UNSW Alum Marc Chee Awarded Honorary Doctorate

World-renowned inventor, biotech entrepreneur and UNSW Science alum Mark Chee has been awarded an honorary doctorate at a recent graduation ceremony in Sydney.

In a career spanning more than three decades, Dr Chee has developed more than 100 U.S. patents and made significant contributions to biomedical research and precision medicine.

He has also played a major role in revolutionising DNA sequencing technology globally.

In his address to the ceremony, Dr Chee said he didn't allow an unconventional start to university – which included dropping out so he could travel instead – to define his future.

"I had a wonderful time travelling," he said in his speech.

"But after about a year I realised that something was missing, and that it came to me that I really wanted to learn."

It's a realisation that set him on the path from wandering young man to biotech industry titan.

Pioneering genomics

Since his uni days, Dr Chee's innovations have helped transform biomedical research and scientific discovery.

In April 1998, he co-founded the company Illumina, which is now a global leader in whole genome sequencing and is valued at 20 billion dollars.

Illumina's technology has made it possible to reach scientific milestones that would have been impossible even decades ago.

Per his honorary doctorate citation: "[Dr Chee's] co-invention of transformative DNA genotyping technology helped transform research in genetics by enabling large-scale genome-wide association studies."

Genomics sequencing is now cheaper and more accessible than ever, giving researchers new insights into fundamental biological questions.

Sequencing the first human genome cost over a billion dollars and took decades.

Now, the same sequencing can be done for less than $1,000 through Illumina platforms, such as those used by UNSW Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics.

Dr Chee's work allowed researchers during the early stages of the Coronavirus Pandemic to rapidly sequence and track the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

This technology has been a driving factor behind the growth of areas in precision medicine, such as targeted cancer treatment and even the new-and-upcoming CRISPR-based gene therapy.

Beyond human health, it has potential in the field of conservation genetics to protect our threatened species.

"Dr Chee’s work has fundamentally changed what is possible in life sciences research, from understanding the microbiome in our gut to helping livestock farmers manage the genetics of their herd" says UNSW Professor Marc Wilkins.

Through his contributions, biomedical researchers around the world are now equipped with remarkable new technologies for genomic research and discovery.

Pathway to success

Reflecting on his own journey, he offered words of advice to the graduating cohort:

“If you choose a worthy goal, not necessarily an easy one, and you have patience, and you don’t give up too easily, over time you can accomplish things that can surprise you beyond what you thought you’re capable of.”

“It’s the labour in pursuit of your aspirations and your dreams, and I think it can make for such a wonderful career to have something that you’re excited about.”

“My advice to you is to choose the hard and worthy challenge or aspiration. Give it the time and effort it deserves.”