Nelly Traitcheva, PhD, CSP

Nelly Traitcheva, PhD, CSP has a diverse work experience that spans over two decades. Nelly is currently working as an Environmental Health Safety Engineer II at Atomica, where they are responsible for monitoring environmental compliance programs, conducting chemical reviews and classifications, and implementing hazard assessments and mitigations for safe chemical use. Nelly also manages EHS program elements, conducts audits, and investigates incidents and near misses. Additionally, Nelly develops emergency response plans and organizes evacuation drills.

Prior to their current role, Nelly worked at the Environmental Health and Safety department of the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) from 2013 to 2022. During their time at UCSB, they served as a Field Research Safety Officer and Laboratory Safety Specialist. In their role, they developed a Field Research Safety Program that provided training, equipment, and planning strategies to field researchers. Nelly was also part of the Laboratory Safety Team, ensuring a safe work environment in various laboratory settings.

Before joining UCSB, Nelly worked as a Research Associate II at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 2009 to 2013. Prior to that, they completed an internship at Veeco Instruments from 2006 to 2007. Nelly holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, where they conducted research from 2002 to 2006. Nelly also worked as a Research Assistant at FLI - Leibniz Institute for Age research, Beutenberg Campus, and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences during the early years of their career.

Nelly Traitcheva, PhD, CSP has an education history that includes a PhD in Molecular Biology from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, obtained between 2002 and 2006. Prior to that, they attended Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski from 1995 to 2000, although it is not specified if they completed a degree or field of study at this institution.

In addition to their academic background, Nelly Traitcheva holds a certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) obtained from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals in February 2018.