Marco is a UBC Killam Professor in Medical Genetics and the Michael Smith Laboratories. Co-founder and Director of Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre for more than two decades, Marco is known for his work in genomics and precision cancer medicine.

Marco co-led numerous studies revealing new mutations, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in cancers. In 2003, he led the DNA sequencing of the agent causing SARS, revealing it to be a coronavirus and demonstrating that sequencing was feasible as part of a rapid response to an emerging infectious disease. Marco now co-leads the first program to use whole genome and transcriptome sequencing to personalize cancer medicine and works with the Terry Fox Research Institute to share experience, data and insights across Canada through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network.

Marco’s recognitions include: Officer of the Order of Canada, Order of British Columbia, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, the Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the Terry Fox Medal and the Don Rix Lifetime Achievement Award. His contributions to genomics were recognized with honorary degrees from Simon Fraser University and the University of Calgary.