Senior Science Advisor
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. David Christian “Chris” Hassell is
the Senior Science Advisor and Deputy Assistant Secretary within
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He recently
served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical
and Biological Defense, where he led research, development, testing,
and acquisition of technical solutions to counter chemical and biological
threats.
Prior to joining the Department of Defense,
Dr. Hassell was an Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), where he served as Director of the FBI Laboratory and Executive
Champion for LGBT concerns. He had previously held research and
leadership positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory and DuPont.
Dr. Hassell is an analytical chemist with
specialization in sensors, diagnostics and bioprocessing, and is
a Fellow of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy. He is a recipient
of the Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service (US) and the
Médaille de la Défense Nationale (France).