CURRICULUM VITAE

Alik T. Ismail-Zadeh

CURRENT ACADEMIC POSITION

2012 - present

Senior Fellow (Research Professor), Institute of Applied Geoscience, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, GERMANY

ACADEMIC DEGREES AND TITLES

1982	B.Sc. (magna c.l.) in Mathematics	Baku State University, Azerbaijan
1983	M.Sc. (magna c.l.) in Mathematical Physics	Lomonossov Moscow State University, Russia
1990	Ph.D. in Geophysics	Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
1997	D.Sc. in Geophysics	Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
2024	P.D. (Venia Legendi) in Computational Geodynamics	Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

B.Sc. thesis: Numerical solution to one special system of ordinary differential equations.

M.Sc. thesis: On diffraction of inner waves in oceans.

Ph.D. thesis: Gravitational instability of visco-elastic structures: Application to lithosphere dynamics.

D.Sc. dissertation: Numerical modeling of geodynamic processes associated with sedimentary basin evolution.

P.D. lecture: Data-driven numerical modeling in geodynamics.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2022-2008, Chief Scientist/Research Professor, Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics (IEPT),
Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Moscow, RUSSIA
2016-2005, Visiting Research Professor, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, FRANCE
2021, 2015-2001, Director/Lecturer of workshops and conferences, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, ITALY
2014, Invited Professor, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, Beijing, CHINA
2012-2003, Research Scientist, Geophysical Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, GERMANY
2008-2005, Invited Professor, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JAPAN
2007-2005, Foreign Associate, Earth Simulator Center, Yokohama, JAPAN
2003, Invited Professor, Department of Earth, Planetary & Space Sciences, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.
2003 - 2002, Senior Researcher, WSM Project, Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, Heidelberg, GERMANY
2002 - 2001, A. von Humboldt Research Fellow, Geophysikalisches Institut, Universitaet Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, GERMANY
2000, Royal Society Visiting Scholar, Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, University of Cambridge, UK
1999, Invited Professor, Department of Physics, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Roma, ITALY
1999, Invited Professor, Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ISRAEL
2000-1998, Executive co-Director, Italian-Russian Institute on Advanced Geophysical Studies, Moscow, RUSSIA
2000-1998, Associate Professor, I.M. Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Moscow, RUSSIA
2000-1998, Visiting Scientist, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, SWEDEN
1999-1996, Post-Doc and Visiting Scientist, Centre for Parallel Computer, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SWEDEN
1998-1990, Researcher, Senior Research Fellow, IIEPT, Moscow, RUSSIA
1996, Visiting Scientist, Department of Geosciences, University of Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY
1995, Visiting Scientist, Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
1995, Post-doc, Division of Applied Geophysics, University of Trieste, Trieste, ITALY
1990, Researcher, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, AZERBAIJAN
1990-1987, Full-time post-graduate student, Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RUSSIA
1986-1983, Junior Researcher, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, AZERBAIJAN

AWARDS AND HONORS

2022, Fellow, International Science Council (ISC)
2021-2022, Speaker, College of Fellows Distinguished Lecture Series, American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2019, Ambassador Award, AGU
2019, Fellow, AGU
2019, Fellow, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
2018, Secretary of Council (elected), International Science Council
2017, Ordinary Member, Academia Europaea (The Academy of Europe)
2013, Honorary Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society, London
2012, Axford Distinguished Lecture Award, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society
2011, Honorary Member, IUGG Union Commission on Geophysical Risk and Sustainability
2009, International Award, AGU
2007, Secretary General (elected), International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
2007, Most Cited Paper 2004-2007 Award, Elsevier
2001, The Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship Award
2000, The Royal Society Research Fellowship Award
1999, Fellowship Award of the Russian President to Early Career Doctors of Science
1997, Swedish Institute Scholarship Award
1995, Scholarship Award of the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research
1995, Academia Europaea Prize and Medal to Early Career Scientists
1995, IUGG & RFBR Travel Awards
1994, European Geophysical Society Travel Award to Young Scientist
1993, Soros International Science Foundation Award

SCIENTIFIC, ADVISORY AND THESIS EVALUATION COUNCILS

Member, PhD Committee, Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental
Sciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany (2024-present)
Member, Advisory Board, the Chicxulub Center for Scientific Research and Advanced
Studies, Merida, Mexico (2024-present)
Member, Scientific Council, International Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and
Mathematical Geophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (1993-2022)
Member, Evaluation Council for Ph.D. theses and D.Sc. dissertations (in Geophysics),
Supreme Certifying Commission of the Russian Federation, Moscow (1999-2014)

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY & INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Member (2022-2025), Honor and Recognition Committee
Chair (2019-2022), Outreach and Engagement Committee, Section of Natural Hazards
Chair (2017-2018), Graduate Award Committee, Section of Natural Hazards
Chair (2015-2017), Member (2013-2014), International Award Committee
Member (2014-2015, 2007-2008), Panel of Experts on Revision of the Natural Hazards Statement
Member (2011-2012), Task Force on Grant Challenges
Member (2010-2012), AGU Council
Founding President (2009-2012), Immediate Past President (2013-2014), Natural Hazards Focus Group
Member (2007-2008), Panel of Experts on Natural Hazards
Director (2001-2010), AGU Outreach Center in Russia
Member (2000-2006, 2008-2010), Committee on International Participation
Convener of Union, Natural Hazards, and Tectonophysics sessions

European Geosciences Union (EGU)

Chair (2014-2018), Sergey Soloviev Medal Committee
Convener of Natural Hazards and Geodynamics sessions

European Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology (EUROSCIENCE)

Elected Member (1997-2002), Governing Board
Chair (1998-2012), Working Group “Science and Urgent Problems of Society”
Co-Chair (1997-2002), Working Group “East-West Cooperation”
Convener of several symposia/sessions or an invited speaker at the Euroscience Open Forums (ESOF)
in Budapest (2002, the one before the first ESOF), Stockholm (2004), Munich (2006), Torino (2008),
Barcelona (2008), and Dublin (2012).

International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)

Chair, Commission on Mathematical Geophysics (2019-2027)
Secretary-General (elected, 2007-2019)
Member, Scientific Program Committees, 27^th General Assembly, Montreal, Canada (2017-2019)
Chair (2004-2007), Past Chair (2007-2015), Founding co-Chair (2000-2004),
Commission on Geophysical Risk and Sustainability
Member, Site Comparison Committee (2014, 2018)
Member, Fellows Selection Committee (2014, 2018)
Member, Scientific Program Committees, 26^th General Assembly, Prague, Czech Republic (2013-2015)
Member, Scientific Program Committees, 25^th General Assembly, Melbourne, Australia (2009-2011)

International Science Council (ISC, since 2018)

Member (since 2024), Global Roster of Experts
Member (2022-2023), Working Group on Constitutional Change
Adviser to the Governing Board (2022-2024)
Chair (2020-2021), Awards Committee
Inaugural Secretary (elected, 2018-2021) ISC Governing Board

International Council for Science (ICSU, 1931-2018)

Chair (2014-2017), Vice-Chair (2012-2014), Member (since 2008), Steering Committee, GEOUNIONS, ICSU
Co-Chair, Ad-hoc Expert Group on Disaster Risk Assessment, International Council for Science (ICSU)
and International Social Sciences Council (ISSC)
Member (2011-present), Science Panel, Initiative on U.N. International Year for Global Understanding
Member (2010-2011), Panel on Strategic Plan Development for the International Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
Member (2007-2009), Council of the ICSU Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Services

Other international and intergovernmental scientific groups and organizations

Chair of the Scientific Committee (2024-2027), ISC/UNDRR Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Programme,
Beijing, China
Member (2024-2025), UNDRR/ISC Hazard Information Profiles Review Committee,
Geneva, Switzerland
Scientific Council Member (2018-present), UNESCO-ICTP-East African
Institute for Fundamental Research (EAIFR), Kigali, Rwanda
Member (2020-2022), Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, Group on Earth Observations
(GEO), Geneva, Switzerland
IUGG Principal Liaison (2019-2023) to the UNESCO Earth Sciences and Geoparks Section
and the International Geoscience Programme, Paris, France
Advisory Board Member (2018-2020), Science for Disaster Risk Management
2020 Report, Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre, European Commission
Advisory Board Member (2019), Global Assessment Report 2019, United Nations
Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Council Member (2017-2018), Scientific Board of the UNESCO-IUGS
International Geoscience Program (IGCP)
Member (2016-2017), Science and Technology Program Committee,
U.N. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Principal Delegate (2015-2019), intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
Member (2011-2019), Scientific Program Committee, S&T Conference series, Preparatory
Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
Member (2012-present), Steering Committee, Asia-Pacific Region Global Earthquake and
Volcanic Eruption Risk Management (G-EVER)
Member (2007-2010), Board of Directors, International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE)
Member (2007-2009), Council of the ICSU Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Services
Member (2005-2007), Science Working Group, IGOS-Geohazards
Member (1993-1995), EUROPROBE Task Force “GeoRift: Geodynamics of Intracratonic Rifting”

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Associate Member
American Geophysical Union, Life Member (since 1993)
European Geosciences Union, Member (since 2003)
European Geophysical Society, Member (1996-2002)
EuroScience, Founding Member (since 1996)

PEER REVIEW AND REFEREE

Reviewer of research articles for the peer-reviewed research journals:

- Geosciences: Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica; Earth-Science Reviews; Geology; Georisk;
Geophys. Geochem. Geosys. (G3); Geophysical Journal International;
Geophysical Research Letters; Geoscience Communication;
GeoMarine Letters; Global and Planetary Change;
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction; Journal of Disaster Research;
Journal of Geodynamics; Journal of the Geological Society of India;
Journal of Geophysical Research; Journal of Quaternary Science;
Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering; Natural Hazards;
Natural Hazards Review; Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences;
Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics; Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors;
Physics of the Solid Earth; Pure and Applied Geophysics;
Scientific Reports - Nature, Tectonophysics, Terra Nova.

- Applied Mathematics and Mechanics: Applied Mathematics and Computations;
Computer and Structures; International Journal of Thermal Sciences;
Journal of Computational Physics; Mathematical Problems in Engineering.

Reviewer of the book proposals for the Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, and Springer
Reviewer of the European Research Council
Reviewer of the European Union Framework Programs
Reviewer of the EU-INTAS Program
Reviewer of the Czech Science Foundation
Reviewer of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Reviewer of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) Grant Programs (2012-2014)
Reviewer of the French National Research Agency (ANR)
Reviewer of FONDECYT (Chile)
Reviewer of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Reviewer of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science
Referee, PhD theses and DSc dissertations in Geophysics and Applied Mathematics
(some 20 dissertations in several countries)

EDITORIAL BOARDS

· Member (2023-present), NPJ Natural Hazards, Nature Portfolio Journals

· Associate Editor (2015-present), Surveys in Geophysics, Springer

· Co-Editor (2016-present), Russian Journal of Earth Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences

· Member (2015-present), Transactions, Earth Sciences, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

· Editor-in-Chief (2011- 2023), Special Publication Series of the IUGG, Cambridge University Press

· Member (2018-2024), Journal of Volcanology and Seismology, Russian Academy of Sciences

· Member (2018-2020), Albanian Journal of Natural and Technical Sciences,
Academy of Sciences of Albania.

· Member (2013-2016), Advisory Board for Research Reviews, Natural Hazard Science,
Oxford University Press

· Editor (2006–2008), Associate Editor (2004-2006), Computational Seismology and Geodynamics,
American Geophysical Union

· Member (2003-2010), Editorial Board, Computational Seismology, Russian Academy of Sciences

· Editor-in-Chief (2007-2019), Electronic Newsletters of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics

· Guest Editor (2006-2007), Natural Hazards, Springer

DESCRIPTION OF SCIENTIFIC WORK

Studies of dynamics of the crust, lithosphere, and mantle and their surface manifestations
(including sedimentary basin evolution, salt tectonics, seismicity, seismic and lava flow hazards)
through multidisciplinary synthesis, theoretical analysis, and numerical experiments.

Ongoing research (key words): computational geodynamics; data assimilation (inverse problems)
in models of crustal and mantle dynamics; development of quantitative methods for geodynamics;
geothermal evolution of sedimentary basins; salt diapirism; modelling of seismicity; block-and-fault
dynamics of the lithosphere (earthquake simulator); evolution of descending lithosphere;
mantle plume evolution; lava flow and lava dome dynamics; science diplomacy; science history.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS

Lava Flows and Domes

Volcanic lava hazard evaluation based on lava flow with debris.
Assimilation of surface temperature and heat flux into lava flow models.
Models of lava dome-building at Volcan de Colima, Mexico.
Assessment of lava viscosity from lava dome morphology

Seismic Hazards and Risk

Quantitative models of a fault network interaction in the Tibet-Himalayan region to explain
seismicity and slip rates at major regional faults.
Model-seismicity-based probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) and its application
to the Tibet-Himalayan region.
PSHA for the Vrancea region (Romania).
Seismic hazard and earthquake risk assessment for the Baku city (Azerbaijan).

Inverse Problems and Data Assimilation in Geodynamics

Introduction of data assimilation in models of geodynamics and applications to mantle plume evolution.
Reconstruction of lithospheric plate sinking in the south-eastern Carpathians.
Reconstruction of the western Pacific and Philippine plate subduction beneath the Japanese islands and
implication on the Japan Sea opening.
Reconstruction of flow and temperature inside volcanic lava flow based on surface observations.
Restoration of sedimentary basin evolution complicated by salt tectonics: application to Pricaspian basin
of the East European platform.

Lithosphere Dynamics and Tectonic Stress

Understanding of tectonic stress localization and its change in the lithospheric slab in terms
of style of the slab subduction.
Explanation of coexisting shortening - extension and seismic activity in the Central Apennines
by the buoyancy of the lithosphere.
Tectonic stress localization in the Vrancea earthquake-prone body beneath the south-eastern Carpathians.

Gravitational and Thermal Instability

Theoretical results in problems of Rayleigh-Taylor and Rayleigh-Bernard instabilities of the (geo) structures
including analysis of Newtonian, Maxwell, non-Newtonian power law, and perfectly plastic rheologies.
Applications to salt diapirism: Models of salt structure evolution in the Pricaspain Basin and in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sedimentary Basins

Introduction of eclogitization-induced mantle flow mechanism for sedimentary basin evolution.
Quantitative models of the evolution of intracratonic sedimentary basins in North America (Illinois,
Michigan and Williston basins), East European (Dnieper-Donets, Moscow, Pre-Ural, Timan-Pechora basins),
and Siberian (Tunguska and Viluy basins) platforms.
Models of geothermal evolution of the Astrakhan Arch of the Pricaspian Basin.

Numerical Methods (2-D and 3-D) to solve geodynamical problems

New numerical methods and algorithms of an enhanced accuracy to study problems of Earth’s dynamics.
Numerical methodology for data assimilation in geodynamics (backward advection, variational/adjoint,
and quasi-reversibility methods).

International scientific organizations, science diplomacy and history

The role of international geoscience organizaitons in promoting scientific research.
Science diplomacy for disaster risk reduction.
History of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).

ORGANIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

34rd IUGG Conference on Mathematical Geophysics, Mumbai, India, 2-7 June 2024
Union Symposium “Geoscience and Mathematics for Sustainable Development”, IUGG General Assembly, Berlin, Germany, 12 July 2023
33rd IUGG Conference on Mathematical Geophysics, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 20-24 June 2022
Joint ICTP-IUGG Workshop on Data Assimilation and Inverse Problems in Geophysical Sciences,Trieste, Italy, 18-29 October 2021 (online)
Workshop on Science Diplomacy to Promote and Strengthen Basic Research and International Cooperation, U.S. National Academies, 12-16 March 2021 (online)
Session “Advancing Global Resilience and Fostering Cross-border Cooperation through Disaster Diplomacy Effort”, ESOF 2020, Trieste, Italy (online)
33rd IUGG Conference on Mathematical Geophysics, 22-26 June 2020 (postponed to 2022)
Centennial of the International Cooperation in Earth and Space Sciences, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, 29 July 2019
Principal organizer, Worldwide Celebration of the IUGG Centennial, 2019
XXVII General Assembly of IUGG, Montreal, Canada, 8 – 18 July 2019
CTBTO Science and Technology Conference, Member of the Scientific Program Committee, Vienna, Austria, 24-28 June 2019
CTBTO Science and Technology Conference, Member of the Scientific Program Committee, Vienna, Austria, 26-30 June 2017
U.N. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Session on Science and Technology’s Engagement, Cancun, Mexico, 22-26 May 2017
Session “Seismic Hazard and Disaster Risk: Assessment, Testing, and Implementation”, EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 23-28 April 2017
Panel “Industry Perspectives on Natural Hazards and Disaser Science: Research Needs and Opportunities”, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 12-16 December 2016
Session “Seismic Hazard and Disaster Risk: Assessment, Testing, and Implementation”, EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 17-22 April 2016.
Session “Science for Disaster Risk Reduction: From Integrated Research and Assessments to Communication and Engagements”, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 14-18 December 2015
Conference “Future Earth & Space Science and Education”, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, 2-6 November 2015
XXVI General Assembly of IUGG, Prague, Czech Republic, 22 June – 2 July 2015
CTBTO Science and Technology Conference, Member of the Scientific Program Committee (Vienna, Austria, 21-25 June 2015)
CTBTO Science and Technology Conference, Member of the Scientific Program Committee (Vienna, Austria, 17-22 June 2013)
AGU Joint Meeting of Americas, Member of the Scientific Program Committee (Cancun, Mexico, 14-17 May 2013)
First IUGG GRC Conference “Extreme Natural Events and their Impacts”, Member of the Scientific Program Committee (Orange, California, USA, 11-14 December 2012)
NH Sessions “Geohazards and Disaster Risks in the North Pacific Region” and “Asia-Pacific Region Global Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption Risk Management” at the AGU Fall Meeting (San Francisco, California, 3 December 2012)
Union and Natural Hazards session “Predicting extreme events in natural and socio-economic systems” at the AGU Fall Meeting (San Francisco, California, 5-6 December 2011)
XXV General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Melbourne, Australia, 27 June – 8 July 2011).
ENHANS symposium U02“Grand Challenges in Natural Hazards Research and Risk Analysis” (Melbourne, Australia, 29 June - 2 July 2011).
Symposium U05 “Data Science/Informatics and Data Assimilation in Geophysical Models”, XXV IUGG General Assembly, Melbourne, Australia (28 June – 7 July 2011).
ENHANS symposium “Natural Hazards and Disaster Risks in the Middle East Region” (Antalya, Turkey, 7-8 May 2011)
ENHANS Workshop “Natural Hazards and Disaster Risks in Africa”, Pretoria, South Africa (17-20 January 2011).
ENHANS Symposium “Extreme Natural Events: Modeling, Prediction and Mitigation”, AGU Fall Meeting (San Francisco, 12-17 December 2010).
ENHANS Symposium “Natural Hazards and Disaster Risks in Latin America and the Caribbean”, AGU Joint Meeting of Americas (Iguassu, Brazil, 9-10 August 2010).
Symposium “Data assimilation and model validations”, IUGG Conferences on Mathematical Geophysics (Pisa, Italy, June, 2010).
ICSU CODATA symposium on geophysical data (Kiev, Ukraine, 5-8 October 2008)
Conference "Earth Science for Society" (Karlsruhe, Germany, 4 August 2008)
ISCU Workshop on Natural and Human-Induced Hazards and Disasters in Africa (Kampala, Uganda, 21-23 July 2007).
Union Symposium “High-Performance Computations in Geosciences”, IUGG XXIV General Assembly (Perugia, Italy, 2-13 July 2007).
IUGG-EuroScience Symposium “Riding the Storm: Can Science Keep us in the Saddle?” at the 2^nd European Science Open Forum (Munich, Germany, July 2006).
Science Advisory Committee member and organizer of the Special Session “Mathematical Aspects of Geohazard Research”, the 26^th IUGG Conference on Mathematical Geophysics (Israel, June, 2006).
UNESCO-IUGG-AGU Workshop “Recent Geodynamics, Georisk and Sustainability in the Black Sea to Caspian region” (Baku, Azerbaijan, July 2005).
Symposium “Computational Fluid and Solid Geodynamics: Methods and Challenges” at M.I.T. (Cambridge, USA, June 2005).
IUGG-EuroScience-NATO workshop “Risk Science, Society and Sustainability” at the European Science Open Forum (Stockholm, Sweden, August 2004).
Symposium “Computational Fluid Geodynamics” at M.I.T. (Cambridge, USA, June 2003).
Session on geophysical risks at the General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) (Sapporo, Japan, 2003).
IUGG-Euroscience Advanced Research Workshop (Budapest, Hungary, 2002).
Session at the General Assembly of the European Geophysical Society (The Hague, The Netherlands, 1999).
Workshop at General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission (Tel Aviv, Israel, 1998).
Sessions at Zonenshain Conferences on Plate Tectonics (Moscow, Russia, 1995, 1998).

INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

CHEVRON Energy Technology Company, Houston, USA
ENI-AGIP, Milan, Italy
Exxon, Houston, USA
GASPROM, Moscow Russia

RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS

Data-driven modelling in lava flow (Principal Investigator, PI), received from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 2020-2023.
Numerical modeling of lava dome dynamics and stability (PI), received from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), 2019-2021.
Unravelling the areas prone to large earthquakes in the Caucasian region (PI), received from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 2016-2019.
Modeling of volcanic lava flow with breccias (PI), received from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), 2014-2016.
Modeling of lithosphere dynamics and seismic hazard assessment (PI), received from the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2013-2015.
Evolution of descending lithospheric slabs as inferred from assimilation of geophysical, geodetic and geological data (PI), received from Deutsche ForschungsGemeinschaft, 2009-2012.
Mantle plume dynamics, heat flow changes and maturation of hydrocarbons (PI), received from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 2009-2010.
Three-dimensional numerical modeling of salt extrusion and raft evolution (PI), received from Chevron, Houston, USA, 2007-2009.
Numerical assimilation of geological and geophysical data in models of geodynamics (PI), received from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 2006-2007.
Salt extrusion and deformations in salt's overburden (PI), received from Chevron, Houston, USA, 2005-2006.
Quantitative approach to coupled structural and thermal restoration of salt-bearing sedimentary basins: Application to the Pricaspian salt basin, received from Deutsche ForschungsGemeinschaft, 2004-2006.
Numerical modeling of dynamics of descending lithosphere and ascending mantle plumes: implication for seismicity and magmatism (PI), received from the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2003-2005.
Numerical approach to backward modeling of mantle convection (co-PI), received from the NSF, 2003.
Quantitative modeling of crustal and uppermost mantle motions caused by sinking relic slab: Application to the earthquake-prone Vrancea region (PI), received from the A. von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, 2001-2002.
1999-2002, Conversion of R&D in Missile Navigation to Nonlinear Problems in Earth Sciences (co-PI and Project Director), received from the European Union via the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). The project was mentioned as one of the best ISTC projects in 2000. The project’s results were reported to Mr. V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation, among the best international interdisciplinary scientific projects.
Numerical modeling of motions of rheologically heterogeneous media (PI), received from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, 1999-2001.
Quantitative modeling of rheologically stratified geostructures (PI), received from the Royal Society of London, 2000.
Quantitative modeling of the evolution of salt structures in the Pre-Caspian basin (PI), received from Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 1997-2000.
Numerical modeling of salt dome evolution (PI), received from Russian Foundation for Basic Research, 1997-1998.
Quantitative modeling of interaction between mantle flows and lithospheric plates, and formation of sedimentary basins (Co-PI; Project Coordinator was Prof. W. Jacoby, University of Mainz, Germany), received from INTAS (Brussels), 1995-1996.
Numerical modeling of relic slab sinking (PI), received from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, 1995-1996.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROJECT AWARDS

Computational Geosciences for Sustainable Development (co-Leader), received from the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), 2023.
Applications of Data Assimilation and Inverse Problems in Earth Sciences (Leader), received from International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), 2020.
Future Earth and Space Science Education (Leader), received from International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), 2015.
Extreme Natural Hazards and Societal Implications (Leader), received from International Council for Science (ICSU) and UNESCO, 2011-2013.
AGU Geophysical Outreach Center in Russia (Director), received from ExxonMobil Exploration Company, 2005-2008.
Recent Geodynamics, Georisk and Sustainability in the Black Sea to Caspian region (Director), received from UNESCO, IUGG, and AGU, 2005.
Risk Science, Society and Sustainability (Co-Director), received from NATO, 2004.
Science for Reduction of Risk and Sustainable Development of Society (co-Director), received from NATO, 2002.

PERSONAL DATA

Born: Baku, Azerbaijan

Marital Status: Married to Sonya Salman, concert pianist. Son David

Languages: Azeri, English, German, Russian, Turkish.

Secondary education:

1976-1978, High school No. 134, Mathematical Class for Gifted Children, Baku,
Azerbaijan (awarded by the Gold Medal for Excellence in Education in 1978)
1967-1976, Bül-Bül Music high school (graduated with cum laude as a pianist)