The ATM shares its congratulations with Dr. Marco Marra (Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine & Michael Smith Laboratories), who has recently been appointed two highly respected honours.
Amongst a large repertoire of research he has been conducting, Dr. Marra studies how genomic data can be used to provide details (for example, mutations and therapeutic targets for different types of cancer), leading to substantial breakthroughs (such as the ability to personalize cancer treatments for better success). This impact is exciting for the future of translational medicine.
In December 2024, it was announced that Dr. Marra has been appointed to the Order of Canada. Appointment to the Order of Canada is one of the most prestigious recognitions in Canada, reserved for those whose contributions to society are significantly impactful. The full details can be found here. In the announcement, the following information was cited by the Governor General of Canada:
“Dr. Marco Marra (Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Medical Genetics, Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre) was appointed to the Order for how he “propelled Canada to the forefront of genome research. A world-renowned scientist, he led large-scale initiatives and groundbreaking work in sequencing the SARS coronavirus genome, and highlighted the underlying causes of cancers and new treatment strategies. Formerly Director of Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, he continues the global fight against cancer.”
Now, in January 2025, it has been announced that Dr. Marra has also been appointed as one of three new University Killam Professors. The University Killam Professorship is the highest recognition for faculty at UBC, recognizing those with exceptional leadership, teaching, and research. The full details can be found here, including the following segment:
- The University Killam Professorship recognizes exceptional teachers and researchers who are leaders in their fields, and who have received international recognition for their talents and achievements.
Professor Marco Marra has demonstrated the pivotal role that genomics can play in human health and disease research, through contributions to the Human Genome Project, leading the sequencing of the SARS coronavirus genome and the first proof-of-concept study demonstrating the effective use of whole genome analyses in personalized cancer medicine. His research has uncovered new cancer mutations, candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and has been instrumental in demonstrating the functional interplay between the cancer genome and epigenome. Prof. Marra is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of British Columbia, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a laureate of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.