Biography: Kenneth W. Staley, M.D., M. P. A.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterproliferation
Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation

Dr. Staley is the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterproliferation in the Department of State’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. His portfolio includes preventing the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), international threat reduction, nuclear nonproliferation policies, tracking, controlling, and securing dangerous chemical and biological material, multilateral arms control, nonproliferation, WMD terrorism, disarmament issues, and responsible use of chemical and biological sciences.

Previously, Dr. Staley served as Director for Biodefense Policy at the White House Homeland Security Council, where he coordinated implementation of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza and the development of policies related to biodefense and the medical consequences of weapons of mass destruction. The Biodefense Directorate is responsible for coordination of U.S. Government preparedness and response activities for defending against intentional and naturally occurring biological threats and developed the National Strategy for Biodefense articulated in Biodefense for the 21st Century, the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza and the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy.

Prior to his service at the White House, Dr. Staley served as a State Department official in the Bureau of Arms Control, Office of Chemical & Biological Weapons Conventions, the principal entity responsible for negotiation, implementation and maintenance of chemical and biological weapons treaties. During his tenure, Dr. Staley developed policies for biological weapons non-proliferation and led United States Government preparation for the Biological Weapons Convention 2005 Meeting of Experts.

Dr. Staley received his M.D. at the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. He is an honors graduate of Washington University in Saint Louis where he received an A.B. in biology. Dr. Staley is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has also worked in management consulting.