Born on July 17, 1949, in Leningrad (now St Petersburg). 

1971: graduated from Zhdanov Leningrad State University; Doctor of Physics and Mathematics.

1971-1991: junior researcher, laboratory head, deputy director for research, leading researcher at the Ioffe Physical Technical Institute of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Leningrad.

1991-1993: Vice President of Advanced Technology Centre, St Petersburg.

1994-2001: Director of Regional Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development, St Petersburg.

From 2000: Chairman of the Academic Council of the Centre for Strategic Research North-West Foundation.

2001-2002: Deputy Minister of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation.

From June 2002: First Deputy Minister of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation.

From December 2003: Acting Minister of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation.

March 9, 2004: appointed Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

State award: Honorary Diploma of the Government of the Russian Federation.