Shui-zhang Fei, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics, Iowa State University, Department of Horticulture, Ames, IA and adjunct faculty, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Dr. Fei received his B.S. in Agronomy and M.S. in Horticulture from China Agricultural University, Beijing, China and his Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The goal of Dr. Fei’s research is to determine genetic elements underpinning important agronomic traits including stress tolerance and nitrogen use efficiency. Dr. Fei’s group uses a variety of tools including classic genetics, whole plant physiology and molecular biology to address research questions under both controlled and field conditions. He had coordinated a multi-institutional research effort on identifying low input sustainable turfgrass species involving 10 major research universities in the Midwest and conducted national turfgrass evaluation trials. Dr. Fei regularly presents at the annual Iowa Turfgrass Winter Conference and Turfgrass Field Day. He is the current co-chair for the North Central Extension and Research Activity for turfgrass (NCERA-221). Dr. Fei teaches two graduate level courses: Growth and Development of Perennial Grasses and Crop Genetics.