Global Head of Business Relations Bayer CropScience (Monheim, Germany). Dr. Kern studied zoology, biochemistry, genetics and related sciences at Germany's Johannes Gutenberg University, where he conducted research on brain aging in insects. In 1984 he joined the biological research center of Hoechst AG/Frankfurt, where he was responsible for insect-resistance management and integrated crop management. In 1994 he joined the biological research department at AgrEvo GmbH and worked on insect physiology / pharmacology and genetically modified plants. He served as Head of Global Technology Communication within the Technology Strategy & Resources unit of Bayer Crop Science, and is currently Global Head of Business Relations at Bayer CropScience in Monheim, Germany. Dr. Kern's perspective, supported by his exemplary academic, research and professional experience, focuses on global developments in agriculture — safeguarding of world food supplies, innovations in the areas of plant production, food production, soil, water, climate, biodiversity, bioethics, renewable energy/resources, nano(bio)technology, technology and communication. A renowned speaker, Dr. Kern has conducted over 600 presentations at international congresses, conferences, symposiums and workshops including plenary talks in Hanover (EXPO 2000) and Pernegg, Austria (GlobArt Academy, 2001), the International Conference for Renewable Resources and Plant Biotechnology in Poznan, Poland (NAROSSA, 2005), the Summit for the Future "Visions & Strategies for 2020" in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Club of Amsterdam, 2005), the plenary opening lecture during the World Conference on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology in Geneva, Switzerland, 2006 and the Global Conference on Renewable Energy Approaches for Desert Regions in Amman, Jordan, 2006, among many others. Dr. Kern has more than 130 publications to his credit. He belongs to the editorial committees of various international scientific journals, is member of international advisory committees of several international congresses and conferences, and is active on the boards of various research-oriented organizations related to agriculture. In addition, he is a Senior Fellow of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Germany.