1. Martin Evans is known, along with Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies, for his work in the development of the knockout mouse and the related technology of gene targeting, a method of using embryonic stem cells to create specific gene modifications in mice.
Martin Evans won a major scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge at a time when advances in genetics were occurring there and became interested in biology and biochemistry.
Martin Evans then went to University College London where he learned laboratory skills supervised by Elizabeth Deuchar.
Martin Evans genetically modified and implanted it into adult female mice with the intent of creating genetically modified offspring, work for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2007.
Martin Evans was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on 1 January 1941.
Martin Evans's father maintained a mechanical workshop and taught Evans to use tools and machines including a lathe.
Martin Evans was close to his grandfather who was a choir master at a Baptist Church for over 40 years, and whose main interests were music, poetry, and the Baptist Church.
Martin Evans's mother's brother was a professor of astronomy at the University of Cambridge.
Martin Evans liked science, and his parents encouraged his education.
Martin Evans remembers loving old science books and receiving an electric experimental set which he wanted for Christmas.
Martin Evans went to middle school at St Dunstan's College, an independent school for boys in South East London, where he started chemistry and physics classes, and studied biology.
Martin Evans worked hard studying for the University of Cambridge entrance exams.
Martin Evans won a major scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge, at a time when there were many advances in genetics being made.
Martin Evans studied zoology, botany and chemistry, but soon dropped zoology and added biochemistry, finding himself drawn to plant physiology and function.
Martin Evans went to seminars by Sydney Brenner and attended lectures by Jacques Monod.
Martin Evans graduated from Christ's College with a BA in 1963; although, he did not take his final examinations, because he was ill with glandular fever.
Martin Evans decided on a career examining genetic control of vertebrate development.
Martin Evans moved to University College London where he had a fortunate position as a research assistant, learning laboratory skills under Dr Elizabeth Deuchar.
Martin Evans became a lecturer in the Anatomy and Embryology department at University College London, where he did research and taught PhD students and undergraduates.
Martin Evans became a Knight Bachelor in the 2004 New Year Honours in recognition of his work in stem cell research.
Martin Evans received the accolade from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on 25 June 2004.
Martin Evans was appointed president of Cardiff University and was inaugurated into that position on 23 November 2009.
Martin Evans is an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge.
When Martin Evans was a student in Cambridge he met his wife, Judith Clare Williams, at a lunch held by his aunt, wife of an astronomy professor.
Martin Evans's granddaughter has graduated from the University of Nottingham and is a practicing medicine Yorkshire and Humber.
Martin Evans was diagnosed with breast cancer at about the time the family moved to Cardiff.