Milena Ignatova | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Milena Ignatova | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Science | Bulgaria

Prof. Milena Ignatova is a distinguished researcher at the Laboratory of Bioactive Polymers, Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IP-BAS). Her prolific scientific career is reflected through 56 publications, cited 2,615 times by 2,070 documents, with an impressive h-index of 27. Her work primarily focuses on the design and synthesis of functional polymer materials derived from renewable and biodegradable sources. She has made remarkable contributions in developing electrospun nanofibrous and hybrid polymer materials with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Prof. Ignatova has played a leading role in national and international research projects, including one as a principal investigator funded by the National Science Fund. Her research integrates polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedical applications to create multifunctional materials with potential uses in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Her studies on chitosan-, polylactide-, and poly(vinyl alcohol)-based electrospun fibers incorporating bioactive compounds such as rosmarinic acid and lidocaine have advanced the field of bioactive and smart materials. Through continuous innovation and international collaboration, Prof. Ignatova has established herself as a leading figure in polymer science, significantly contributing to the advancement of sustainable and biomedical polymer technologies.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ignatova, M., Paneva, D., Kyuchyuk, S., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Mourdjeva, M., & Markova, N. (2025). Multifunctional electrospun materials from poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan and polylactide incorporating rosmarinic acid and lidocaine with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Polymers, 17(19), 2657.

Anastasova, I., Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Markova, N., Toshkova, R., Georgieva, A., Kamenova-Nacheva, M., Trendafilova, A., & Ivanova, V. (2024). Chitosan/hyaluronate complex-coated electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) materials containing extracts from Melissa officinalis and/or Hypericum perforatum with various biological activities: Antioxidant, antibacterial and in vitro anticancer effects. Polymers, 16(15), 2105.

Anastasova, I., Tsekova, P., Ignatova, M., & Stoilova, O. (2024). Imparting photocatalytic and antioxidant properties to electrospun poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) materials. Polymers, 16(13), 1814.

Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Georgieva, A., Toshkova, R., & Markova, N. (2023). 5-Amino-8-hydroxyquinoline-containing electrospun materials based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and carboxymethyl cellulose and their Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complexes with diverse biological properties: Antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer. Polymers, 15(14), 3140.

Spasova, M., Stoyanova, N., Nachev, N., Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Georgieva, A., Toshkova, R., & Markova, N. (2023). Innovative fibrous materials loaded with 5-nitro-8-hydroxyquinoline via electrospinning/electrospraying demonstrate antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Antioxidants, 12(6), 1243.

Ignatova, M., Anastasova, I., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Markova, N., Kukeva, R., Stoyanova, R., Georgieva, A., & Toshkova, R. (2022). Bio-based electrospun fibers from chitosan Schiff base and polylactide and their Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complexes: Preparation and antibacterial and anticancer activities. Polymers, 14(22), 5002.

Ignatova, M., Nachev, N., Spasova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., & Naydenov, M. (2022). Electrospun 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (clioquinol)-containing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/polyvinylpyrrolidone antifungal materials prospective as active dressings against Esca. Polymers, 14(3), 367.

Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Markova, N., Kukeva, R., Stoyanova, R., Georgieva, A., & Toshkova, R. (2021). 8-Hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid-containing poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan electrospun materials and their Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complexes: Preparation, antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor activities. Polymers, 13(16), 2690.

Ignatova, M., Stoyanova, N., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Kukeva, R., Stoyanova, R., Toshkova, R., & Georgieva, A. (2020). Electrospun materials from polylactide and Schiff base derivative of Jeffamine ED® and 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde and its complex with Cu²⁺: Preparation, antioxidant and antitumor activities. Materials Science and Engineering C, 111, 111185.

Stoyanova, N., Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., Toshkova, R., & Georgieva, A. (2020). Nanoparticles based on complex of berberine chloride and polymethacrylic or polyacrylic acid with antioxidant and in vitro antitumor activities. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 119, 119426.

Ignatova, M., Manolova, N., Rashkov, I., & Markova, N. (2018). Antibacterial and antioxidant electrospun materials from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and polyvinylpyrrolidone containing caffeic acid phenethyl ester: “In” and “on” strategies for enhanced solubility. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 548, 13–25.

Xin Wang | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xin Wang | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Zhengzhou University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xin Wang is an accomplished researcher in the field of chemistry and nanomaterials, with a strong focus on advanced energy storage and conversion systems. His research spans lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries, metal-air batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrocatalysis, CO₂ reduction, and solar cells. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the controllable synthesis of alloy-based nanomaterials, the development of high-entropy alloys, and the application of innovative catalysts for electrochemical CO₂ conversion and energy storage. His academic output is substantial, with 52 documents published, garnering 4,164 citations overall (3,400 since 2020), reflecting his consistent influence in the scientific community. He holds an h-index of 32 (30 since 2020) and an i10-index of 52, showcasing both the depth and breadth of his impactful work. His publications in high-impact journals, including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Functional Materials, and Journal of Materials Chemistry A, underscore his role as a leading scientist in sustainable energy research. Recognized with multiple awards, fellowships, and competitive research grants, he continues to drive innovation in nanomaterials, electrocatalysis, and green energy technologies, shaping future directions in electrochemistry and materials science.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Cai, M., Dong, Y., Xie, M., Dong, W., Dong, C., Dai, P., Zhang, H., Wang, X., Sun, X., Zhang, S., Yoon, M., Xu, H., Ge, Y., Li, J., & Huang, F. (2023). Stalling oxygen evolution in high-voltage cathodes by lanthurization. Nature Energy, 8(2), 159–168.

Fan, H., Si, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhu, F., Wang, X., & Fu, Y. (2024). Grapevine-like high entropy oxide composites boost high performance lithium sulfur batteries as bifunctional interlayers. Green Energy & Environment, 9(3), 565–572.

Wang, X., Miao, M., Tang, B., Duan, H., Zhu, F., Zhang, H., Zhang, X., Yin, W., & Fu, Y. (2023). Chlorine-induced mixed valence of CuOx/C to promote the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene. Nano Research, 16(20), 8827–8835.

Zhang, Y., Yu, Q., Wang, X., & Guo, W. (2023). Conversion of nitrogenous small molecules into value-added chemicals by building N–C bonds. Chemical Engineering Journal, 474, 145899.

Chai, D., Yan, H., Wang, X., Li, X., & Fu, Y. (2024). Retuning solvating ability of ether solvent by anion chemistry toward 4.5 V class Li metal battery. Advanced Functional Materials, 34(23), 2310516.

Yang, W., Xu, T., Fan, H., Yang, C., Sun, W., Ma, X., Wang, X., & Fu, Y. (2024). Selective and bifunctional catalytic electrochemical conversion of organosulfide molecule by high-entropy carbides. Advanced Functional Materials, 34(24), 2409450.

Wang, X., Li, W., Lv, X., & Broekmann, P. (2024). When chiral chemistry meets electrochemistry: A virgin land of an academic gold mine. Matter, 7(10), 2626–2788.

Cao, M., Li, W., Li, T., Zhu, F., & Wang, X. (2024). Polymetallic amorphous materials: Research progress in synthetic strategies and electrocatalytic applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 12(30), 15541–15557.

Cui, T., Xu, J., Wang, X., Liu, L., Xiang, Y., Zhu, H., Li, X., & Fu, Y. (2024). Highly reversible transition metal migration in superstructure-free Li-rich oxide boosting voltage stability and redox symmetry. Nature Communications, 15, 4742.

Duan, H., Li, W., Ran, L., Zhu, F., Li, T., Miao, M., Yin, W., Wang, X., & Fu, Y. (2024). In-situ electrochemical interface of Cu@Ag/C towards the ethylene electrosynthesis with adequate *CO supply. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 99, 292–299.

Ma, X., Zhang, Y., Yang, W., Liu, C., Wang, X., & Fu, Y. (2025). Defect-engineered NbSx as an efficient cathode host for high-performance Li–organosulfur batteries. ChemSusChem. Advance online publication. e202500983.

Cao, M., Miao, H., Li, J., Liu, C., Wang, X., & Fu, Y. (2025). Tailoring the ionomer type to optimize catalyst microenvironment for enhanced CO2 reduction in membrane electrode assembly. Carbon Energy. Advance online publication.