Assoc. Daniela Popova, d

Biography:

Graduated in 1991 from the “Yordanka Filaretova” Medical College as a physical therapist. Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical therapy in 1998 from the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”, Sofia. In 2006 after a successful dissertation defense on the topic of “Physiotherapy after surgical treatment of anterior shoulder instability according to the Boychev method”, acquires a PhD in Theory and Methodology of Physical Education and Sports Training, (incl. Physiotherapy).

Worked from April 1991 to October 1992 at the National Specialized Hospital for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Ovcha Kupel, Sofia as a physiotherapist. Rehabilitates patients with neurological, orthopedic internal diseases.

Worked from October 1992 to January 2007 at Specialized Orthopedic University Hospital "Prof.B.Boychev"- Gorna Banya as a physiotherapist – applying physiotherapy on patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction, treated surgically or conservatively.

In 2007 at the "Neofit Rilski" SWU, Blagoevgrad, after successfully passing a competition, she acquired the scientific title of "associate professor" in "Theory and methodology of physical education and sports training (incl. physiotherapy)" and was appointed as a lector in the "Physiotherapy" department.

From 2020 she’s currently working as a lector at the "Physiotherapy" department at the "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov" at the Sofia Medical University. She was appointed after successfully passing a competition for the academic position of "associate professor" - Higher Education Department 7.0 Health and Sports, professional field 7.4 Public Health. From 2024 conducts practical training for the students at the National Specialized Hospital for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Ovcha Kupel, Sofia.

The educational activity of Assoc. Prof. Popova is in the field of her professional training and scientific interests. Her lecture workload includes teaching profiling disciplines in the bachelor's programs of the specialty "Physiotherapy" and in the master's program "Medical rehabilitation and balneology". She is the scientific supervisor of 5 doctoral students, all of whom have successfully defended their dissertations.

She is a member of authoritative scientific and professional organizations: Association of Physiotherapists in Bulgaria, where she is currently the Chairman of the Ethics Committee. She is a member of the Bulgarian Stroke Society. Leads and participates in expert groups at the National Association of Neurological Surgeons. Participates in scientific juries by preparing reviews and opinions for the acquisition of the PhD in professional field 7.4 Public Health, as well as in a number of competitions for the academic positions “senior assistant” and “associate professor”.

Publications and scientific interests: 

Her scientific interests are in the field of musculoskeletal dysfunctions, orthopedics and traumatology, neurology, pathokinesiology, Physiotherapy in surgery, Physiotherapy in obstetrics and gynecology, motivation and role of physiotherapy professionals, conflict management and training of students in the specialty "Physiotherapy".

Membership in organizations:

She is the author of the monographs: "Physiotherapy for musculoskeletal dysfunctions" and "Physiotherapy after soft tissue surgeries in the shoulder area" and is a co-author of the textbooks: "Introduction to Physiotherapy", "Physiotherapy for musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the lower extremities". She has scientific publications in Bulgarian and international journals and over 70 citations in specialized scientific Bulgarian and foreign publications. She participates in a number of national and international academic forums.