Researcher at the GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” Simeon Karpuzov, is among the ten “Outstanding Young Persons of Bulgaria” (TOYP Bulgaria 2026), an initiative organized by Junior Chamber International Bulgaria (JCI Bulgaria). He is the winner in the “Science and Technological Development” category, which recognizes young Bulgarians with exceptional contributions to science, innovation, and technology.
This recognition is yet another confirmation of Simeon Karpuzov’s significant contribution to the field of digital healthcare and the application of artificial intelligence in addressing real societal and medical challenges.
Simeon Karpuzov is a physicist and researcher in the “Digital Healthcare” department at the GATE Institute. He graduated from the Sofia Mathematics High School “Paisiy Hilendarski” and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, as well as a Master’s degree in Quantum Electronics and Laser Technology from the Faculty of Physics at Sofia University. His professional career includes more than six years of scientific work at the Institute of Mechanics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in the field of laser technologies, interferometry, and holography, as well as experience as an engineer at GlobalFoundries – one of the world’s leading companies in the production of microchips and semiconductor devices.
In recent years, Karpuzov has been developing innovative solutions in the field of healthcare. He is part of the GATE Institute team that developed and patented a method and system for patient monitoring through video surveillance. The invention supports the early detection of epileptic seizures and helps prevent potential complications. The technology is currently being tested in an epilepsy clinic in the Netherlands. Simeon is also involved in research on brain networks aimed at the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
His achievements have already received wide public and professional recognition. In 2024, Simeon Karpuzov was included in Forbes Bulgaria’s “30 Under 30” list in the “Science, Technology and Healthcare” category, and in 2025 he won the grand prize in the “Young Entrepreneur in Science” competition for his project “System for Detecting Epileptic Seizures,” based on computer vision and real-time analysis technologies.
The TOYP Bulgaria program annually recognizes ten young Bulgarians aged between 18 and 40 for their achievements and positive impact on society. The national winners, selected this year by a 37-member jury, are automatically nominated for the global edition of the competition – The Outstanding Young Persons of the World, organized by Junior Chamber International in over 100 countries.
“I accept this award as recognition of the power of science, innovation, and teamwork. No significant achievement is the result of one person’s efforts alone. I would like to thank my colleagues at the GATE Institute, our partners in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as all the scientists and doctors we work with. I believe that science, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies can help patients, support doctors, and save human lives. This award is a strong motivation for me to continue working towards a future in which Bulgarian innovations change people’s lives not only in our country but also around the world,” said Simeon Karpuzov upon receiving the distinction.
With this recognition, Simeon Karpuzov further strengthens his position among the most promising young scientists in Bulgaria and joins the national representatives who will represent the country in the international TOYP format.
The TOYP awards were founded in the United States in 1938. Since 1983, they have been held in various countries where Junior Chamber International is represented. In Bulgaria, these annual awards were launched in 2015.
The TOYP awards are based on the idea of recognizing ten outstanding young individuals each year for their achievements in their respective fields. The aim is, on the one hand, to motivate active young people to continue developing, and on the other, to inspire others through their example.
Over the years, TOYP has honored figures such as Elvis Presley, Jackie Chan, John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, and many other global icons. Among them are now also the first awardees from Bulgaria.