Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel is President of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). The scientific career of the veterinary, microbiologist and hygienist includes stations at universities in Hanover, Utrecht and Vienna. From 1997 to 2003 he was professor of animal hygiene and animal disease control as well as director of the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Public Veterinary Services of the University of Leipzig. In May 2003, he became the first president to join BfR, which was newly founded in 2002. Prof. Hensel is the German representative on the Scientific Advisory Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and honorary professor at the University of Leipzig and the Freie Universität of Berlin.