George Poste

George Poste

Chief Scientist & Regents Professor,
Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative
Other ASU affiliations
Regents Professor, School of Life Sciences
Senior Global Futures Scientist, Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
  • george.poste@asu.edu
  • Phone: 480-727-8662
  • Fax: 480-884-2040
  • 1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. SkySong - Suite 361F Scottsdale, AZ 85257
  • Mail code: 9908
    Campus: Tempe
  • ‌
Biography Research Teaching Public Work
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Long Bio

GEORGE POSTE Regents’ Professor and Del E. Webb Chair in Health Innovation Chief Scientist, Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative George.poste@asu.edu

(480) 965-4800

Dr. George Poste is the Del E. Webb Professor of Health Innovation and Chief Scientist at The Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative (CASI) at Arizona State University (ASU) (http://www.casi.asu.edu). This program integrates research in genomics, synthetic biology and high-performance computing to study the altered regulation of molecular networks in human diseases to develop new diagnostic tests for precision medicine and the remote monitoring of health status using miniaturized body sensors and mobile devices. He assumed this post in 2009. From 2003 to 2009 he directed and built The Biodesign Institute at ASU (https://biodesign.asu.edu/).

In January 2021 he assumed additional leadership of the new Institute for Future Health (IFH) a joint venture between ASU and the University of Arizona in precision health and digital health. This will focus on remote health monitoring technologies.

He has published more than 400 research papers and edited 14 books on pharmaceutical technologies, cancer and infectious diseases. He has received honorary degrees in science, law and medicine and was awarded the rank of Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to research and international security.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Exelixis, Caris Life Sciences, MediSix (Singapore) and the Scientific Advisory Boards of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan, Synthetic Genomics, Vir Biotechnology, iNanoBio and Haplogen GmbH (Vienna).

From 1992 to 1999, he was Chief Science and Technology Officer and President, R&D, of SmithKline Beecham (SB) (now GlaxoSmithKline). During his tenure at SB, he was associated with the successful registration of multiple drug, vaccine and diagnostic products. He has served on the Board of Directors of Illumina, Structural Genomix (acquired by Lilly), Orchid Biosciences (acquired by LapCorp), Anacor (acquired by Pfizer), diaDexus (acquired by Vaxgen), Monsanto (acquired by Bayer) and Advanced PCS (acquired by CVS-Caremark).

In 2004 he was named “R&D Scientist of the Year” by R&D Magazine, he received the Einstein award from the Global Business Leadership Council (2006), the Scrip Lifetime Achievement award voted by the leadership of the global pharmaceutical industry (2009) and the Arizona Bioindustry Association Pioneer Award (2016).

He is a Fellow of the U.K. Royal Society, the Royal College of Pathologists, the U.K. Academy

of Medicine and The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), a member of EU Academy of Sciences, the Council for Foreign Relations and the US Academy of Medicine Forum on Global Health. He served as a member of the Defense Science Board of the U.S. Department of Defense and currently serves on advisory committees for several U.S. government agencies in defense, intelligence, national security and healthcare and is an Ex-Officio Member of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. His areas of expertise in biosecurity focus on zoonotic emerging infectious diseases, dual-use research in biotechnology and synthetic biology and new diagnostic systems for global biosurveillance.

Education
  • Ph.D. University of Bristol, U.K. 1969
  • D.V.M. University of Bristol, U.K. 1966
  • D. Sc. University of Bristol, U.K. 1987
  • F.R.C. Path. Royal College of Pathologists, London, England 1989
  • Elected Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) 2021 
CV
Curriculum Vitae
Research Website URL
https://casi.asu.edu/
Google Scholar URL
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2022&q=George%20Poste&hl=en&as_sdt=0%…
Publications
  1. Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. (2022, July 8). Group of scientists, public health experts, policy researchers propose strengthening of US government's enhanced potential Pandemic Pathogen Framework and dual use research of concern policies. Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/news/center-news/2022-07-08-ePPP-sign-on-letter.html
  2. Ex Officio Member: Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. (2022). Boots on the Ground: Land-Grant Universities in the Fight Against Threats to Food and Agriculture. Washington, DC: Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/boots-on-the-ground-land-grant-universities-in-the-fight-against-threats-to-food-and-agriculture/
  3. Ott, CM, et al., (2021). Vision for the Next Generation of Spaceflight Microbiology: Human Health and Habitat Sustainability. Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023-2032 conducted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Washington D.C.  
  4. Nickerson, C.A., Medina-Colorado, A.A., Barrila, J. et al. A vision for spaceflight microbiology to enable human health and habitat sustainability. Nat Microbiol 7, 471–474 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-021-01015-6  
  5. Lennerz, J.K., Marble, H.D., Lasiter, L. et al. (2021). Do not sell regulatory science short. Nat. Med. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01298-6
  6. Ex Officio Member: Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. (2021). Saving Sisyphus: Advanced Biodetection for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/saving-sisyphus-advanced-biodetection-for-the-21st-century/
  7. Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. (2021). Insidious Scourge: Critical Infrastructureat Biological Risk. Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense: Washington, DC. https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/insidious-scourge-critical-infrastructure-at-biological-risk/
  8. Ex Officio Member: The Apollo Program for Biodefense. Winning the Race Against Biological Threats. Bipartisan Commission Report. (2021) https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/the-apollo-program-for-biodefense-winning-the-race-against-biological-threats/
  9. Moses, H., III and Poste, G. “Reducing Systemic Vulnerabilities in US Health Care.” National Academy of Engineering: Winter Issue of The Bridge on Complex Unifiable Systems. (2020) 50, (4) 50–52., www.nae.edu/244717/Reducing-Systemic-Vulnerabilities-in-US-Health-Care.
  10. Madhavan, G., Poste, G. and Rouse, W. (2020). Editors. National Academy of Engineering: Winter Issue of The Bridge on Complex Unifiable Systems., vol. 50, (4)  https://www.nae.edu/244665/Winter-Issue-of-The-Bridge-on-Complex-Unifiable-Systems  
  11. Panel Member. Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. Diagnostics for Biodefense – Flying Blind with No Plan to Land (2020) https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/diagnostics-for-biodefense-flying-blind-with-no-plan-to-land/
  12. Poste. G. (2020). Six Steps to Fix Our Public Health Agencies’ Testing Capabilities in the Pandemic. New America,https://www.newamerica.org/weekly/six-steps-to-fix-our-public-health-agencies-testing-capabilities-in-the-pandemic/
  13. Poste. G. (2020). Isaiah J. (Josh) Fidler, DVM, PhD, FAACR: In Memoriam (1936–2020)— A Visionary Research Career Dedicated to Understanding the Complexities of Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Research. DOI:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-1905 https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/80/15/3059
  14. Committee Member (2020). A Strategy for the Future of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory (ISSNL) and Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Development.
  15. Moses, H., III, Matheson, D.H.M. and Poste, G. (2019) “Serving Individuals and Populations Within Integrated Health Systems. A Bridge Too Far?” JAMA, 321, 1975, doi:10.1001/jama.2019.2929 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30920581/  
Courses
2020 Fall
Course Number Course Title
GSC 598 Special Topics
Presentations
  1. Poste, G. Phoenix Children’s Hospital (5.31.2022) The Strategic Landscape for the US Health Ecosystem and The Evolution of Precision Oncology: Challenges and Opportunities. Phoenix, AZ.
  2. Poste, G. Health Care Leadership (1.12.2022) Virtual Lecture. Healthcare Leadership Class (EMED 127/227) Stanford.
  3. Poste, G. Biosecurity: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge of Escalating Complexity and Urgency (12 Jan 2022) Virtual Lecture. Stanford BioSecurity Class
  4. Poste, G. Characteristics, Accomplishments and Challenges of Existing Systems. Virtual Forum on Complex Food and Agricultural Systems: Engineering for Sustainability and Resilience. (Sep 9, 2021)
  5. Poste, G. Diagnostic Tests: The Critical Element in Pandemic Control and Global Biosurveillance Against Infectious Threats. (BIOE 122: BioSecurity and Pandemic Resilience) Stanford University School of Medicine Virtual (27 Jan. 2021)
  6. Poste, G. Forging Agile Regulatory Frameworks in an Environment of Accelerating Technical Change. PIcc -The Alliance for Digital Pathology. Virtual.  (21 Jan. 2021)
  7. Poste, G. The COVID-19 Diagnostics: The Achilles Heel of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Control Efforts. ASU Diagnostics Roundtable (8 Dec. 2020)
  8. Poste, G. Planning for the Future (Nov. 23 – Dec. 4) Week 7. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  9. Poste, G. Pressing Threats II: New and Emerging Bioweapons (November 2020) Week 6. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  10. Poste, G. Pressing Threats I: New and Emerging Diseases and Patterns (November 2020) Week 5. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  11. Poste, G. Biosecurity: Domestic and International Institutions (November 2020) Week 4. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  12. Poste, G. Biological Warfare and Bioterrorism (October 2020) Week 3. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  13. Poste, G. History of Biosecurity Threats: Pandemic and Plagues (October 2020) Week 2. OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  14. Poste, G. Biosecurity: Overview (October 2020). OVERVIEW OF BIOSECURITY GSC 598 Fall 2020
  15. Poste, G. Biosecurity: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge of Escalating Complexity and Urgency. Oncology Impact Partners: Virtual Infectious Disease and Immunology Conference (Jun 14, 2020)
  16. Poste, G. The Biopharmaceutical Industry and the Healthcare Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities. ASU HSM 502 Spring 2020 McCord Hall 270 (Feb 6, 2020)
  17. Poste, G. Biosecurity: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge of Escalating Complexity and Urgency. BIOSECURITY AND BIOTERRORISM RESPONSE Winter 2020. Stanford University School of Medicine, Li Ka Shing room 130 (Jan 22, 2020)
  18. Poste, G. Precision Health and Digital Health: The Inter-Dependent Strategic Drivers of Innovation in Healthcare Delivery. EMED 227/127: HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP. Stanford University School of Medicine, Li Ka Shing room 130 (Jan 22, 2020)
  19. Poste, G. Development of Multi-Parameter Assays to Predict Therapeutic Response and Toxicity Risk in Immunotherapy. 26th International Molecular Med TRI-CON. San Francisco, CA (Mar 12, 2019)
  20. Poste, G.. Biosecurity: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge of Escalating Complexity and Urgency. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response. Stanford University School of Medicine (Jan 23 2019)
  21. Poste, G.. Challenges in Healthcare Innovation in An Era of Technology Acceleration, Convergence and New Value-Based Services. HEALTH CARE LEADERSHIP. Stanford University School of Medicine (Jan 23 2019)
  22. G. Poste. Precision Health and Digital Health: Evolving Inter-Dependencies in the Transformation of Health Care Delivery. Joint University Biomedical Innovation Task Force Meeting. University of Arizona (Tucson) (Oct 15 2018)
  23. G. Poste. Precision Health and Digital Health: Evolving Inter-Dependencies in the Transformation of Health Care Delivery. Joint University Biomedical Innovation Task Force Meeting. Scottsdale (Oct 1 2018)
  24. G. Poste. Cancer as a Complex Adaptive System: Cancer Progression, Evolutionary Dynamics and Implications for Treatment. BIO 302, September 26 – Lecture 10: Special Guest Lecture by Dr. George Poste. School of Life Sciences Building A, Classroom 191 (Sep 26 2018)
  25. G. Poste. Biodefense In The Age of Synthetic Biology and Precision Gene Editing. Global Security PLuS and New Approaches to Grey-Zone Threats. Australia (Sep 11 2018 - Sep 12 2018)
  26. G. Poste. Recorded session: Biodefense In The Age of Synthetic Biology and Precision Gene Editing.. Global Security PLuS and New Approaches to Grey-Zone Threats. Australia (Sep 11 2018 - Sep 12 2018)
  27. G. Poste. Immunophenotyping to Differentiate Responder and Non-Responder Patients in Cancer Immunotherapy. 6th Annual Immuno-Oncology Summit. Boston, MA (Aug 28 2018)
  28. G. Poste. What Needs to Be Done Differently in Cancer Control?. NASEM for Cancer Control in the United States, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Washington, DC. Washington, DC (Jun 7 2018)
  29. G. Poste. The Challenge of Comprehensive Cancer Control. NASEM for Cancer Control in the United States, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Washington, DC (Jun 6 2018)
  30. G. Poste. Mapping Complex Biological Information Networks to Develop Robust Biomarkers and Define Phenotypes. NBDA and CAS - Biomedicine* Think Tank II: CONNECTING THE DOTS. Phoenix, AZ (May 21 2018)
  31. G. Poste. Making Precision Medicine A Reality: Molecular Diagnostics, Remote Health Status Monitoring and the Big Data Challenge. Sixth Annual ASU Law GETS Conference. Phoenix, AZ (May 18 2018)
  32. G. Poste. Cancer: A Multi-Dimensional Problem Science, Medicine, Economics, Ethics, Fear and Emotion. BIO302, WEEK 16 - Lecture 24. Tempe Campus in the School of Life Sciences Building A, Classroom 191 (Apr 23 2018)
  33. Poste, G. Precision Health and Digital Health: Evolving Inter-Dependencies in the Transformation of Healthcare Delivery. 9th Siemens Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) Meeting. Farnham Castle, Farnham, UK (Mar 7 2018)
  34. G. Poste. Cancer as a Complex Adaptive System: Cancer Progression, Evolutionary Dynamics and Implications for Treatment. BIO 302, Lecture 12. ASU Tempe Campus, School of Life Sciences Building A, Classroom 191 (Feb 26 2018)
  35. Poste, G. Biosecurity: A Multi-Dimensional Challenge of Escalating Complexity and Urgency. Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response, Winter 2018 Course. Stanford University School of Medicine (Jan 24 2018)
  36. Poste, G.. Wearables, Apps and Big Data in the Age of Precision Medicine. Spring 2018/Study Group on Biological Revolutions. Center for Law, Science and Technology (Jan 11 2018)

Visit: https://casi.asu.edu/ for full list of presentations 

Honors / Awards
  • 1997 F.R.S.Elected Fellow, The Royal Society, London, England

  • 1999 C.B.E. Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Honours List, H.M. Queen

  • 2004 Award, Recipient of Scientist of the Year Award, R&D Magazine

  • 2006 Award, Einstein Award, Global Business Leadership Forum

  • 2009 Award, Scrip Lifetime Achievement Award from Pharmaceutical Industry Leadership Forum

  • 2013 Award, Recipient of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Outstanding Speaker  

  • 2015  Award, Listed in Scientific American 7th Annual WorldVIEW Scorecard Top 100 most influential people in                         biotechnology. June 2015

  • 2016 Award, Arizona Bioindustry Association Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement    

Editorships
  • 1985 – 1996 Founder and Member, Editorial Board, Cancer and Metastasis Reviews 
  • 1987 – 1995 Member, Editorial Board, Cancer Invasion and Metastasis
  • 1987 – 1999 Member, Editorial Board, Drug Targeting and Delivery
  • 1988 – 1995 Member, Editorial Board, Clinical and Experimental Metastasis
  • 1989 – 1999 Member, Editorial Board, International Journal of Pharmaceutics
  • 1990 – 1998 Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Drug Targeting 
  • 1992 – 1999 Member, Editorial Board, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Nature Bio/Technology
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Current Opinion in Biotechnology
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 
  • Current  Member, Senior Advisory Panel, Current Drugs 
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Pharmacogenomics
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Expert Opinion on Molecular Diagnostics
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, BioTechniques
  • Current  Member, Editorial Board, Health Security, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Professional Associations

Council for Foreign Relations

Elected Fellow, The Academy of Medical Sciences, London, England

Service
  • Sloan Foundation Expert Advisory Group on Influenza Pandemic Preparedness, Member (2009 - Present)
  • Synthetic Genomics, Scientific Advisory Board (2009 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, Bioterrorism and Biosecurity, Member (2008 - Present)
  • Caris Life Sciences, Vice Chairman (2005 - Present)
  • Burrill and Company, Advisory Board (2004 - Present)
  • Exelixis, Board Member (2004 - Present)
  • Exelixis, Board Member (2004 - Present)
  • Monsanto, Board Member (2003 - Present)
  • The Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, Forum on Microbial Threats, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Orchid Biosciences, Chairman (2002 - Present)
  • Defense Health Board, US Department of Defense, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • Defense Science Board, US Department of Defense, Member (2003 - 2009)
  • Orchid Biosciences, Chairman (2002 - 2009)
  • Sloan Foundation Task Force on Synthetic Biology, Member (2008 - 2008)
  • The Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, Committee Member (2006 - 2006)
  • Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, Committee Member (2005 - 2006)
  • Institute of Medicine: National Research Council, US National Academy of Sciences, Member (2005 - 2006)
  • The Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, Committee Member (2005 - 2005)
  • Threat Reduction Advisory Committee, United States Department of Defense, Member (2001 - 2005)
  • AdvancePCS, Board Member (2002 - 2003)
  • Board of Trustees; The International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Korea, Member (2000 - 2003)
  • Illumina, Board Member (2000 - 2003)
  • Maxygen, Board Member (2000 - 2003)
  • Structural GenomiX, Chairman (2000 - 2003)
  • diaDexus, Chairman (1997 - 2003)
  • Governing Board, Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University, Member (1993 - 2003)
  • Financial Times Annual Biotechnology Conference London, Chair (2003 - 2003)
  • Rand Critical Technologies Task Force on The Hybrid Carbon Silicon Brain, Committee Member (1998 - 2001)
  • Rand Critical Technologies Task Force on The Hybrid Carbon Silicon Brain, Member (1998 - 2001)
  • BP Technology Advisory Council, Member (1998 - 2000)
  • Board of Medical Governors, World Economic Forum, Davos, Member (1998 - 2000)
  • Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy, United States State Department, Member (Present)
  • Biological Weapons Working Group, National Academy of Sciences, Member (Present)
  • Board of Trustees; The International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Korea, Member (Present)
  • Board on Global Health, National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, Member (Present)
  • Committee on Advances in Technology and Next Generation Biowarfare Threats. Institute of Medicine: National Research Council, US National Academy of Sciences, Member (Present)
  • Defense Science Board, United States Department of Defense, member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Bioterrorism and Biosecurity, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Expert Opinion on Molecular Diagnostics, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Nature Bio/Technology, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Pharmacogenomics, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, Polymers in Medicine and Biotechnology, Member (Present)
  • Editorial Board, The Journal of Biolaw and Business, Member (Present)
  • Senior Advisory Panel, Current Drugs, Member (Present)
Expertise Areas
Remote Sensing
Cancer
Complex Systems
Disease Modeling
Healthcare Systems
Disease and Diagnostics
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