The AACR 2026 Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Cancer Research
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has once again showcased the pinnacle of cancer research with its annual awards ceremony. This year's recipients are a testament to the dedication and innovation driving advancements in cancer research, therapy development, education, and mentorship.
One of the most prestigious awards, the AACR Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research Award, was presented to James P. Allison, PhD, FAACR. Allison's groundbreaking discovery of CTLA-4 as a negative regulator of T-cell activation has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. This single scientific insight has led to the development of first-in-class therapies, marking a significant shift in the field of cancer research.
Housheng Hansen He, PhD, received the AACR Outstanding Achievement in Basic Cancer Research Award for his contributions to cancer epigenetics and RNA medicine. His work on chromatin accessibility and epigenomic landscapes has provided valuable insights into tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.
John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, was honored with the AACR Outstanding Achievement in Blood Cancer Research Award for his work in leukemia and stem cell biology. DiPersio's research on graft-versus-host disease and the development of essential drugs like plerixafor and motixafortide has significantly impacted blood cancer treatment.
Cheryl H. Arrowsmith, PhD, was recognized for her groundbreaking work in chemistry research with the AACR Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research Award. Her studies on chromatin-associated proteins and their role in gene expression have paved the way for the development of chemical probes targeting epigenetic regulators.
Charles W.M. Roberts, MD, PhD, FAACR, received the AACR Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for his exceptional contributions to education and training in cancer research. His leadership and dedication to cancer research education have been instrumental in shaping the next generation of cancer scientists.
David L. Rimm, MD, PhD, was honored with the AACR James S. Ewing-Thelma B. Dunn Award for his innovations in quantitative biomarker science. His Automated Quantitative Analysis platform has transformed cancer diagnostics, enabling precise protein quantification in tissue specimens.
Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR, was awarded the AACR Margaret Foti Award for his leadership and achievements in cancer research. His work on melanoma biology and cancer immunotherapy, particularly the clinical development of pembrolizumab, has been transformative.
The Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) team received the AACR Team Science Award for their interdisciplinary research in cancer biology. Their comprehensive resource mapping genetic dependencies in cancer cells has revealed essential genes and pathways for tumor survival.
Elizabeth A. Platz, ScD, MPH, was honored with the AACR American Cancer Society Award for her research in cancer epidemiology and prevention. Her work on prostate cancer development and prevention has provided valuable insights into cancer risk and treatment.
Kenneth M. Murphy, MD, PhD, received the AACR Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology for his discoveries in dendritic cell subsets and their role in adaptive immune responses.
Andrew P. Feinberg, MD, MPH, was awarded the AACR G.H.A. Clowes Award for his outstanding basic cancer research. His work on epigenetic alterations in cancer has led to a deeper understanding of tumor initiation and progression.
Dennis Lo, DM, DPhil, was recognized with the AACR Irving Weinstein Foundation Distinguished Lectureship Award for his innovative discoveries in cancer research and leadership in the field.
Luis A. Diaz Jr., MD, FAACR, received the AACR Joseph H. Burchenal Award for his pioneering work in clinical cancer research, particularly in biomarker-driven immunotherapies.
Ahmedin M. Jemal, DVM, PhD, was honored with the AACR Minorities in Cancer Research Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship for his contributions to cancer research and the advancement of minority investigators.
David C. Lyden, MD, PhD, was awarded the AACR Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship for his research on tumor metastasis and the role of pre-metastatic niches.
Kimberly Stegmaier, MD, FAACR, received the AACR St. Baldrick’s Foundation Award for her genomic discoveries in pediatric cancer research.
Eliezer M. Van Allen, MD, was honored with the AACR Waun Ki Hong Award for his translational and clinical cancer research, particularly in targeted therapies and immune checkpoint blockade.
Maryellen L. Giger, PhD, received the AACR Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Lectureship for her contributions to cancer research and leadership in advancing women in science.
Douglas R. Lowy, MD, FAACR, and John T. Schiller, PhD, FAACR, were awarded the Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for their pioneering work in human papillomavirus vaccines and their global impact on cancer prevention.
These awards not only celebrate the recipients' achievements but also inspire the next generation of cancer researchers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in the fight against cancer.
