He received a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, San Francisco, in 1989. Hay is a biologist who uses genetic and developmental tools to understand and manipulate the biology and genetics of wild populations. He is using his Pioneer Award to pursue a strategy for preventing malaria in humans by introducing genes that block transmission of the disease into populations of wild mosquitoes. Hay’s honors include awards from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the Ellison Medical Foundation as well as a Searle Scholar Award.