Professor Richard Marais FMedSci FRS

Richard Marais is co-Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Oncodrug Ltd, a biotech company he founded with Caroline Springer in Manchester. Prior to that he was Director of CRUK Manchester Institute and Professor of Molecular Biology at The University of Manchester.  His studies on BRAF and cell signalling significantly advanced understanding of melanoma biology and aetiology.  He translated his basic research discoveries into clinical implementation, improving patient outcomes, elucidating mechanisms of drug resistance and developing new drugs against BRAF and other cancer targets.  His research informs innovative clinical trial designs with signal seeking biomarkers to monitor therapy responses and optimise patient treatment.  His research also highlights the importance of combining sunscreen with other sun avoidance strategies to reduce population melanoma risk.  Professor Marais continues to study the basic biology of melanoma and other cancers in order to deliver better treatment strategies for patients.  With colleagues, he received the 2012 AACR Team Science Award for cancer drug discoveries.  He received the 2017 Translational and Clinical Research Award from The ARC Foundation Le´opold Griffuel Awards and the 2017 Outstanding Research Award from The Society of Melanoma Research. He is dedicated to providing exceptional training for the next generation of multi-disciplinary cancer researchers.

Subject groups

  • Biochemistry and molecular cell biology

    Biochemistry and molecular biology, Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology), Molecular immunology

  • Microbiology, immunology and developmental biology

    Cellular pathology, Genetics (excluding population genetics)

  • Other

    Science policy

Professor Richard Marais FMedSci FRS
Elected 2018