Dr. Marco Marra, OBC, PhD, FRS(C), FCAHS

Introduction to the Genome Sciences Department and the Genome Sciences Centre

I am pleased to serve as the Head of the Genome Sciences Department and the Director of the Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) at the BC Cancer Agency. The Genome Sciences Department is composed of 13 Principal Investigators with diverse interests revolving around the development or application of genomic, bioinformatic or proteomic assays to pressing problems in human health, particularly cancers. The Genome Sciences Centre is an internationally acclaimed technology cluster that encompasses DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, proteomics and technology development.

The Marra Lab

My individual laboratory within the Department is currently composed of 1 postdoctoral fellow, 2 staff scientists, 1 production coordinator, and 6 graduate students. Graduate students are in the UBC Bioinformatics Training Program; UBC Genome Sciences and Technology Program (GSAT); and the UBC Medical Genetics Program. Trainees are working on characterizing cancer driver mutations and other alterations relevant to cancer, or on projects designed to identify and study critical cancer genes and pathways.

For a copy of my current complete CV, please click here.

Lab members and their projects can be viewed here.

Honors and Awards

• Outstanding Achievements in Cancer Research Award, Canadian Cancer Research Alliance, 2017
• Highly Cited Researcher and named as one of the 2016 World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds (highlycited.com) 
• 2016 BC Health Care Award of Merit for Collaborative Solutions (for BC Cancer Agency’s Personalized Onco-Genomics Project (co-led with Dr. J. Laskin), Health Employers Association of British Columbia
• Highly Cited Researcher and named as one of the 2015 World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds (highlycited.com) 
• Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research, University of British Columbia, 2015
• Highly Cited Researcher and named as one of the 2014 World's Most Influential Scientific Minds (highlycited.com)
• 2013 Killiam Research Prize, University of British Columbia, 2014
• Lions Club International Medal of Merit, 2012
• Distinguished Achievement Award, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2012
• Canada Research Chair in Genome Science, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2010
• Terry Fox Medal Award, British Columbia Medical Association, 2010
• Order of British Columbia, Province of British Columbia, 2010
• Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence, LifeSciences British Columbia, 2010
• Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, 2009
• Frontiers in Research Award, British Columbia Innovation Council, 2008
• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada, 2007
• Merck Frosst Prize, Canadian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, 2007
• Career Investigator Award (Senior Scholar level), Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 2006-2011
• Distinguished Achievement Award, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2006-2007
• President's 40th Anniversary Award, Simon Fraser University, 2006
• Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws,  University of Calgary, 2005
• The Best of the Best of Canada's Top 40 Under 40, The Caldwell Partners Int'l, 2005
• Terry Fox Young Investigator Award, National Cancer Institute of Canada, 2004
• Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science, Simon Fraser University, 2004
• Innovation and Achievement Award (to entire GSC staff), LifeSciences BC (formerly BC Biotech), 2004
• Career Investigator Award (Scholar level), Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, 2001-2006
• Top 40 Under 40 Award, The Caldwell Partners Int'l, 2000
• Notable Canadian 35 and Under, The Globe and Mail, 2000
• Outstanding Alumni Award for Academic Achievement, Simon Fraser University, 1999