alik ismail-zadeh is a german/russian mathematical geophysicist known for his contribution to computational geodynamics. and natural hazard studies, pioneering work on data assimilation in geodynamics as well as for outstanding service to the earth and space science community. he is a senior scientist of the karlsruhe institute of technology in germany, and chief scientist, research professor and scientific leader of research group “computational geodynamics and geohazard modeling” of the russian academy of sciences institute of earthquake prediction theory and mathematical geophysics, moscow, russia.