This award recognizes outstanding science that has the potential to inspire creative thinking and new directions in cancer research.
- 2013 Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard
- 2012 Bert Vogelstein
- 2011 Helen M. Blau
- 2010 Robert Tjian
- 2009 James R. Heath
- 2008 Sydney Brenner
- 2007 Alexander Varshavsky
- 2006 Phillip A. Sharp
- 2005 Leroy E. Hood
Prior to 2005, this award was known as the AACR Distinguished Lecture.
- 2004 Leland H. Hartwell
- 2003 James E. Darnell