Dr. James Jones, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the University of Florida, received a PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University. He is internationally recognized as a leader in mathematical modeling of cropping systems; interactive effects of climate, soil, water, genetics, and management on productivity; climate risk management; resource use efficiency; decision support systems for agriculture; and integration of biophysical and economic models at farm, national, and international scales. Dr. Jones has helped develop and co-lead national and international transdisciplinary research programs, including the Florida Climate Institutes and the global Agricultural Model Intercomparison Project (AgMIP). Dr. Jones recently served as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation, where he co-led the initiative, “Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems,” and helped develop the funding opportunity, “Signals in the Soil.” He has served on the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is now helping to lead new initiatives to achieve a more sustainable circular bioeconomy system that benefits businesses, society, and the environment. Dr. Jones has published over 500 journal articles, authored or edited five books, and taught short courses around the globe on agricultural system modeling. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, Fellow member of the AAAS, ASABE, ASA, and SSSA professional societies, and he has received many other awards and recognitions.