USDA food safety leader Mindy Brashears to speak at UWRF

USDA food safety leader Mindy Brashears to speak at UW-River Falls

Oct. 1, 2026 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears will discuss food safety issues during a public presentation at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Brashears will speak from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Kinnickinnic River Theater in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave. The event is free and open to the public. 

A portrait of a woman with dark brown shoulder length curled hair. She's wearing a red blouse and a black blazer and is seated in front of the United States Flag and a flag with a U.S. seal on it.

Brashears’ research has focused on advancing food safety in meat and poultry production with a focus on public health, including interventions in pre- and post-harvest environments and antimicrobial drug resistance in animal feeding systems. Brashears has led international research teams focused on food safety, security and sustainable agriculture systems. Her research has resulted in more than 20 patents and patents pending for food safety innovations. 

“I have known Dr. Brashears for quite some time,” said Michael Orth, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “She has a tremendous wealth of knowledge and an outstanding research record that led to her being selected as a Horn Professor at Texas Tech University, the highest honor that can be awarded to a faculty member. She is a great fit for her position at the USDA. In addition, her varied experiences in the food science discipline provide a great example to food science students of the many unique opportunities available after graduation.” 

Christine Alvarado, who advises on food safety policy development in USDA’s Office of Food Safety, will also attend. Alvarado previously worked for the Office of Policy and Program Development, helping develop regulatory policy on meat, poultry and egg inspection and working to improve Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidance for industry. She also has an accomplished record during her time in academia, which focused primarily on poultry meat quality and food safety. 

Photo: Mindy Brashears. Contributed photo.