INVITATION
ANNIVERSARY SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
"30 YEARS OF FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH – SOFIA"
OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND HORIZONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
- Marinela Hotel, Sofia
- October 21 - 22, 2025
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Prof. Alexandrina Vodenitcharova, PhD,
Dean of the Faculty of Public Health – Sofia
Dear colleagues,
This year, our Faculty of Public Health celebrates its 30th anniversary.
I am pleased to invite you to participate in the Anniversary Scientific Conference "Opportunities, Challenges and Horizons for Public Health".
During all these years our Faculty has established itself as a leading educational and scientific centre thanks to the clear and far-sighted policy of the Management and
strong teamwork.
We live in a time of global change, in which innovations in the field of
medical education and in
health care help to improve the quality of teaching, research and clinical activities alongside the dehumanization of societies and deepening social inequalities.
I believe that this scientific conference will contribute to the exchange of interesting ideas and valuable experience, as well as create good opportunities for collaboration in research and practical activities.
We are waiting for you!
Be a part of the event celebrating 30 years of leadership and innovation at the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Tzecomir Vodenitcharov, MD, DSc"! Your participation in the Jubilee Scientific Conference "Opportunities, Challenges and Horizons for Public Health" will give you the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading experts, draw inspiration from the latest scientific advances and build valuable professional contacts. Join us to be part of the community that is shaping the future of public health - now is the time to contribute and grow with the best!
In the following lines you will learn more information about the renowned speakers, the topics of the plenary reports, and the student scientific session.
Why be part of the Jubilee Conference?
Learn more about renowned speakers
Prof. Bernard Merkel
Former European Commission's Head of the Health Strategy
Education
- BA in Politics and Political History (1970), University of Exeter, UK;
- MA (Econ) Government (1971), University of Manchester, UK;
- Research in political theory (1974), British Institute in Paris, France;
- Post-graduate research in political theory (1971-1975); PhD (1985), University of Reading
Professional experience
- European Commission ‘Active Senior’ scheme (2014-present);
- European Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate General: Senior Health Systems Policy Analyst (2013 – 2014); Head of Unit for Health Strategy and Health Systems (2005 - 2009);
- European External Action Service: Minister Counsellor in EU Delegation to the USA (2009 –2013);
- Head of Unit for Health Strategy (2003-2005);
- Head of Unit Policy Analysis & Development & International Questions DG SANCO (2001-2003);
- European Commission Directorate General DGV: Temporary Agent / Principal Administrator DGV/F (1996- 2001);
- London School of Economics: Research Fellow at London School of Economics on Secondment from UK Department of Health (1994-1996);
- European Commission Directorate General V:
- Detached National Expert Seconded from Department of Health DGV/F (1991-1994);
- Department of Health and Social Security: Assistant Secretary (1989 -1991), Principal Administrator (1980-1989);
- Private Secretary to the Secretary of State (1979-1980);
- Administrative Trainee (1975 -1979)
Prof. Carol Brayne
Professor Emeritus of Public Health Medicine, University of Cambridge Co-Chair Cambridge Public Health Interdisciplinary Centre, University of Cambridge (2020-2024)
Education
A medical practitioner by training, with higher training in epidemiology and public health. Her research has focused on brain health and ageing in population settings. She has been a leader for development and delivery of training in epidemiology and public health within Cambridge.
Academic and professional qualifications
- FRCP (2000);
- FFPH (1998);
- GMC Registration: European Specialist Register – Community Medicine/Public Health Medicine (1996);
- MD, London University (1991);
- MSc Epidemiology, London University (1985)
- MBBS, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine (now UCL), London University;
Positions occupied
- OHID Honorary Consultant;
- Honorary Public Health Consultant, Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation Trust (CPFT) and Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) (2001-2024) Visiting Professor CUHK Jockey School of Public Health (2013-2018);
- Associate Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) (2012-2024);
- Visiting Professor in Neuroepidemiology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne (2000-2008);
Awards and significant achievements
- Society Patron (2021-);
- National Platinum Merit Award (2020-24)
- Senior Investigator (two terms, now Emerita), National Institute Health Research (2012-2020, 2020-);
- Chair, RCP Advisory Group on Health Inequalities (2019-2025);
- Chair, Welcome Trust Population & Public Health Expert Review Group (2016-2018, member preceding chairing);
- Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Ambassador (2012-2021)
- Co-chair, Alzheimer’s Society Research Advisory Council (2011-2021)
Research areas and achievements
- Citations 245 857 (139 583 since 2000)
- h-index 178 (125 since 2000)
- https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zxuLRqcAAAAJ&hl=en
Prof. Levan Metreveli
Professor of Global Health, BAU International University Batumi, Georgia Founder and Co-Chair of Peer Review Association for MHEECA
Areas of competence
Public Health, Global Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, International Relations
Education
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), 1983-1989, Tbilisi State Medical Institute, Georgia
Institute of Experimental Morphology, Tbilisi, Georgia; - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 1989-1994
- Master of Public Health (MPH),
- Concentration: Global Health Leadership, 2005-2006, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Professional experience
- University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2021-present;
- Founder and Co-Chair of Peer Review Association for Medical and Health Education of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PRAMED), Sofia, Bulgaria, 2022-present
- Adjunct Professor of Public Health, Tbilisi State Medical University, 2013-2018;
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, 2008-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013
- Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Bulgaria;
- ber of Parliament of Georgia, 2004-2008;
- President of Georgian Public Health Association, 2001-2004;
- Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Tbilisi State Medical University, 1998-2004;
- Associate Professor at the Department of Anatomy, Tbilisi State Medical University, 1994-2002
The topics of the plenary reports
Prof. Bernard Merkel
Former European Commission's Head of the Health Strategy
Subject:
Поглед назад, поглед напред: Еволюцията на здравната политика на ЕС и вероятните бъдещи развития
Prof. Carol Brayne
Professor Emeritus of Public Health Medicine, University of Cambridge Co-Chair Cambridge Public Health Interdisciplinary Centre, University of Cambridge (2020-2024)
Subject:
Evidence, data and knowledge – reflections on creating the evidence base for public health policy and practice
Prof. Levan Metreveli
Professor of Global Health, BAU International University Batumi, Georgia Founder and Co-Chair of Peer Review Association for MHEECA
Subject:
Social marketing in health sector: challenges, successes and failures in the recent practice
Student scientific session
Jubilee scientific conference with international participation - 30 years of Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Tzecomir Vodenitcharov, MD, DSc": Opportunities, challenges and horizons for public health.
- October 21 - 22, 2025
- Hotel Marinela
- 1407 Sofia, 100 James Boucher Blvd.
- events@foz.mu-sofia.bg