Biography:

 

Known for his work in genomics and precision cancer genomic medicine, Dr. Marra has demonstrated the pivotal roles that genomics can play in human health and disease research, including through contributions to the Human Genome Project, leading the first sequencing of the SARS coronavirus genome in 2003, and co-leading BC’s Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program, the first proof-of-concept study demonstrating the use of whole genome analyses in personalized cancer medicine. Over the course of his career, Marco has led numerous cancer projects, revealing new mutations, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in ovarian cancers, B cell lymphomas, brain cancers, breast cancers, medulloblastomas, leukemias, rhabdoid tumours and cervical cancers. His research has been instrumental in demonstrating the functional interplay between the cancer genome and epigenome.

Dr. Marra’s recognitions include: National Killam Prize in Health Sciences (2025), UBC University Killam Professor (2025), Officer of the Order of Canada (2024), Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (2020), the Don Rix Lifetime Achievement Award (2019), the Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research (2015), the Terry Fox Medal (2010) and the Order of British Columbia (2010). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2007) and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2009). His contributions to genome science were recognized with honorary degrees from Simon Fraser University (2004) and the University of Calgary (2005).