Prof. Vania Youroukova at Medical University Sofia, Bulgaria
Prof. Dr. Vania Milocheva Youroukova is a distinguished Bulgarian pulmonologist and academic with an exceptional career spanning over three decades. Since 1987, she has served at the Medical University of Sofia, rising from assistant professor to full professor in Pulmonology and Phthisiology. Her leadership at prestigious institutions like MBALBB “St. Sofia” and UMBAL “St. Iv. Rilski” underscores her commitment to clinical excellence and medical administration. Her roles as Deputy Executive Director, Chair of numerous medical commissions, and National Consultant reflect her deep involvement in public health and respiratory care. Fluent in both clinical practice and academic mentorship, she has guided doctoral research, trained specialists, and contributed actively to medical curricula in both Bulgarian and English. Her extensive contributions have positioned her as a leading voice in pulmonology, both nationally and internationally. 🌐🎓🫁
Professional Profile
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Education 🎓📚
Prof. Youroukova embarked on her medical journey at the Medical University of Sofia, where she earned her medical diploma in 1986. She pursued further specialization in internal medicine (1992) and pneumology and phthisiology (1995). Her thirst for knowledge led her to complete a doctoral degree in medicine in 2003, followed by a Master’s in Public Health and Health Management in 2009. Her international experience includes fellowships and specializations at world-renowned institutions in Italy such as the University of Pavia and the Istituto Gaslini of Genoa, through ERS and CICOPS programs. These global exposures enriched her academic and professional outlook. Her educational journey is marked by a consistent pursuit of academic rigor and interdisciplinary learning, blending clinical medicine, public health, and international collaboration seamlessly. 📖🌏🩻
Professional Experience 🏥🔬
Prof. Youroukova’s career is a testament to lifelong dedication to respiratory medicine. From her early role as an assistant professor to her current position as a Professor of Pulmonology and Phthisiology, she has combined academic excellence with high-level hospital management. She has held leadership roles including Deputy Executive Director at MBALBB “St. Sofia” and Professor at UMBAL “St. Iv. Rilski.” She has chaired multiple commissions related to asthma, fibrosis, drug policy, and medical ethics, contributing to Bulgaria’s national respiratory care standards. Her clinical work is backed by administrative acumen, coordinating hospital policies, insurance liaisons, and interdepartmental operations. A revered educator, she teaches both Bulgarian and international students and mentors PhD candidates and specialists. Her enduring influence on medical education and policy places her at the apex of Bulgarian respiratory medicine. 🏅🫀📊
Research Interests and Projects 🔍📈
Prof. Youroukova’s research focuses on complex lung diseases, with particular interest in severe asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and systemic fibrotic conditions. She has supervised eight scientific projects, three as principal investigator, and mentored multiple doctoral and postgraduate theses. Her clinical investigations are aligned with advancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in pulmonology. She actively contributes to research publications and editorial boards, including MEDINFO and Medical Magazine. Her integration of clinical experience with academic exploration drives innovation in pulmonary diagnostics and management. Her research often intersects with public health, reinforcing her multidisciplinary approach to respiratory diseases. Her voice is prominent in shaping evidence-based practices in Bulgaria and beyond. 📄🧬📊
Awards and Honors 🏆🎖️
Prof. Youroukova is highly decorated for her leadership and academic achievements. She has been entrusted with prestigious responsibilities, such as being a member of the National Commission for specialization in Pulmonology and Phthisiology, a Republican Consultant, and Chairman of multiple national committees on drug policy and treatment of severe lung diseases. She was selected for elite programs like the ERS Fellowship and CICOPS Fellowship in Italy—acknowledgments of her international standing in respiratory medicine. Her professional stature has earned her a place on the board of the Bulgarian Society of Pulmonary Medicine and the editorial boards of leading Bulgarian medical journals. These accolades reflect her unparalleled contributions to medical science, education, and health governance in Bulgaria. 🎓🇧🇬🧪
Publications Top Notes
1. Autonomic Dysfunction and Low Cardio-Respiratory Fitness in Long-Term Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
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Authors: Radostina Cherneva, Zheyna Cherneva, Vania Youroukova, Tanya Kadiyska, Dinko Valev, Ebru Hayrula-Manaf, Vanyo Mitev
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Year: 2025
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Source: Biomedicines, 13(5):1138
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DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13051138
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Summary: This study investigates the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction—specifically chronotropic insufficiency and abnormal heart rate recovery—in individuals with long-term post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). The findings suggest that autonomic dysfunction significantly contributes to reduced cardio-respiratory fitness in PCS patients, highlighting the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies.
2. Cardio-Respiratory Fitness and Fatigue in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome—A Three-Year Update
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Authors: Radostina Cherneva, Zheyna Cherneva, Vania Youroukova, Tanya Kadiyska, Dinko Valev, Ebru Hayrula-Manaf, Vanyo Mitev
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Year: 2025
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Source: Biomedicines, 13(5):1097
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DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13051097
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Summary: This research explores the persistence of fatigue and reduced physical activity in PCS patients over a three-year period. Utilizing fatigue severity scores and cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET), the study establishes a correlation between prolonged fatigue and diminished cardio-respiratory fitness, emphasizing the chronic nature of PCS symptoms.
3. High-dose Probiotic Mix to Prevent Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea in Adults: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial (SPAADA)
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Authors: Vladimir Hodzhev, et al.
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Year: 2024
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Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 11(11):ofae615
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DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae615
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Summary: The SPAADA trial assesses the efficacy of a high-dose probiotic mix—including Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Bacillus coagulans, and Saccharomyces boulardii—in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrates that the probiotic mix significantly reduces the incidence and duration of AAD, suggesting its potential as a preventive strategy.
4. Decoding Microbiome Dysbiosis Through Metagenomic Alpha Diversity: Implications for Sarcoidosis Etiology
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Authors: Yordan Hodzhev, Borislava Tsafarova, Vladimir Tolchkov
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Year: 2024
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Source: PROBLEMS of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 51(3):33-40
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DOI: 10.58395/fmx7px98
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Summary: This study employs metagenomic alpha diversity analysis to investigate microbiome dysbiosis in sarcoidosis patients. The findings reveal significant alterations in microbial diversity, suggesting a potential link between microbiome imbalances and the etiology of sarcoidosis, and highlighting the importance of microbial analysis in understanding this complex disease.
5. Advanced Glycated End-products, Renin-Angiotensin System, and SARS-CoV-2 Severity
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Authors: Radostina V. Cherneva, Vania M. Youroukova, Dinko Valev, Fatma Karafaiz, Zheina V. Cherneva
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Year: 2023
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Source: Gazzetta Medica Italiana – Archivio per le Scienze Mediche, 182(6):365-370
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DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.22.04960-9
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Summary: This article explores the interplay between advanced glycated end-products (AGEs), the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors suggest that elevated AGEs and dysregulated RAS may exacerbate COVID-19 severity, proposing these pathways as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
6. Visualization of the Individual Blood Microbiome to Study the Etiology of Sarcoidosis
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Authors: Not specified
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Year: 2023
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Source: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 21:699-708
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DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.10.027
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Summary: This study utilizes advanced computational methods to visualize the blood microbiome at an individual level in sarcoidosis patients. The research identifies unique microbial signatures, providing insights into the potential role of the blood microbiome in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.
7. Vitamin D Biological Activity Index in COVID-19: Current Concept and Future Challenges
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Authors: Zheina V. Cherneva, Vania M. Youroukova, Radostina V. Cherneva
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Year: 2023
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Source: Gazzetta Medica Italiana – Archivio per le Scienze Mediche, 182(7):444-448
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DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.22.04961-0
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Summary: This article discusses the role of vitamin D in modulating immune responses during COVID-19. The authors propose a Vitamin D Biological Activity Index to assess the efficacy of vitamin D in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes and highlight the need for further research to validate this index.
8. Dynamic Hyperinflation, Chronotropic Intolerance, and Abnormal Heart Rate Recovery in Non-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients—Reflections in the Mirror
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Authors: Radostina V. Cherneva, Vania M. Youroukova, Zheina V. Cherneva
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Year: 2022
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Source: Pulmonology, 28(6):440-448
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DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2020.12.004
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Summary: This study examines the presence of dynamic hyperinflation, chronotropic intolerance, and abnormal heart rate recovery in patients with non-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings indicate that these cardiovascular abnormalities are prevalent even in early stages of COPD, suggesting the need for comprehensive cardiovascular assessment in these patients.
9. Negative Results for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Cutibacterium Acnes in Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples from Patients with Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis
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Authors: Vania Youroukova
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Year: 2022
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Source: General Medicine
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Summary: This article reports on the absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cutibacterium acnes in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from patients diagnosed with tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. The negative findings suggest that these pathogens may not be directly involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, prompting further investigation into alternative etiological factors.
10. Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis – In Search of Answers in Follow-up and Treatment
Conclusion 🌟📝
Prof. Dr. Vania Milocheva Youroukova embodies the ideal fusion of academic rigor, clinical mastery, and policy leadership in the realm of pulmonary medicine. With a foundation rooted in the Medical University of Sofia and an impressive portfolio of national and international roles, she has redefined the standards of lung disease management in Bulgaria. Her influence spans medical education, hospital governance, and public health innovation. Her commitment to mentorship, patient-centered care, and evidence-based practice continues to shape future generations of pulmonologists. As a trailblazer in respiratory health, Prof. Youroukova remains a cornerstone of academic medicine and clinical excellence. 🌈🫁📘