She holds a Ph.D. in International Affairs and a Certificate in Advanced East European Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her current research focuses on populism and political parties, civil service reform in Eastern Europe, and gender representation in Southeastern Europe. She also has expertise in elite theory, democratization, and East European transitions. In the past, Zankina has served as Associate Director of the Center for Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Managing Editor of East European Politics and Societies, and Editor-in-Chief of the Newsletter of the Bulgarian Studies Association. She is the recipient of a number of U.S. national grants from IREX, ACLS, American Councils, Wilson Center, and more.