Andrew McDonald earned his PhD (2003) from Cornell University. He is an Associate Professor in the Soil and Crop Sciences Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University (USA) with a joint appointment in the Department of Global Development. He is a cropping systems ecologist who addresses global challenges to agricultural sustainability and food security through process-based agronomy, integrated systems analysis, development of decision frameworks, and by fostering innovation alliances to support sustainable rural development. Much of his current research program is anchored in South Asia where he previously led the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT’s) sustainable intensification program, including the eco-regional Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (www.csisa.org).