Risk Scientist
Mark R. Powell
Mark Powell serves as risk scientist in the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis (ORACBA).
In this role he conducts reviews of regulatory risk assessments for major USDA proposed rules affecting the environment, human health or human safety. Mark’s primary focus is on sanitary and phytosanitary risks (food safety and animal and plant health). He also participates in the interagency review of regulations and guidance of other Federal Agencies that could potentially affect issues of interest to the Department of Agriculture. Prior to joining ORACBA, Mark was a risk assessment team leader at the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and a Fellow at Resources for the Future, an environmental think tank. He has a Ph.D. in Ecology and an M.A. in Public Policy from Rutgers University.
