Skyhawk Therapeutics Founding Scientific Advisory Board Chairman Receives American Cancer Society's Medal of Honor

Dr. Tyler Jacks recognized for his pioneering work in cancer research and treatment.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:19am

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Skyhawk Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that Dr. Tyler Jacks, the founding chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board, has been awarded the American Cancer Society's prestigious Medal of Honor. Dr. Jacks, a renowned cancer researcher and professor at MIT, has made significant contributions to the field of cancer biology and treatment through his work on genetically engineered mouse models and his leadership in various cancer research organizations.

Why it matters

The Medal of Honor is the American Cancer Society's highest award, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship. Dr. Jacks' recognition highlights the importance of his work in developing innovative approaches to understanding and addressing the complexities of cancer, which has had a significant impact on the field and the lives of patients.

The details

Dr. Jacks is a pioneer in the use of genetically engineered mouse models to study difficult-to-treat human cancers. His research has helped scientists understand how tumors start, evolve, and respond to treatment. At his MIT lab, Dr. Jacks and his team have studied the role of key genes, including tumor suppressors, oncogenes, and DNA repair genes, in cancer progression and treatment resistance. He has also conducted extensive research on the immune system's interaction with developing cancers.

  • Dr. Jacks received the American Cancer Society's Medal of Honor in 2026.

The players

Dr. Tyler Jacks

The founding chairman of Skyhawk's Scientific Advisory Board, founder of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and professor of biology at MIT. He is a pioneer in the development and use of genetically engineered mouse models to study difficult-to-treat human cancers.

Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert

A co-founding member of Skyhawk's Scientific Advisory Board and the President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Bill Haney

The co-founder and CEO of Skyhawk Therapeutics.

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What they’re saying

“Tyler Jacks is a truly extraordinary scientist and leader across many fields and organizations. His recognition from ACS is richly deserved.”

— Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, Co-founding member of Skyhawk's Scientific Advisory Board and President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

“Tyler has worked for decades with creativity, passion, talent and a blessed knack for collaboration to reduce the burden cancer and other hideous diseases impose on patients and their families. I'm delighted to see his dazzling accomplishments as scientist and institution builder recognized by the ACS, America's most well-known cancer institution.”

— Bill Haney, Co-founder and CEO of Skyhawk Therapeutics

What’s next

The American Cancer Society will formally present the Medal of Honor to Dr. Jacks at a ceremony later this year.

The takeaway

Dr. Tyler Jacks' recognition with the American Cancer Society's Medal of Honor underscores his pioneering contributions to cancer research and treatment, which have had a significant impact on advancing the field and improving the lives of patients. His work on genetically engineered mouse models and his leadership in various cancer research organizations have been instrumental in driving progress in the fight against this devastating disease.