BIO: David W. Ragsdale eared a Ph.D. (1980) in Entomology from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA where he worked on IPM of soybean insects. He joined the Entomology Department at the University of Minnesota in 1981 and is currently a full professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Entomology. His research has focused on vector ecology with an emphasis on aphid-transmitted viruses. With the recent invasion in the northern Great Plains of the soybean aphid, Ragsdale and his students have focused their research on the management of soybean aphid. His lab led the regional research that resulted in the current economic threshold for soybean aphid of 250 aphids per plant. This threshold is widely adopted throughout North America. In addition, he has collaborated broadly with scientist involved in biological control of soybean aphid, regulation of aphid populations by abiotic (weather) and biotic (predators and disease) factors and has helped soybean breeders across the region screen their advanced selections for resistance to soybean aphid.