BIO: Dr. Fred E. Below is a Professor of Crop Physiology in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. He received his B.S, M.S, and Ph.D. degrees in Agronomy all from the University of Illinois. His research is focused on understanding factors limiting crop productivity, with particular emphasis on nitrogen use by corn. He is currently working on the genetic regulation of nitrogen use efficiency, on adapting variable-rate technologies for nitrogen fertilization, in understanding the role of ethylene in crop stress, and in developing tropical maize as an alternative biofuel crop. He has taught introductory crops courses to undergraduates, as well as advanced courses to graduate students, and given numerous presentations at national conferences and local meetings.