I am a theoretical physicist working on the theory of quantum many-body systems, including nuclear physics, theory of electron atoms, and condensed matter theory.

I received my PhD in 1978 and my DSc degree (Habilitation) in 1987. Since 1974 till 1993 I had been working as a researcher and lead researcher at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk (Russia); and lecturer then professor at Novosibirsk State University. I have been teaching and research academic at the UNSW for almost thirty years.
During my career I have been awarded numerous fellowships and visiting professorship positions at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, the Institute for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics at Harvard University, University of Groningen, University Paul Sabatier, Max-Planck Institute in Stuttgart and Dresden, Institute for Theoretical Physics in Zurich, Institute for Nuclear Theory in Seattle, Institute for Theoretical Physics in Lausanne, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, etc.

In 2006 I was awarded  the Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize in recognition of my research in theoretical physics and for my work on high temperature superconductivity. This is one of the worlds most prestigious international awards in Science, Humanities, and Medicine. In 2011 I was awarded an ARC Australian Professorial Fellowship which is highly competitive and prestigious award.