Dr. Marco Marra awarded a Tier 1 Health Canada Research Chair in Genome Science

TORONTO, Ontario, November 24, 2010 | The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, announced that the Government of Canada has made a major investment in the Canada Research Chairs Program, enabling Canada to strengthen its position as a world leader in university research and development. During a speech to kick off a two-day conference to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program, the Minister announced an investment of $275.6 million to fund 310 new or renewed Canada Research Chairs at 53 Canadian universities.

As Canada Research Chair in Genome Science, Dr. Marco Marra is identifying mutations and other genomic events that lead to currently incurable cancers. This goal has so far eluded scientists largely because of technological limitations. Marra’s research emphasizes developing and applying new technologies to overcome these limitations and to identify the most frequent genomic events that drive cancers. With information on such drivers at hand, new treatment strategies will emerge.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada Research Chairs Program,” said Chad Gaffield, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and head of the Canada Research Chairs Program steering committee. “Over the past 10 years, the program has been integral to funding research excellence in Canada and attracting and retaining renowned international experts at Canadian universities. The program has helped build world-class research centres across the country, propelled Canadian research leadership onto the world stage, and enhanced the education and training of thousands of domestic and foreign students.”

“The funding provided through the Canada Research Chairs Program allows Canadian universities to attract and retain the best and the brightest minds from around the world,” said Professor Paul Young, Chair of the Ontario Council of University Research and Vice-President, Research, at the University of Toronto. “This program is vital for Canada, since it contributes to the development of first-class training and competitive research in Canada and abroad.”

Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. For each Tier 1 Chair, the university receives $200,000 annually for seven years.

View the full list of chairholders announced today.