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Awards and recognition

Killam Prizes in Health Sciences and Engineering awarded to MSL faculty members

MSL faculty members Drs. Marco Marra and Peter Zandstra have been recognized for their impactful research by the Killam Trusts. Dr. Marra (MSL, Department of Medical Genetics) was awarded the Killam Prize in Health Sciences, and Dr. Zandstra (MSL, School of Biomedical Engineering) was awarded the Killam Prize in Engineering.

Among Canada’s most distinguished research awards, the Killam Prizes recognize “active Canadian scholars who have distinguished themselves through sustained research excellence, making a significant impact in their respective fields.” Each year, Killam Prizes are awarded to researchers across the fields of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering.

Dr. Marco Marra. Credit: BC Cancer

Dr. Marra is known for his leading research in the field of genomics, and specifically of precision cancer genomic medicine. His lab uses DNA sequencing to identify mutations in cancer cells that help those cells resist cancer treatment. Having this understanding of how an individual’s cancer cells resist treatment then opens doors to finding new treatment options to improve outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

“I feel very honoured to be recognized with the 2025 Killam Prize in Health Sciences. I know that the Killam Prize will create vital opportunities to discuss the importance of cancer research, and how we can translate our research into improved care for cancer patients right here in Canada,” shares Dr. Marra.

His leadership in this area is evident through his roles in the Personalized OncoGenomics program with BC Cancer, as well as the pan-Canadian Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, initiated by the Terry Fox Research Institute.

“While these are still early days in our work, I’m delighted to be a part of these outstanding initiatives that connect medical oncologists with genomics researchers to truly make an effort to further personalized cancer genomic medicine to the benefit of all Canadians.”

In addition to his more recent focus on precision cancer medicine, his contributions to the field of genomics date back to the Human Genome Project and the first sequencing of the SARS coronavirus genome in 2003. He also plays a key role in educating the next generation of genomics researchers as a leader in the Genome Science and Technology Graduate Program and the Bioinformatics Graduate Program at UBC.

In celebrating this award, Dr. Marra reflects on the potential impacts of genomic medicine.

“Technology advances, including in genomics, have a major role in helping tackle the big health challenges we face. In addition to increasingly improved alignment of cancer patients to the therapies that best help them fight cancer, we will see advances in helping identify families at risk of developing cancer, and monitoring them to detect it at early, curable stages. And, as we work on improved data sharing at local, regional and national levels, we will have numerous opportunities for system-wide health impacts through genomics.”

Dr. Peter Zandstra

Dr. Zandstra’s research focuses on stem cell-derived tissue development and therapeutic applications. He is renowned in his field for his contributions to stem cell bioengineering and regenerative medicine, and is a strong advocate for advancing growth and research in the biotech sector. He is a leader in both the School of Biomedical Engineering and Michael Smith Laboratories where he merges technological innovation with biology to shape future biotech leaders.

“I am grateful for this recognition. The Killam Award allows us the time and the space to advance research in our lab. It provides us the resources to develop new therapies for immune disorders and cancers, such as leukemia,” comments Dr. Zandstra.

In addition to the groundbreaking research that his lab is working on to engineer the human immune system, he is the driving force behind the first purpose-built biomedical engineering building in Canada at the School of Biomedical Engineering, slated to open this spring.

“The new School of Biomedical Engineering building provides space for collaborations with researchers both at UBC and beyond. It has given us space to incubate more ventures that will spin off into the Vancouver biotech sector. It also provides us with more resources to develop therapies locally that will ultimately help the patient’s health and the Canadian economy.” 

In addition to his leadership at UBC, Dr. Zandstra is the Chief Scientific Officer of CCRM, a Toronto not-for-profit organization focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine technologies, and also co-founded ExCellThera and Notch Therapeutics.

He also takes his role in advocating for advancing research seriously.

“Ultimately, we have an opportunity to become a leader in the biotech sector and we need resources and support to be able to do this. By crafting new policies to ensure health innovations are developed, tested and deployed locally and strengthening location manufacturing of medical supplies, diagnostics and therapeutics we will benefit national health security, industry growth and innovations.”  

We’re honoured to have two of our faculty members recognized for their outstanding work in their fields, celebrating together their positive impacts on human health and therapeutic discovery in Canada. Congratulations, Drs. Marra and Zandstra!

 

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