Jeannine Cavender-Bares is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at University of Minnesota. Jeannine鈥檚 work focuses on the physiological and evolutionary dimensions of plant ecology that influence community assembly and ecosystem function. She is particularly interested in the genetic and evolutionary basis of variation in plant phenotypes and spectral properties that can advance remote sensing of biodiversity, particularly detecting change through time and its consequences for ecosystems. She is committed to advancing international efforts for global monitoring and assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services to aid management efforts towards sustainability.