55@gmail.com

Marko Ivanov

Herpetologica Ltd – Manager, Freelance researcher in biology and ecology

Marko Ivanov, master "Protection and Management of Ecosystems", has been raising, breeding and studying reptiles for over 25 years. He has always been interested in questions related to the biological and ecological characteristics of snakes, their interaction with the environment and the influences it has on them. For the past few years, he has been dealing with hybridizations in the genus Vipera. He is currently working on the hybridization of V. a. ammodytes x V. a. transcaucasiana. He has co-authored several popular science articles on the effective viper and viper bites; the ways and methods of raising and breeding snakes in captivity and why it is necessary to study this group of animals under controlled conditions.

“In 2016/2017, my partner Kiril Valkanov and I created the "ЗмиярникЪ" project. The idea is to organize terrarium expositions with live reptiles in an understandable and attractive way to tell the general public about the mysterious world of snakes. In the meantime, we have managed to build and equip our own research and breeding facility where we can work as freelance researchers.”

Contact information: marco.ivanov@gmail.com

Rostislav Trayanov

Мaster degree in hydrobiology

Rostislav Trayanov graduated in "Hydrobiology and Water Conservation" at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Sofia. In 1998 he opened Terrarium Varna and managed it for 10 years. He is known among exotic animal lovers for his passion for Giant African snails. Rostislav is the founder of the specialized project "ОХЛЮВАРНИКъ", through which he presents the Giant African snails to the general public.

"I breed different species of snails in artificial conditions and work on their selective breeding and tracing pure lines"

Contact information: zoo.exotic@gmail.com

Marios Koufasimis

Veterinary Medicine student at University of Forestry, Sofia

Marios is a veterinary medicine student at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University of Forestry in Sofia, he is a wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator with a passion for exotic species and their conservation. He has experience with birds and reptiles since he is a falconer and a reptile keeper.

“Being a wildlife veterinarian has been my dream since I was a kid. I’ve always loved wild animals and the beauty of nature, but more than that, I’ve been passionate about their conservation and the rehabilitation of those in need. The idea of helping these incredible creatures return to their natural world drives me, and it’s a path I’ve been determined to follow. “

Contact information: makoskoufas@gmail.com