George Poste graduated in veterinary medicine and obtained his Ph.D. in virology at the University of Bristol, U.K., in 1969. He joined the pharmaceutical company Smith Kline and French Laboratories in 1980 and, between 1992 and 1999, was named chairman of research & development and chief science and technology officer for SmithKline Beecham. Professor Poste is currently chief executive of Health Technology Networks, a US-based consulting group specializing in the application of genetics and computing in healthcare and bioterrorism defense. In 2003 he was appointed director of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, a new initiative combining diverse research groups to tackle problems on a global scale. Key projects include a system to clean harmful chemicals from drinking water, methods to produce safe, low-cost vaccines and renewable energy initiatives, including a new source of biofuel and improved solar power.