Dr. Smith (B.Sc. University of London), M.Sc. (Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources) and Ph.D. (Evolution of Maize), University of Birmingham (England). Research interests include genetic diversity, issues related to germplasm access and benefit sharing, use of morphological and molecular data for variety identification, demonstrating the importance of sustainable use of genetic diversity to improve agricultural productivity, pedigree analysis of crop varieties and intellectual property protection. Responsibilities include technical support to secure Pioneer’s intellectual property rights and to demonstrate the important role of plant genetic resources in plant breeding. Dr. Smith serves on intellectual property committees of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), the International Seed Federation (ISF), and the Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO). He is a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America and received the 2005 ASTA Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award for service to the industry in the field of intellectual property protection. Dr. Smith is a Board member of Bioversity International (previously the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) of the CGIAR, the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders, a member of the advisory council of the Bioethics Program and Iowa State University, and a member of a CropLife International team focusing on germplasm access and benefit sharing. He recently represented industry through the International Chamber of Commerce at a technical expert meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity. He chairs the Pioneer DuPont Genetic Resources Issues Team, a group that was instrumental in securing a $1m contribution to the Global Crop Diversity Trust. He has published around 100 peer reviewed scientific papers. He is also Chair of the Orchestra Board of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.