Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang is a world-class researcher and an influential entrepreneur. He has substantially impacted the development of multiple areas of research and industrial practices. His extensive research on signal and data processing theories, methods, and cross-disciplinary applications has significantly advanced the field. A widely recognized and respected leader in engineering communities, he provides exemplary service and has nurtured and inspired a generation of young engineers and researchers. His innovative technology-based business initiatives have fostered the development and formation of AI tools in the burgeoning financial technology industry. He has won many prestigious academic and industry awards. He is an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, Fellow of IEEE, and Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.