Born and raised on the coast of the Black Sea in Bulgaria, I developed a deep connection to the water from an early age. Long summer days spent along the shoreline nurtured my appreciation for clean beaches and waters, and the fragile beauty of marine environments. Protecting the sea that shaped my childhood felt deeply personal and became my first passion.
After earning a degree in Structural Engineering in Bulgaria, I joined a pioneering company that repurposed recycled plastics and other waste materials into structural elements for affordable housing. Working in such an innovative environment shaped my understanding of how engineering can not only transform construction but also protect the environment. Now based in the United States, I continue to focus on energy-efficient and eco-friendly housing, making sustainable living my second passion.
However, my love of travel has taken me across the globe, giving me firsthand insight into the environmental challenges our planet faces. From the heavy air pollution in Indian cities to the rapid deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon, from the melting glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro to beaches in Bali, scattered with plastic waste, I’ve witnessed the devastating effects of climate change. Among these experiences, the state of the world’s oceans has affected me most profoundly, reinforcing a lifelong conviction: the health of our seas depends on the actions of people everywhere.
Believing that everyone can make a difference if they simply choose to act, I decided to join eXXpedition. Why? Because now we need all hands-on deck, from helping with research and data gathering, to learning and understanding the actual processes of plastic pollution, to raising awareness in our own communities, and reshaping public opinion. It is time.
