UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering professor Anouchka Mihaylova died in a hit-and-run car accident in the 11800 block of Rancho Bernando Road around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.

Mihaylova was a project scientist under the department of bioengineering and a member of the Cardiac Mechanics Research Group for almost 15 years, according to the UCSD bioengineering department website.

Boian Spassov, Mihaylova’s son, told NBC 7 San Diego that the 62-year-old was killed while she was walking to her favorite restaurant with her husband. The San Diego Police Department reported that a silver vehicle struck Mihaylova after driving into the curb and drove off without stopping.

Police speculate that the vehicle was a silver or pewter 2005 or 2006 Nissan Altima with a damaged front end and missing passenger side mirror. At press time, the responsible party had not turned themselves in.

Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla released a statement through the UCSD News Center on Monday afternoon offering the university’s condolences to the families and friends of the deceased for Mihaylova, as well as Ricardo Ambriz, Revelle student, who also died on Saturday.

“[Mihaylova] made seminal contributions to her field and was an admired and revered mentor to postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students,” Khosla said.

Bioengineering professor Andrew D. McCulloch and chair Geert W. Schmid-Schonbein sent an email to the department on Monday afternoon regarding the loss of their colleague, mentioning the contributions Mihaylova had made to her field.

“Anouchka is survived by her husband and son, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathies, thoughts and prayers at this time of their terribly sudden and tragic loss,” the email said.