Mark Cantley has degrees in Mathematics, Economics, Operational Research, and Accounting and Finance. From 1999 to mid-2006 he was Adviser in the Directorate for Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food, of the Directorate-General for Research, of the European Commission, and prior to that headed the OECD's Biotechnology Unit. Earlier in his career, he worked in operational research and corporate and strategic planning. He has written extensively for professional and general publications.