Petia Yanchulova Merica-Jones

Dr. Yanchulova Merica-Jones, an astronomer, was a 2025 Fulbright U.S. Scholar in the Faculty of Physics at Sofia University in Bulgaria. Her project focused on student recruitment and retention in astronomy and physics, integrating teaching, research, and outreach. She collaborated with faculty and students at Sofia University and the Institute of Astronomy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. She taught astronomical data analysis with Python, guided students through the Hubble Space Telescope proposal process, mentored emerging scientists, and encouraged students across Bulgaria to pursue astronomy and space science careers. Her Fulbright experience expanded her work into teaching, curriculum development, and public engagement while strengthening her leadership and her commitment to supporting emerging scientists. Petia continues to build scientific research partnerships between the United States and Bulgaria on projects related to the Webb and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and advances international scientific cooperation through media interviews, workshops and ongoing engagement.