Professor Bruce M. Chassy is the Executive Associate Director of the Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois and is also Assistant Dean for Science Communications in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. He served as Head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois from 1989 to 2000. Dr. Chassy completed his undergraduate training in Chemistry at San Diego State University and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Cornell University. He was a research chemist at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) from 1968-1989.

Dr. Chassy’s research focused on the characterization and development of methods for the genetic manipulation of microorganisms used in food and dairy fermentations. His research experiences with the development of genetically modified microorganisms that are used in foods led him to an interest in food safety and the safety evaluation of "biotech foods."

In recent years Dr. Chassy has become active in the development of strategies for food safety evaluation and their application to the setting public policy. Dr. Chassy was appointed to the EPA FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel in 2004. Dr. Chassy served as an Expert on the WHO/FAO Joint Consultation on Food Derived from Biotechnology held in Geneva in May, 2000. Professor Chassy also served on the FDA Food Advisory Committee from 1995-1998. He is a Past-Chair of the Institute of Food Technologists' (IFT) Biotechnology Division and is a past Chair of the IFT Expert Panel on Food Safety and Nutrition. He recently chaired the writing of a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology entitled “Evaluation of the U.S. Regulatory Process for Crops Developed through Biotechnology (CAST, Oct. 2001). Dr. Chassy was a member of the ILSI Task Force which recently published a paper entitled: Nutritional and Safety Assessments of Foods and Feeds Nutritionally Improved through Biotechnology.