Marcus Pembrey is a clinical geneticist, and Founding Chair of Trustees at the Progress Educational Trust (PET) – a registered charity that works in the fields of genetics, assisted conception, embryo/stem cell research, and related areas. He is also Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Genetics at University College London’s Institute of Child Health, Visiting Professor of Paediatric Genetics at the University of Bristol, and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

He was previously Consultant Adviser in Genetics to the Chief Medical Officer at the UK Government’s Department of Health, President of the European Society of Human Genetics, Vice Dean of the Institute of Child Health, and a Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. He cofounded the International Federation of Human Genetic Societies, and his group helped to pioneer the use of DNA testing in genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis within the services provided to families threatened by serious genetic disease.

Alongside his research into rare genetic syndromes showing unusual patterns of inheritance, Marcus helped Professor Jean Golding establish the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) – also known as ‘Children of the 90s’ – and subsequently became the project’s Director of Genetics. ALSPAC is widely regarded as the most comprehensive general population birth cohort in the world, with a cell-lined backed DNA bank on more than 10,000 participants, their mothers and many fathers.

The focus of his current research is environmental epigenomics and transgenerational responses, and this is a subject he has discussed on TV programmes including the Channel 4 series Brave New World with Stephen Hawking, on radio programmes including the BBC Radio 4 series Frontiers, and at such PET events as ‘Does Genetics Matter? Help, Hype and the New Horizon of Epigenetics’ – which was the first public event to address epigenetics before a mixed lay and specialist audience.