Jaak Aaviksoo was born in 1954 in Tartu, Estonia. Graduated Tartu University in 1976 and was awarded PhD in theoretical physics in 1981. His international research career involved research stays in Russia, Germany, France and Japan. In 1992 was elected professor of physics at Tartu University and has served as Rector of University of Tartu 1998-2007. He has been a 3-term member of the Estonian Parliament, as well as minister of Education and Culture, minister of Defence, and minister of Education and Research. Contributed to the establishment of NATO Cyber Security Centre in Tallinn. Served as rector of Tallinn University of Technology 2015-2020. He is a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Presently a free lance consultant.