Tatiana Stantcheva was born and raised in Bulgaria, where she studied physics as an undergraduate student at Sofia University. She holds a Ph.D. in Physics from The Ohio State University, has co-authored multiple scientific articles, and was the recipient of The Ohio State Graduate School Presidential Fellowship. 

She is currently a Professor of Physics at Northern Virginia Community College, maintains a private academic and life coaching practice, and serves as the Executive President of NOVA Friends Fund, a non-profit organization that helps community college students to reach their potential. She is also a member of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the  International Coach Federation.

Deeply compassionate, Tatiana also volunteers with hospice, practices Yoga, QiGong and Jin Shin Jyutsu, and writes on spiritual topics in her blog Effortless Reality. She lives with her husband, two children, and a rescue cocker spaniel in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, US.