Born in the USSR. Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from Saint Petersburg State University. In the U.S. since 1994. U.S. citizen. Professor in a world-leading Foreign Language Center. Presented at multiple international conventions on Applied Linguistics and Slavic Studies. Also worked in CIS-related positions in several multinational corporations. Hosted talk shows on Russian national TV. Published worldwide. Taught and worked in the UK, Germany, Austria, India, Poland and Hungary.