Research Group for Mathematical Modeling and Computer Sciences

RESEARCH GROUP FOR MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND COMPUTER SCIENCES

Ivan Simeonov, PhD, Associate Professor
Head of Research Group
Tel: (+359 2) 979-36-14
E-mail: issim@microbio.bas.bg

1948	Born January 28, Dermanzy, Lovech Region
1971	Diploma, Technical University of Sofia
1971-73	Training research in ESE and LGEP - Paris (France)
1981	Ph.D. in Automatic Control, Technical University of Sofia
1982	Assistant Professor, Central Laboratory of Bioautomation, BAS
1986	Associate Professor in CLBA
1990-94	Head of the Department Environmental engineering in CLBA
1994-Today	Head of the Research Group: Mathematical Modeling and Computer Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, BAS
Teaching:
1986-88	Faculty of Biology, Sofia University
1988-99	Faculty of Automatics, Technical University of Sofia
2000-01	Technical University of Gabrovo

Main Research Topics

Methods and algorithms for mathematical modeling, optimization and control of microbiological processes and systems. The main interest is related with the anaerobic digestion of organic waste in continuously stirred thank reactors (CSTR). Different approaches for stabilization and intensification of this very interesting (from ecological and energetical points of view) anaerobic microbiological process are developed and investigated. It is stressed on the mathematical approach for its modeling and optimization. Mathematical models for optimization of batch and fed-batch fermentation processes for the enzyme "superoxide dismutase"(SOD) production are also of current interest.
Videomicroscopy, image analysis and computer taxonomic scientific investigations. The scientific research is carried out in the following fields:
- computer videomicroscopy;
- videodensitometric genome analysis of microorganisms.

Most Important Achievements

Deterministic nonlinear mathematical models of the anaerobic digestion of organic waste in CSTR are developed and investigated. Mathematical models for optimization of batch and fed-batch fermentation processes for SOD production are in process of validation. New methodology for parameters estimation of nonlinear dynamic models via optimization methods is developed.
Sophisticated algorithms for control and optimization of the anaerobic digestion of organic waste in CSTR are developed and performed.
A computer method for videomicroscopic analysis of yeast cells and colonies is created. The computer videomicroscopic approach for obtaining of qualitative and quantitative data from different microobjects is developed for application in microbiological and ecological researches.
A computer system for videodensitometric analysis of microobjects is created accomplishing quantitative method for classification of microorganisms based on the analysis of their genome. A database is created for accumulation and saving of the information from the electrophoretic images.
Two PhD students and eleven graduating students from the Technical University of Sofia have prepared and graduated successfully their diploma theses in the scientific area of the group for the last five years.

Projects

National

Investigation, modeling and control of the methane fermentation of organic waste. Assoc.Prof. I.Simeonov Grant V RP- TH-7/1999 from the NCSR, Republic of Bulgaria.
Modeling, monitoring and control of the methane fermentation of organic waste. Assoc.Prof. I.Simeonov Grant TH-657/1996 from the NCSR, Republic of Bulgaria.
Modeling and optimization of the methane fermentation of complex mixtures of organic waste. Assoc.Prof. I.Simeonov Grant TH 1004/00 from the NCSR, Republic of Bulgaria.
A computer system for videodensitometric investigations of DNA structures of microorganisms. Research Scientist E.Chorukova Grant MU-I 09/98 from the NCSR, Republic of Bulgaria.

International

Modelind and control of biochemical processes for methane production from organic waste. Assoc.Prof. I.Simeonov BAS - CNRS (France), 1999- 2002.
Modeling, optimization and simulation of biotechnological processes. Assoc.Prof. I.Simeonov, BAS- University of Marseilles, 2000-2005.
Biogas-technologies for regenerative energy supply in Eastern Europe "Regenerate". Assoc.Prof. D.Galabova INCO-COPERNICUS project ICOP-DEMO 2023/96.
Isolation, structural characterization and medical application of SOD from a fungal strain. Assoc.Prof. M.Angelova NATO project No 973 968 (1999-2000).
Biotechnological production of Cu/Zn-Superoxide dismutase from filamentous fungi. Assoc.Prof. M.Angelova Grant No 436 Bul 113/112/0, DFG (Germany).

Scientific Collaborations

In the frame of "Stephan Angeloff" Institute of Microbiology
      Department of Microbial Biochemistry (Head Assoc.Prof.D.Galabova).
      Department of Mycology (Head Assoc.Prof.M.Angelova).
      Department of Microbial genetics (Head Assoc.Prof.V.Miteva).

National
      Department of Biomathematics, Institute for Mathematics and Informatics, BAS (Head Assoc. Prof. Sv.Markov);
      Department of Modeling and Optimization of Bioprocess Systems, Central Laboratory for Biomedical Research, BAS (Head Prof. St.Tzonkov);
      Department of Automatics and Informatics, Technical University of Gabrovo (Head Assoc. Prof. R.Radev).

International
      Laboratory for Analysis and Architecture of Systems-CNRS (Toulouse, France).
      University of Marseilles (France).
      Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology-INRA (Narbonne, France).

Selected Publications

      Simeonov, I., V. Momchev, D. Grancharov. Dynamic modeling of mesophillic anaerobic digestion of organic waste. Water Research, 1996, 5, 30, 1087-1094.

      Stoyanov, S., I. Simeonov. Robust compensator control of continuous fermentation processes. Bioprocess Engineering, 1996, 15, 6, 47-51.

      Simeonov, I. Mathematical modeling and parameters estimation of anaerobic fermentation process. Bioprocess Eng., 1999, 21, 4, 377-381.

      Simeonov, I. Modelling and control of biological anaerobic waste waters treatment processes (a review). Int. Journal "Archives of Control Sciences", 2001 (in press).

      Simeonov, I., J.-P.Babary, V. Lubenova, D. Dochain. Linearizing control of continuous anaerobic fermentation processes. Int. Symp. "Bioprocess Systems'97", Sofia (Bulgaria), Oct.14-16, 1997, III.21-24.

      Simeonov, I., D. Galabova. Investigations and mathematical modeling of the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. 5Th Int. Conf. on Environmental Pollution, Thessaloniki, Greece), August 28 - Sept. 1, 2000, 285-295.

      Simeonov, I. Modelling and linearizing control of anaerobic wastewaters treatment processes. Int. Symp. on Applied Automatic Systems AAS'2000, Ohrid (Republic of Macedonia), 21-23 September, 2000, 1-6.

      Simeonov, I. Methodology for parameters estimation of non-linear models of anaerobic wastewaters treatment processes in stirred tank bioreactors, 5th Int. Symp. "Systems analysis and computing in water quality management - WATERMATEX 2000", Gent (Belgium), 18-20 Sept. 2000, 8.40- 8.47.

      Simeonov, I. I. Queinnec, C. Gomez-Quintero, J. P. Babary. On linearizing control of wastewater treatment processes. Int. Conf. "Automatics et Informatics' 2000", v.3, Sofia (Bulgaria), Oct. 24-26, 2000, 84-88.

      Mitev, Vl. Decision expert system for cytomorphological investigations. Chemometr. Intel. Lab., 1997, 33, 41-47.

      Mitev, Vl., S. Popova. A model of yeast cultivation process based on morphophysiological parameters. Chemical and Biochemical Eng. Q., 1995, 9(3), 119-121.

      Popova, S., Vl. Mitev. Application of artificial neural networks for yeast cells classification. Bioprocess Eng., 1997, 17, 2, 111-113.

      Popova, S., Vl. Mitev. Two algorithms for image analysis and their application. Bioprocess Eng., 2000, 22, 4, 369-372.