Chief Asst. Prof. Elena Zheleva, PhD

Biography:

Chief Assistant Professor Elena Ilieva Zheleva, PT MSc, PhD, was born on June 30, 1986, in Sofia. She completed her primary education at 22nd Secondary School "G.S. Rakovski" with a focus on "Biology and Health Education." In 2009, she graduated from the National Sports Academy (NSA) "Vasil Levski" with a Bachelor's degree in "Kinesitherapy." In 2010, she completed a Master's degree in "Kinesitherapy," specializing in "Kinesitherapy for Musculoskeletal Dysfunctions." In 2012, she graduated from the Medical University of Sofia with a Master's degree in "Medical Rehabilitation and Ergotherapy," specializing in "Medical Rehabilitation for Neurological Diseases."

Her academic career began in 2010 as a part-time assistant at NSA "Vasil Levski" in Sofia, within the Department of "Theory and Methodology of Kinesitherapy." In 2012, after winning a competitive selection, she started working as a full-time assistant at the Medical University of Sofia, in the Department of "Medical Rehabilitation and Ergotherapy." In 2015, she transferred to the Department of "Kinesitherapy" at the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, DMSc" at the Medical University of Sofia. 

In 2022, she obtained a Master's degree in "Public Health and Health Management" at the Faculty of Public Health at the Medical University of Sofia. In 2023, she earned a PhD in "Physiotherapy" from NSA "Vasil Levski" in Sofia. In 2024, she completed another Master's degree in "Adapted Physical Activity and Sports for People with Disabilities" at NSA "Vasil Levski" in Sofia. In the same year, after winning a competitive selection, she was appointed to the academic position of "Chief Assistant Professor." She has over 15 years of professional experience as a physiotherapist.

Publications and scientific interests:

She is the author of numerous publications in national and international journals, including impact factor journals. She has participated in various national and international congresses and conferences, as well as in different projects under the Medical University of Sofia and the Erasmus+ program. She has completed multiple specialized courses, including PNF Concept, Mulligan Concept, Thera-Band, McKenzie, Down Syndrome, Applied Kinesiology, Kinesio-Taping, Manual Mobilization, Physical Analgesia and Stimulation, Neurorehabilitation for CNS and PNS Diseases, Rare Diseases, ICF, Ergotherapy, Blind Football, Volleyball for People with Disabilities, LPG, Mindfulness, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, Thai Massage, Qi Gong, and others. 

Her professional interests focus on musculoskeletal dysfunctions, spinal injuries and diseases, as well as adapted kinesitherapy and physical activity for people with various disabilities.

Membership in organizations:

She is a member of the Bulgarian Physiotherapy Association, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, and the Bulgarian Scientific Society for Public Health. As of 2024, she is also a member of the editorial board of the professional and scientific journal "Physiotherapy."