The Americas Fellows Exchange Program was initiated by President Bush to promote excellence in government. Announced at the Quebec Summit of the Americas, this initiative comprises exchanges of outstanding mid- and senior-level government officials from throughout the Western Hemisphere's democracies.

Dr. Keller, who will be traveling to Mexico, is the first participant from the U.S. government selected to participate in the hemispheric government-to-government exchange program.

"Our Department is honored to have FDA place our first participant in this one-of-a-kind program, " said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "HHS is proud to be among the first departments to take part in this important program to strengthen cooperation and understanding in the Americas."

Dr. Keller will work with the Mexican Ministries of Health and Agriculture. He will use his expertise in microbiology to work with the Mexican government on Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices, as well as imported produce safety initiatives -- programs designed to benefit food safety on both sides of the United States/Mexican border.

"We believe this program provides an excellent opportunity to advance the public health interest of all of the countries throughout our hemisphere," said Dr. Lester M. Crawford, FDA Deputy Commissioner.

Dr. Keller currently serves as a Consumer Safety Officer in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's (CFSAN) Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages. As a microbiologist, he is active in the development and implementation of domestic and international produce safety programs. Prior to coming to FDA, he was a Microbiology Manager for Lipton-Unilever.

Dr. Keller is a graduate of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. He received his master's degree in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism from Eastern Michigan University, and received his Ph.D. in Food Science and Microbiology from the University of Florida.