Alexander Melnikov is a Professor at the University of Alberta working in stochastic analysis and its applications in finance, statistics and insurance. He is the author of nine books and over one hundred research papers in leading academic journals and venues. He is a Fellow of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, a recipient of the Leontiev medal of this academy and the McCalla Professorship of the University of Alberta. In addition to his academic engagements, he held several senior positions in business and professional organizations.