USDA-FSIS Announces Dr. Michelle Catlin as New Chief Scientist
Image credit: USDA
Effective December 31, 2023, Michelle Catlin, Ph.D. will serve as Chief Scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS). In this role, Dr. Catlin will serve as the main scientific advisor on matters of public health and food safety that affect the mission of the agency, with primary responsibility for scientific initiatives within the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS).
Dr. Catlin has more than 20 years of experience in the public health field. From 1999–2004 she worked for the National Academy of Sciences, after which she joined FSIS as a senior scientist. Dr. Catlin most recently served the agency as the International Coordination Executive, overseeing all of FSIS’ international activities. Dr. Catlin holds a B.S. degree in life sciences and an M.S. degree in pharmacology from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada, as well as a Ph.D. in toxicology from the Department of Environmental Health of the University of Washington at Seattle.
Additionally, Margaret Burns-Rath, J.D., M.P.H., who is currently serving as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of International Coordination, will succeed Dr. Catlin as the International Coordination Executive.
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