José Falck-Zepeda is a Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI. His work at IFPRI focuses on the economics and impact assessment of biotechnology, biosafety and emerging technologies. In addition, José focuses on agricultural R&D policy and technological innovation in developing countries. Prior to joining IFPRI, Dr. Falck-Zepeda worked as a Research Fellow at the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) in The Hague, the Netherlands. He also was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Auburn University, Alabama, and Assistant Professor and an Instructor at the Pan-American Agricultural School (Zamorano University) in Honduras. A citizen of Honduras, he holds an Agrónomo Degree from Pan-American Agricultural School (Zamorano University), a BS degree (Animal Science) from Texas A&M University, and MS and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

Bernadette Juarez was appointed Deputy Administrator for USDA’s Biotechnology Regulatory Services in August 2019. In this role, she provides leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of organisms developed using genetic engineering. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Juarez served as Deputy Administrator for Animal Care since 2016, where she led the program’s many employees in protecting and ensuring the welfare of millions of animals nationwide that are covered under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection Act (HP). Ms. Juarez previously served as Investigative and Enforcement Services’ Deputy Director beginning in 2009, and then as Director starting in 2013, where she led investigations of alleged violations involving APHIS-administered laws and pursued enforcement actions where warranted. Ms. Juarez was a trial attorney in USDA’s Office of the General Counsel from 2002 to 2009. In 1999, Ms. Juarez completed her bachelor’s in business administration from the University of New Mexico. She went on to earn her juris doctor from American University, Washington College of Law, in 2002.