Education:
Master of Science in Molecular Biology with specialization in Microbiology – Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 2002
Acquired scientific degrees and academic positions:
Educational and scientific degree "Doctor" in scientific specialty: 03.01.24 "Pharmacology (incl. pharmacokinetics and chemotherapy)", Institute of Neurobiology – BAS – 2007
Academic position "Associate Professor" – 2015
Areas of professional interest:
Biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrigenomics, functional foods and nutraceuticals
Membership in scientific organizations:
Union of Scientists in Bulgaria - Section of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics.
European Association of Nutrigenomics – NuGO
Association of Biochemical Departments in Bulgaria
Specializations:
Specialization in Biochemistry under Regulation 34/2006 for the acquisition of a specialty in the healthcare system – 2016
Scientific and research activity
Studies on the biological activity of Bulgarian medicinal plants, based on data from folk medicine and traditional nutrition:
- antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects of extracts from Bulgarian medicinal plants on models of oxidative stress and inflammation in cell cultures and experimental animals
- effect of extracts from Bulgarian medicinal plants on markers of oxidative status, inflammation and lipid profile in humans
Identification of biologically active substances as candidates for new drugs:
- biological activity of plant polyphenols with estrogen-like action
- study of the biological effects of hexapeptides, analogues of nococeptin
- identification of protease inhibitors synthesized by microorganisms
Study of the effect of sulfur-containing mineral waters on the human metabolism:
- interventional study on healthy volunteers on the effect of prolonged water intake on classical biochemical parameters and on markers of antioxidant protection
- study of the effect of sulfur-containing mineral waters on the activity of enzymes involved in the processes of sulfation in human intestinal cells
- comparative study of the biological activity of different dietary sources of sulfur on human intestinal cells – sulfur-containing mineral water, sulforaphane from broccoli, allicin from garlic and taurine
Participation in contracts, projects, programs
Project No. 24007 "Biomarkers for the assessment of inflammatory response, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in patients with acute ischemic stroke - effect of restorative therapy with a nutritional supplement containing citicoline and plant extracts", funded by the Science Fund at MU-Varna. Project leader, implementation period 2024-2026
Project No. 24008 "Biological effects of Varna sulfur-containing mineral water in an experimental model of compromised intestinal health", funded by the Science Fund at MU-Varna. Project leader, implementation period 2024-2025
BG-RRP-2.004-0009-C02 “Medical University - Varna: Enhancing Translational Excellence in Medicine (MUVE-TEAM), NextGeneration Program of the European Union, National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Bulgaria under the procedure for “Establishing a Network of Research Universities in Bulgaria", Scientific Group 3.1.1 Natura4Health, work package leader, implementation period 2022-2026.
Project No. 21015 “Molecular mechanisms of action of cytodeox: new data in support of neuroprotective and antioxidant effects", funded by the Science Fund at the Medical University of Varna – leader, implementation period 2022-2025.
Project No. 22003 “Comparative study of the biological effects of natural dietary sources of sulfur on human intestinal cells", role in the project – leader, implementation period 2022-2024.
2018-2021 "Investigation of adaptogenic potential of Sambucus ebulus fruits with a view to their use as a functional food", role in the project - work package leader, researcher
Contract No. DN01-12/16.12.2016 "Study of the molecular mechanisms of action of sulfur-containing mineral waters from the Varna basin on human metabolism with a view to their use as a medicinal beverage", funded by the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science, head Prof. Diana Ivanova, implementation period 2017-2018
Contract No. DN13-9/15.12.2017 "Cyanoprokaryotes - a new potential risk factor for malignant diseases in Bulgaria?", funded by the Scientific Research Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science, implementation period 2018-2020.
GA No. 289511 "NUTRITECH - Application of New Technologies and Methods in Nutrition Research - The Example of Phenotypic Flexibility", funded by the 7th FP of the European Commission, role in the project assistant to the coordinator, implementation period 2012-1016.
Project No. 17015 "Study of the effects of sulfur-containing mineral waters on sulfur metabolism in humans", funded by the Science Fund at the Medical University of Varna, Contract FMN-42/18.12.2017 - Manager, implementation period 2018-2020
Expert activity:
Member of the “Commission for Risk Assessment in Pharmacovigilance Monitoring", Bulgarian Drug Agency at the Ministry of Health
Trainings and courses:
“Mendelian randomisation: how to use in nutrition", NuGO Webinar, 19.03.2025
“Precision nutrition applied to female reproductive health", NuGO Webinar, 26.11.2024
“Opportunities and challenges with digital health data collection and usage", NuGO Webinar, 15.11.2024
Research Workshop “Computational and Experimental Systems Medicine", organizers Vessela Kristensen, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway and Prof. Anton Tonchev, Director of the Research Institute at MU – Varna, held on 12.06.2024
Course on Innovative Educational Technologies held within the framework of the National Program "Digital Qualification" of the Ministry of Education and Science, May 13-24, 2024.
"Digital Skills" - Training within the framework of Project No. BG05M2OP001-2.016-0025 "Creating a multidisciplinary educational environment for the development of personnel with integral competencies in the field of biomedicine and healthcare", OP "Science and Education for Smart Growth" 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund, training period July - August 2022, Medical University-Varna
"Introduction to Technology Transfer and Copyright Protection", training period December 15-16, 2022, Medical University-Varna
Open Access
Scientific publications
Monographs:
Nashar M. Medicinal plants in the fight against diabetes - scientific foundations of the Bulgarian tradition. Antida Publishing House 2015, 123 p., ISBN 978-619-7137-62-0
Textbooks and teaching aids:
Nashar M, Ivanova D, Galunska B, Kiselova-Kaneva Y, Vankova D, Pasheva M, Nikolova M, Nazifova-Tasinova N. Tasks and practical exercises in biochemistry. Handbook for pharmacy students. Third revised and supplemented edition. Medical University - Varna 2021, ISBN 978-619-221-351-0
Ivanova D., Kiselova-Kaneva Y., Galunska B., Nashar M., Vankova D. A handbook of biochemistry for medical students. Review study questions and laboratory manuals-a clinical approach. Second edition. Medical University of Varna 2021, ISBN 978-619-221-352-7
Radanova M, Nashar M, Mihaylova G, Tasinov O. Tasks and practical exercises in biochemistry. Manual for students of kinesitherapy. First edition. Medical University - Varna 2021, ISBN 978-619-221-350-3
Ivanova D., Galunska B., Nashar M., Radanova M., Kiselova-Kaneva Y. Tasks and practical exercises in biochemistry. Manual for students of medicine. Second revised and supplemented edition, Publishing House Medical University - Varna, 2020, ISBN 978-619-221-284-1
