Draga Toncheva
Founder of Medical Genetics in Bulgaria
DRAGA is dedicated to Academician Draga Toncheva, the founder and lifelong champion of medical genetics and genomics in Bulgaria. Her vision, scientific rigor, and dedication to the Bulgarian genome made this database not only possible, but necessary.
Biography
Born July 23, 1950, Sofia. Graduated in Medicine, Medical University Sofia, 1974. Specialised at the Institute of Medical Genetics RAS (1977), International Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, Naples (1981), Northwick Park Hospital London and John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford UK (1985), and the Tokyo Human Genome Center (2006). Doctor of Medicine from 1978. Head of the Department of Medical Genetics, MU Sofia since 2000. Founder and Head of the National Genomic Center for Socially Significant Diseases since 2006. Corresponding Member of BAS 2014, full Academician of BAS since October 2021.
Scientific Legacy
Pioneer of medical genetics in Bulgaria
Joined the very first medical genetics circle as a student in 1973, only two years after the first Department of Medical Genetics was established in Bulgaria. Dedicated her entire career to building the field from the ground up.
Molecular genomics in clinical practice
Introduced molecular-genetic and genomic methods for diagnosing hereditary and socially significant diseases, transforming clinical practice across paediatrics, oncology, neurology, cardiology, and obstetrics.
Diagnostic infrastructure
Founded and led diagnostic laboratories including for prenatal diagnosis and oncogenetics, giving Bulgarian patients access to world-class genetic diagnostics for the first time.
Population genomics
Led landmark studies proving the genetic structure of modern Bulgarians is predominantly West Eurasian, covering mtDNA, Y-chromosome, and autosomal DNA of 800+ individuals across the country.
Ancient DNA and Bulgarian identity
Led studies of Bronze Age Thracians and Proto-Bulgarian archaeological material (8th-10th c. AD), revealing the deep genetic continuity of the Bulgarian people and disproving theories of Altaic or Turkic ancestry.
Disease genomics
Research spanning schizophrenia, ovarian and thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and longevity in Bulgarian centenarians, building the most comprehensive genetic picture of disease risk in Bulgaria.
A generation of scientists
Author of 300+ publications, 14 monographs, 3 international books and 22 textbooks. Supervised 40 PhD graduates and 54 diploma students, training the entire next generation of Bulgarian geneticists.
Awards & Honours
Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius — Necklace
Highest state distinction for outstanding contributions to medical science and education.
Full Academician, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
The highest academic distinction in Bulgaria, awarded for significant scientific achievements.
Corresponding Member, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Signum Laudis — Medical University Varna
National Prize Pitagor
National prize for distinguished scientist in biomedical science.
Honorary Plaque — Tokyo Medical and Dental University
For outstanding contribution to human genome research.
Leadership & International Recognition
“The Bulgarian genetic fund is homogeneous across the territory of the country.”
Acad. Toncheva, on the population genetics studies that form the scientific foundation of DRAGA