Mario Capecchi, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Human Genetics and adjunct professor in the Department of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah. He is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, an active participant in the Sarcoma Services Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and member of the Nuclear Control of Cell Growth and Differentiation Program.

Capecchi studies cancer models in mice, experimental versions of cancer recreated in mice. In 2007, Capecchi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine/Physiology for his contributions to the development of “mouse knockout technology.” He has a particular interest in the study of sarcomas and focuses on unraveling the function of Hox, associated with cancer.

Capecchi received a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College, Ohio, and a PhD from Harvard University, Massachusetts.