Prof. Alla Lapidus, MSc in Physics (with honors), Moscow Physics-Engineering Institute (1980); Ph.D in Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms, Russia (1984). Primary areas of expertise are bioinformatics, DNA sequencing, metagenomics, development of genomic and bioinformatics approaches and tools for DNA sequence analysis. Currently independent researcher. Formerly director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Algorithmic Biotechnology, SPbU. Previously was an Associate professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center; Director of Sequencing Center, Integrated Genomics, Chicago; Research Scientist at The University of Chicago. Coordinated genome finishing of the JGI-LBNL; provided support to the Microbial and Fungal Programs at JGI; Senior Research Scientist at the INRA, France (special grant for distinguished young scientists); Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms (Russia). Authored 405 scientific papers in high profile peer reviewed journals, book chapters and patents. Supervised MSc and PhD students. Winner of 2015 Scopus Awards for contributions to the global scientific landscape. Recipient of a Personal Grant for Outstanding Scientists from the Soros Foundation (1993), named one of the 100 most productive scientists in the field of Biology in Russia. Recognized with Research.com Genetics and Molecular Biology Leader Awards for 2022, 2023, 2024. Ranked #817 in the world ranking and #1 in Russia (Genetics).