A life shaped by science, guided by service

Long before she advised U.S. presidents and helped modernize the nation’s food safety systems, Catherine “Cathie” Woteki was a graduate student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, drawn to the possibilities at the intersection of science, nutrition, and public service.

After earning both her master’s and Ph.D. in human nutrition, foods, and exercise, she embarked on a career that would shape agriculture and science policy at national and global levels.

“I didn’t grow up in agriculture,” Woteki said. “But I was drawn to the connections between food, health, and science — and how they influence real lives and policy decisions.”

Woteki went on to serve in senior roles in two presidential administrations. From 1997 to 2001, she was appointed by President Clinton as the first undersecretary for food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she led sweeping reforms of the meat inspection system. Her introduction of science-based policies like hazard analysis and pathogen testing helped reduce foodborne illness nationwide.

Later, during the Obama administration, she returned to the USDA as chief scientist and undersecretary for research, education, and economics, overseeing four major research agencies. During that time, she helped launch the USDA’s first scientific integrity policy, spearheaded international open data initiatives, and co-founded the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists.

Between federal appointments, Woteki served as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University and later as global director of scientific and regulatory affairs for Mars, Inc.

“Serving as the dean of a land-grant university proved to me just how powerful these institutions truly are,” she said. “They go far beyond education — they drive discovery, serve communities, and fuel economic development. Their mission is rooted in accessibility and real-world impact, making them vital to the future of our nation.”

More recently, Woteki helped shape national and international policy as a member of President Biden’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. She currently serves as a commissioner on a National Academy of Medicine project developing strategies to help governments prioritize public health in their responses to climate change.

She and her husband, Tom — a three-time Virginia Tech alumnus, professor emeritus, and the founding director of the university’s Academy of Data Science — live in Rappahannock County, where they’re restoring their 25-acre farm by removing invasive species and reintroducing native plants to support local ecosystems. 

Looking ahead, Woteki is optimistic about the next generation of scientists emerging from land-grant universities like Virginia Tech, and she and her husband are generously helping to foster that process. They recently committed a $10 million estate gift to endow two professorships, a faculty fellowship program, and a graduate student fund in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as a chair position, faculty fellowship program, and graduate fellowship program in the College of Science.

“I’m envious of all the new tools students have today — from artificial intelligence to breakthroughs in genetics,” she said. “We’re going to see enormous advances in science that lead to greater global food security. Studying agricultural science offers a real opportunity to shape the future — and to do deeply rewarding work.”