CPSBB Researchers Recognized Worldwide for Their Scientific Impact
Three CPSBB scientists included in the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists ranking

Prof. Dr. Tsanko Gechev, Prof. Dr. Milen Georgiev, and Dr. Saleh Alseekh, researchers at the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) in Plovdiv, have been included in the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists ranking for 2026. This international recognition reflects the significant scientific impact of their research, assessed through publication citations and a comprehensive set of bibliometric indicators.

This year’s edition of the ranking covers researchers from 184 countries and was developed under the leadership of Prof. John Ioannidis of Stanford University, in collaboration with Elsevier, using data from the international scientific database Scopus. The ranking comprises two categories: career-long scientific impact (Career-long impact) and impact during the most recent reporting calendar year (Single-year impact).

102 researchers affiliated with Bulgarian institutions, representing 43 scientific and academic organizations, have been recognized in this year’s prestigious ranking. Together, they strengthen Bulgaria’s position in the global research landscape, enhance the international visibility of Bulgarian scientific achievements, and demonstrate that world-class research is being conducted in Bulgaria.

Prof. Dr. Tsanko Gechev is the Director of CPSBB, Head of the Department of Molecular Stress Physiology at the Center, and a lecturer in Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics at the Faculty of Biology of Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress, as well as the development of innovative biostimulants and priming technologies to improve the resilience and quality of agricultural crops under the challenges posed by global climate change. He is a recipient of the 2017 Pythagoras Award, presented by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.

Prof. Dr. Milen Georgiev is Head of the Department of Plant Cell Biotechnology at CPSBB and Head of the Metabolomics Laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on the investigation of bioactive natural compounds and their potential applications in modulating biological processes associated with aging and longevity, obesity, metabolic disorders, and photoaging. He is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Pythagoras Award for scientific achievements, presented by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.

Dr. Saleh Alseekh is Head of the Department of Crop Quantitative Genetics at CPSBB, established in 2023 under the European NatGenCrop project. Prior to joining the Center, he pursued his scientific career at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Germany. His research integrates genomics, quantitative genetics, and metabolomics to uncover the genetic factors determining crop productivity, nutritional quality, and resilience.