Christina Devorshak is currently detailed to the Secretariat of the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) as an Agricultural Officer. More recently, she joined the USDA APHIS PPQ Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Lab (PERAL) as a risk analyst in 2004. As a risk analyst, she works on analyzing risks associated with trade in agricultural products, both for import and export. Prior to working with APHIS, she earned a B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College in 1991, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Entomology and Toxicology from North Carolina State University in 1994 and 1999 respectively. Her graduate research focused on biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance and detoxication mechanisms in insects. After completing her Ph.D., she worked for 5 years in the Secretariat of the IPPC. She participated in a wide range of activities dealing with international harmonization of phytosanitary measures, addressing SPS issues related to plant protection, development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), dealing with cross-cutting issues between the IPPC and CBD (including LMOs and invasive alien species), providing training on risk analysis and phytosanitary capacity building. Her current work in the IPPC is focused on development of new ISPMs, coordination of expert working groups and liaison with other international organizations, including the CBD.
