Mindy Brashears, a nationally recognized food safety expert and two decade-plus academic leader within Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to return as the Department of Agriculture’s under secretary for food safety.
The Senate confirmed Brashears on Thursday (Dec. 18), filling a post that had been vacant for nearly a year.
“Dr. Brashears exemplifies the values of Texas Tech University and the Davis College’s Pursuit of Prime,” said Lowell Randel, executive director of the university’s Agricultural Policy Advocacy Program. “Her confirmation as under secretary further demonstrates the high-quality leadership and nationally recognized expertise represented by the Davis College.”
In her role, Brashears will be responsible for overseeing the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Additionally, she’ll head the Office of Food Safety, the mission area dedicated to carrying out the administration's food safety priorities, as well as overseeing the policies and programs of the Food Safety & Inspection Service, the USDA's public health regulatory agency, and chair the U.S. Codex Steering Committee.
“Dr. Brashear’s expertise in food safety and previous administration experience will bring great value to USDA and beyond,” said Darren Hudson, associate dean for strategic initiatives and assessment in Davis College.
“Her position raises the visibility of Davis College at the national level and places someone with a wealth of understanding about animal agriculture and food safety in a critical policy position,” he said. “We are very proud of her contributions to Davis College and look forward to her positive impact on USDA.”
Brashears previously served as under secretary from 2019 to 2021. During that time, she played a central role in maintaining continuity in the nation’s food supply chain and oversaw major regulatory initiatives, including the modernization of federal swine and egg inspection systems.
Her return to Washington again takes her from Texas Tech, where she is a professor of food safety and public health in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences and director of the university’s International Center for Food Industry Excellence.
At Texas Tech, Brashears holds several of the institution’s highest academic honors. She is a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor and the Roth & Letch Family Endowed Chair for Food Safety (2018). She has also been recognized nationally for her contributions to the field, including being named a Signal Service Fellow by the American Meat Science Association in 2025.
She has served on the board of directors for the International Stockman’s Education Foundation, is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and participates on the development council of the American Meat Science Association and the academic advisory panel for the Protein Pact.
Brashears’s research has focused on food safety interventions before and after harvest, as well as the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Much of her work centers on meat and poultry products, with additional research involving produce such as spinach. Her research has led to the commercialization of pre-harvest feed additives designed to reduce E. coli and Salmonella in cattle.
Brashears earned her bachelor’s degree in food technology from Texas Tech and her master’s and doctoral degrees in food science from Oklahoma State University.
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
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