Kostadinka Bizheva
About Optica
In Memoriam: Kostadinka Bizheva, 1970-2025
08 September 2025
Kostadinka “Dida” Bizheva, an Optica Fellow and Senior Member, passed away on 8 September, 2025, at the age of 55. She was known for her research in biomedical optics and optical imaging technology. In 2025, Optica honored her as an Optica Fellow for her outstanding contributions to optical imaging in ophthalmology. Bizheva served as a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, where she was deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students.
Bizheva earned her BSc degree in solid-state physics and electronics engineering from Plovdiv University in Bulgaria in 1993. She continued her education at Tufts University in Medford, MA, USA, where she completed both an MSc and a PhD in physics/biomedical optics in 1997 and 2001, respectively. Her research focused on developing innovative optical imaging technologies designed for clinical diagnostic purposes, as well as for monitoring drug therapies and surgical procedures. Notably, Bizheva's work enabled ultrahigh-resolution imaging of biological tissue, which allowed for the observation of cellular structures and blood vessels.
A passionate educator, Bizheva received several University Faculty Awards throughout her career, specifically from 2005 to 2010. She was an active member of the Canadian Association of Physicists, even serving as Chair. Bizheva participated in the OSA Student Chapter for Southwestern Ontario from 2005 to 2007, held a cross appointment in Optometry and Vision Sciences, and contributed to the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology. Additionally, she was heavily involved with the Optica Publishing Group, serving as Guest Editor for Biomedical Optica Express in 2025, Deputy Editor of Optics Express in 2025, and as an Associate Editor of Biomedical Optics Express for six years from 2018 to 2024. She was an Optica governance volunteer serving on the MED Council in 2007, and involved in Optica meetings, serving as Program Chair for the Optical Coherence Tomography Program from 2019 to 2020 and as Chair from 2021 to 2022.
Kostadinka “Dida” Bizheva will be dearly missed by her many colleagues, students, and friends. Optica and the scientific community mourn her loss.
