Andrew Smith is an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois. His research focused on developing imaging and quantitative detection technologies to evaluate individual cells and individual molecules. He used optical imaging and analysis tools to increase the efficiency of transgenic modifications of crops for the RIPE project. Andrew earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry and doctorate in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals including Nature Communications and Journal of the American Chemical Society. Andrew maintains his role as associate professor of bioengineering at Illinois, and is also working as an associate professor of medicine at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine.