Dr. Atanassov has been employed in a variety of professional, academic and industrial institutions in Bulgaria, Russia, Lithuania, Germany and the United States. He has authored or co-authored over 60 publications in peer reviewed scientific journals, review articles, book chapters and patents. Dr. Atanassov's doctorate (from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) is in Chemistry/Applied Electrochemistry and his graduate degree (from University of Sofia) is in Chemistry/Chemical Physics. From 1992 to 1999 Dr. Atanassov worked as a post-doctoral fellow and a research faculty with the Department of Chemical & Nuclear Engineering at UNM. Dr. Atanassov has directed work under numerous government contracts and has been involved in commercialization of biosensor and battery technology. Practical biosensor for bacterial detection, based on his inventions is currently in development stage for market introduction. Before returning to the department the Fall 2000, Dr. Atanassov spent one year with Superior MicroPowders LLC, Albuquerque, NM, as a research scientist and a project manager.

In a "previous life" Plamen supported his family by publishing political cartoons in the daily newspapers. During this time he also illustrated cover-art for science-fiction and children's books. Hobbies it seems are more sweet memories now, though a book on cultural anthropology or history is a welcome temptation.