Prof. Mekenyen from Burgas among the Most Influential Scientists in the World

Prof. Dr. H. Sc. Hovhannes Mekenyan, head of the Laboratory of Mathematical Chemistry at Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov", is among the most influential scientists in the world. He is included in this year's Stanford ranking, which evaluated over 11 million researchers. Prof. Mekenyan is part of the prestigious Top 2% of scientists who have demonstrated high publication activity and a significant number of citations.

The ranking, prepared by the team of Prof. John P. A. Ioannidis from Stanford University, uses data from Scopus (Elsevier) and bibliometric indicators to identify the scientists with the greatest impact on world science. It covers the top 2% of scientists in 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields. The assessment is based on standardized citation information, excluding self-citations. Other indicators are also included, such as the H-index, Hm-index, adjusted for co-authorship, as well as citations of articles in different authorship positions. The ranking is divided into two categories: for 2024 and for overall career development.

The laboratory, headed by Prof. Hovhannes Mekenyan, brings together forty specialists working in the field of modeling toxicological and environmental effects using QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) methods. They use mathematical models to predict the physicochemical and biological reactions of various substances.

For his significant contribution to science, Prof. Hovhannes Mekenyan has been awarded several prestigious awards. In 2021, he received the QSAR Life Achievement Award from the World Association, recognition for his overall contribution to the field of molecular modeling of toxic effects. In addition, the professor was awarded the title of "Doctor honoris causa" of Burgas State University.

This year, 91 Bulgarian scientists are included in the Stanford ranking. The presence of a representative of the academic staff of Burgas State University in this list underlines the high level of scientific activity developed in the higher education institution. This is a testament to the university's ongoing efforts to support and encourage scientific research.