Dr. Marra has made significant contributions to genome science and health research. One major contribution was the construction of a human genome map. This key resource allowed an International Consortium to efficiently complete and make publicly available the human genome sequence. Dr. Marra’s mapping approach has been used to analyze more than 30 genomes from organisms of major importance to research. Another major contribution was in sequencing the SARS coronavirus genome. The speed of the sequencing and the availability of the sequence made international headlines, and emphasized the central role that genome science could play in combating emerging infectious diseases.