Stephen Prior

tephen Prior set up the Health Policy Center in 2000, just in time to be a resource to federal and state governments in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist and anthrax attacks. As a microbiologist with 20 years of experience in studying potential bioterrorism agents, he has been in demand ever since.

Prior is now conducting a study for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looking at the psychosocial aspects of the recent SARS outbreak, so that the findings can be applied to any future bioterrorism incident. In particular, Prior is studying the public's response to bioterrorism and how it would be influenced by what could and couldn't be done in terms of containment and treatment. Prior is also working with Missouri on that state's preparedness plans, and he consults regularly with the House and Senate Armed Services committees.

Prior, 46, was raised in London and remains a citizen of the United Kingdom, although he is currently seeking dual citizenship in the United States. He received undergraduate degrees in microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Kent and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Warwick University.

After college, Prior worked for 15 years at a biotechnology company based in the U.K., where he directed research on pharmaceutical products and diagnostics. He helped develop a U.K. government center to research public health concerns related to biological warfare. After that, Prior won a U.S. contract for his company to provide a capability to supply vaccines and other medical countermeasures to the U.S. military.

After the Persian Gulf War, Prior became involved in the U.S. effort to secure Food and Drug Administration licenses for Defense Department vaccines. "The goal was to organize 30 years of research and development on the part of DoD into a coherent program," Prior said.