Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBER-BAS) | Bulgaria
Prof. Dr. Peter Ivanov Hristov is a distinguished Bulgarian molecular biologist and biochemist whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of animal genetic diversity, molecular phylogeny, and population structure in domestic and wild species. Currently serving as a Professor at the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research (IBER) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, he has built a rigorous academic career grounded in molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, and biodiversity conservation. Prof. Hristov earned his Master’s degree from Trakia University in 1999, followed by a Ph.D. in 2005 from the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction at BAS. Over the past decade, he has progressed through academic ranks, serving as Chief Assistant (2010–2015), Associate Professor (2015–2021), and Professor (2021–present), reflecting his longstanding contributions to the field. His primary research areas include biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular phylogeny, population structure studies, and taxonomic research, complemented by strong expertise in bioinformatics and the statistical processing of molecular data. His involvement in international scientific collaborations includes participation in the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme—DeLiver Project (2007–2011)—demonstrating his engagement in large-scale, interdisciplinary research initiatives. Prof. Hristov’s scientific output is extensive and influential. He has authored 83 scientific publications, 59 of which appear in impact-factor or indexed journals, accumulating over 665 citations, with an h-index of 13 (Scopus). Remarkably, in the last five years alone, he has produced 40 publications, all in indexed journals, underscoring his active and consistent research productivity. His work spans genetic differentiation in livestock breeds, molecular detection of bee pathogens, mitochondrial DNA analyses, and phylogenetic exploration across various species. Key recent studies include genetic structure analysis of Bulgarian goat and horse breeds (Diversity, 2024), molecular pathogen detection in honey bees (Veterinary Sciences, 2023), and mitochondrial sequencing contributions revealing domestication centers in horse lineages (Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2022). His research also provides crucial insights into livestock conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and the application of molecular tools in animal breeding and health management. Prof. Hristov is widely recognized in the scientific community, publishing internationally under the name Peter Hristov and maintaining active research profiles on Scopus, ResearchGate, and ORCID. His work continues to bridge molecular science and biodiversity conservation, reinforcing his role as a leading figure in genetic research within Bulgaria and beyond.
Featured Publications
Radoslavov, G., Kalaydzhiev, G., Yordanov, G., Palova, N., Salkova, D., & Hristov, P. (2025). Genetic diversity of native Bulgarian sheep breeds based on the mitochondrial D-loop sequence analysis. Small Ruminant Research, 108, 107527.
Yordanov, G., Yordanov, T., Mehandjyiski, I., Radoslavov, G., Salkova, D., & Hristov, P. (2025). Population structure and genetic diversity among Shagya Arabian horse genealogical lineages in Bulgaria based on microsatellite genotyping. Veterinary Sciences, 12(8), 776.
Stoeva, D., Gencheva, D., Radoslavov, G., Hristov, P., Yordanova, R., & Beev, G. (2025). Novel DNA barcoding and multiplex PCR strategy for the molecular identification and mycotoxin gene detection of Fusarium spp. in maize from Bulgaria. Methods and Protocols, 8(4), 78.
Salkova, D., Balkanska, R., Shumkova, R., Lazarova, S., Radoslavov, G., & Hristov, P. (2024). Molecular detection and phylogenetic relationships of honey bee-associated viruses in bee products. Veterinary Sciences, 11(8), 369.
Yordanov, G., Kalaydzhiev, G., Palova, N., Salkova, D., Lozanova, L., Dundarova, H., Odjakova, T., Todorov, P., Radoslavov, G., & Hristov, P. (2024). Genetic differentiation and population structure of two Bulgarian local goat breeds using microsatellite markers. Diversity, 16(7), 388.
Hristov, P., Radoslavov, G., Mehandjyiski, I., Salkova, D., & Yordanov, G. (2024). Genetic diversity and population structure among Arabian horse genealogical lineages in Bulgaria. Diversity, 16(5), 281.
Kalaydzhiev, G., Palova, N., Dundarova, H., Lozanova, L., Mehandjyiski, I., Radoslavov, G., & Hristov, P. (2023). Mitochondrial diversity and phylogenetic relationship of eight native Bulgarian sheep breeds. Animals, 13(23), 3655.