APHIS Announces New BRS Branch Chiefs

Dear BRS Stakeholder,

Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) is pleased to announce Dr. Subray Hegde and Dr. Alan Pearson as new branch chiefs in BRS’ Biotechnology Risk Analysis Program (BRAP), formerly known as the Environmental Risk Analysis Program.  BRAP addresses potential plant pest risk of genetically engineered organisms by conducting risk assessments of these products.  The name has been changed to more accurately reflect the work of the program.

Dr. Hegde, who is leading the Plants Branch, has a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, with more than 10 years of academic experience researching genetics of weed evolution, crop-wild gene flow, and population genetics of wild relatives of crop plants.  Dr. Hegde has been with BRS for 8 years as biotechnologist conducting plant pest risk assessments and environmental assessments on regulated genetically engineered plants. 

Dr. Pearson, who is leading the Plant Pest and Protectants Branch, has a Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on cell biology in animal systems.  Dr. Pearson has been with BRS for 6 years, serving as a biotechnologist for the last 3 years conducting plant pest risk assessments and environmental assessments on regulated genetically engineered plants.  Prior to working as a biotechnologist, Dr. Pearson worked in BRS’ Office of Science.