Edison Liu, M.D.

President and CEO

Conducts research focused on the functional genomics of breast cancer through an exploration of the entire genomic space.

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About Edison T. Liu, M.D.

Dr. Liu is the president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory. Previously, he was the founding executive director of the Genome Institute of Singapore (2001-2011), and was the president of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) from 2007-2013. Between 1997 and 2001, he was the scientific director of the National Cancer Institute's Division of Clinical Sciences in Bethesda, Md., where he was in charge of the intramural clinical translational science programs.

From 1987 to 1996, Dr. Liu was a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Breast Cancer; the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology at UNC's School of Public Health; chief of Medical Genetics; and the chair of the Correlative Science Committee of the national cooperative clinical trials group, CALGB. Dr. Liu is an international expert in cancer biology, genomics, human genetics, molecular epidemiology and translational medicine.

Dr. Liu's own scientific research has focused on the functional genomics of human cancers, particularly breast cancer, uncovering new oncogenes, and deciphering on a genomic scale the dynamics of gene regulation that modulate cancer biology. He has authored over 300 scientific papers and reviews, and co-authored two books. He obtained his B.S. in chemistry and psychology, as well as his M.D., at Stanford University. He served his internship and residency at Washington University's Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, followed by an oncology fellowship at Stanford. From 1982 to 1987 he was at the University of California, San Francisco, at the G.W. Hooper Foundation.

Grants, honors and accomplishments

2014 April - 2014 Chen Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement in Human Genetic and Genomic Research (from the Human Genome Organization)

2013 January - Elected, Fellow of the Connecticut Academy of Sciences and Engineering

2010 October - Fellow of the Hastings Center (New York, Elected Membership)

2010-2013 - Re-elected - President, Human Genome Organization (HUGO)

2008 - Elected, Foreign Associate Member, European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

July 2007 - Awarded Doctor of Medical Sciences honoris causa, Queen’s University, Belfast September

June 2007-2010 - Elected – President, Human Genome Organization (HUGO)

September 2003 - Public Service Medal (National Day, 2003): for work in controlling SARS in Singapore (given by the Office of the President, Republic of Singapore)

April 2000 - Rosenthal Award, AACR: for the discovery that HER-2 status determines response to adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin.

April 1999-2001 - Elected-Board of Directors, American Association for Cancer Research

October 1996 - 1996 Brinker International Award for Breast Cancer Research - Basic Research Award

July 1995 - American Society of Clinical Investigation (Elected Membership)

December 1991-November1996 - Leukemia Society Scholar

October 1990-1993 - Komen Foundation Award for Breast Cancer Research (funding fellow salary)

July 1990-June 1994 - Jefferson Pilot Award: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Junior Faculty Award for Research Excellence

July 1985-1988 - Clinical Investigator Award, National Cancer Institute, K08- CA01036-02, Preceptor: Dr. J. Michael Bishop.

September 1983-1985 - Damon Runyan Cancer Fund Fellowship Preceptor: Dr. J. Michael Bishop (UCSF)

July-September 1974 - Ford Foundation Fellowship for Intensive Studies in Chinese, Stanford University

June 1973 - Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University

June-September 1972 - National Science Foundation Fellowship in Chemistry 1972. To study the photoconversion of aziridines to ethylene for its agriculture applications. Preceptor: Dr. J. D. White

Press ReleaseMarch 26, 2018
Edison Liu elected to Board of Directors of American Association for Cancer Research
The members of the American Association for Cancer Research have elected Jackson Laboratory President and CEO Edison T. Liu, M.D. to serve on the AACR Board of Directors for the 2018-2021 term.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Press ReleaseNovember 21, 2016
American Association for the Advancement of Science names Edison T. Liu 2016 AAAS Fellow
Edison T. Liu, M.D. of The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Press ReleaseApril 04, 2016
Genomic pattern for breast cancer revealed
Research team led by JAX CEO Edison Liu has found the molecular fingerprint — and a potential therapy — for some of the deadliest cancers affecting women.
Search MagazineJanuary 06, 2016
The top 10 JAX stories of 2015
The Jackson Laboratory generated many exciting and newsworthy research discoveries and advances in 2015 that accelerated progress in the search for new cures to diseases that are rooted in our DNA. Here are our top 10 stories of 2015.

Press ReleaseFebruary 26, 2018
Sharing research and hope for Alzheimer's disease
An Alzheimer's awareness event in Bangor was held to address the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease, to raise overall awareness, and to lend human voices to an immense public health problem.
Search MagazineAugust 24, 2016
Ed Liu talks nerdy with The Huffington Post about cancer
The Huffington Post talked nerdy with Jackson Laboratory President and CEO Edison Liu, M.D., about the advantages of precision medicine in ‘curing’ cancer, bit by bit, by leveraging the power of genomics.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Blog PostJanuary 20, 2016
Cancer Moonshot 2020 technologies explained
Last week, leaders from multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, major academic cancer centers, health insurance companies, and other key players, announced the launch of ‎Cancer Moonshot 2020. The program’s sole purpose: accelerating the potential of combination immunotherapies as the next generation standard of care in patients with cancer.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Press ReleaseOctober 07, 2015
BIDMC and JAX Cancer Centers launch pilot cancer genomics grant program
As part of a comprehensive relationship to advance cancer research and accelerate personalized genomic medicine, The Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) have launched seven joint research projects to study a variety of cancer types, including multiple myeloma, lung, breast, prostate and brain cancers. The projects bring together 28 scientists – 14 from each institution – to lead investigations ranging from basic science to the development of clinical therapies.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer

Edison T. Liu, M.D.

President and CEO

About Edison T. Liu, M.D.

Selected Publications