I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). I study the politics and policies of the European Union and its member states, and teach courses in the field of comparative politics. Prior to joining UIC, between 2004-2011, I worked at the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida. I received my PhD from Florida State University in 2002, and my BA from the American University in Bulgaria in 1997.

When I tell friends, relatives, and acquaintances that I am a college professor, the first reaction usually is "Oh, so you are a teacher". This is partly true, but university professors, esp. those of us at research schools spend our time performing a variety of tasks, most days of the week. 

 ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
Associate Professor, with tenure, Dept. of Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, 8/2019-present 
         Faculty Fellow, Honors College, 2012-present
            Affiliate Member, CEERES, University of Chicago, 2010-present
Assistant Professor, Dept of Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago 8/2011-8/2019  
Associate Director, Center for European Studies, University of Florida, 08/2008-08/2011
           50% service and administration, 25% research, 25% teaching
Assistant Director, Center for European Studies, University of Florida, 05/2004-08/2008 
           75% service and administration, 25% teaching
Internship Coordinator, European Union Studies Program, University of Florida, 08/2003-05/2004         
           100% administration
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Florida, 12/2002-05/2004  (part-time)         
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Florida State University, 08/2002-12/2002 (part-time)