Blake Su is a third year undergraduate pursuing degrees in both biological sciences and political science, alongside a certificate in cross-sector leadership through ASU’s Next Generation Service Corps program. Born and raised in Chandler, Arizona, Blake is passionate for a variety of policy areas which impact his community, ranging from sustainability and the impact of car-centric infrastructure, to equity in biomedical and scientific research, and access to healthcare.

Currently, Blake is a research fellow under Dr. Lee Voth-Gaeddert within the Center for Health Through Microbiomes at ASU’s Biodesign Institute, studying optimal methods for mitigating the spread and impact of carcinogenic aflatoxin in Guatemalan maize harvests and how to improve connections between STEM experts and diplomats. Additionally, Blake serves as the Outreach Operations Lead for ASU’s Next Generation Service Corps, focusing on increasing recruitment and retention of under-represented student communities in the program. Blake is also a Lincoln Undergraduate Scholar, engaging in discussions on how to ethically approach and manage emerging technologies, ranging from AI to biotechnology.

Blake has gained experience performing research in the field of computational genomics and evolutionary biology as a member of the ASU SEA-PHAGES program, and in public health as a behavioral healthcare access research intern within the ASU College of Health Solutions. Blake has also spent time in grassroots organizing as a project manager associate within ASU’s Office of University Affairs, collaborating with students, ASU Counseling, and local non-profits to increase behavioral healthcare access within Phoenix’s Maryvale Village.

Blake was a member of the ASU Sacramento Scholars program, serving as an intern to California State Senator Scott Wiener. Here Blake continued to be engaged with healthcare through performing legislative research and meeting with related interested groups, helping to develop policy which reflected the public health needs of California. This includes assisting with legislation for an insulin price cap and expanding access to PrEP and PEP HIV prevention treatments for LGBTQ+ communities. He has also engaged in science policy directly, serving as an intern at the United States Department
of State in the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He focused primarily on biomanufacturing and the international bioeconomy, but also worked on increasing science, technology, and innovation engagements with African research institutions and projects related to open science. 

Blake anticipates earning a masters degree in biology as a part of ASU’s accelerated 4+1 program, going on to attend law school, and eventually working at the intersection of policy relating to biotechnology, healthcare, and social justice.