Awards and recognition
Professor Marco Marra appointed a University Killam Professor

Dr. Marco Marra.
We would like to extend our congratulations to Professor Marco Marra (Michael Smith Laboratories, Department of Medical Genetics), who has been newly appointed as a University Killam Professor.
The University Killam Professorship—the highest honour UBC can confer on a faculty member—recognizes exceptional teachers and researchers who are leaders in their fields, and who have received international recognition for their 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.
“I am honoured to be recognized by my institution, forever grateful for the opportunity to be an academic at UBC and humbled by the accomplishments of other awardees, past and present,” shares Prof. Marra following his appointment.
Congratulations once more, Professor Marra, on this well-deserved honour.
Quick links:
- Read the announcement from the Office of the Vice President, Research & Innovation about this year’s three new University Killam Professors
- Learn more about the University Killam Professors program
- Learn more about the Killam legacy at UBC