Trained as a molecular biologist, Winsten served as co-editor of the three-volume work, Origins of Human Cancer with Nobel laureate James Watson and Howard Hiatt, dean of the Harvard School of Public Health.

[4] The Harvard Alcohol Project solicited involvement from the broadcasting industry to spread the concept not only through public service announcements and news coverage, but through the inclusion of designated driving themes and references in popular television programs.

[6][7] Sparking a national movement, with endorsements by renowned leaders in a broad range of professional fields,[8] the strategy pioneered by the campaign[9] was later emulated by other interest groups.

centered around the use of the "squash it" phrase and an associated hand gesture to promote a social norm of walking away from potentially violent confrontations by framing it as "cool" and smart, rather than cowardly.

[14] Winsten headed a communications task force which helped to plan the 1997 Presidents' Summit on America's Future in Philadelphia, chaired by General Colin Powell.