The Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy (JKTG Foundation) today announced five recipients of the JKTG Scholars Program investigating cellular influence on health and disease, part of its commitment to supporting research at a time when funding for scientists is increasingly limited.

The JKTG Foundation announced two recipients of the JKTG Scholars Program, part of its commitment to supporting early-stage research at a time when funding for emerging scientists is increasingly limited. The Scholars are advancing complementary research into how cells sense and respond to their physical environment—fundamental biology that underlies cancer progression and metastasis.

A word of advice to those of you who think you can grow a successful and sustainable business just by telling someone to believe you or invest in you without laying the groundwork. Unless you are willing to put in the work and embrace a more progressive, strategic, thoughtful, and patient approach, you will never be able to grow a sustainable business.

The Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy (JKTG Foundation) will host its annual Cancer Research Symposium in Washington, D.C., this fall, marking the event's 10th year bringing together leading researchers and clinicians to advance collaboration in cancer research. The 2026 symposium will focus on the theme Novel Strategies for Targeting Metastasis. Registration opens in June.

Most people don’t die from breast cancer itself — they die when the cancer spreads. Yet metastasis remains one of the least understood and most difficult aspects of the disease to treat.

Making a different requires knowledge, getting experience, disappointment, and then doubling down and going at it again. Many who call themselves advocates don’t do that. I encourage you that if you truly want to make a difference; learn, invest your time as well as your money, and be patient. Do not merely yell loudly for your cause.

I argue that there is different, bureaucratic golden rule at play– the guy with the gold makes up the rules. Those with the power to dole out funds can influence and achieve their intended goals through the scoring criteria they use to evaluative proposals, who they place on the review section panels and who they chose to use. Through these mechanisms, they could (and perhaps do) influence what and who gets selected.

Research dollars matter most when they target questions, not just causes.

Progress comes when we stop driving down the middle and start finding the edge.

Convergent research advances science — convergent thinking can stall it.

Healthcare costs aren’t mysterious — they’re the product of design, incentives, and engagement.

Power abroad begins with stability at home — context decides credibility.

Just like racing, in my cancer world, I need to get the research car in the best position possible before I turn it over to the closing driver – maybe that’s NIH, a drug company, or someone else. But we have to build momentum if we want a chance to win. That’s why I’m working and investing in the early stages of the research race.

Only focusing on one or two legs doesn’t get us where we need to be as fast as needed. This is kind of how cancer treatment development and research works. Think of it like a cancer relay race.

Be cautious if reading or listening to news from international outlets, understand the rules they are playing by.

If you’re doing business in another county, you need to understand the rules and comply.

Foundation does things differently, and after 10+ years of making contributions, I know our process works. Let me share how you can maximize your contribution dollars.

In this episode, Macklin and Giovanis discuss the power of math and collaboration in cancer research.

A promising study shows that certain may more safely help detect and treat cancer. Researchers tested several types of tiny iron oxide particles—similar to those already approved by the FDA for other uses—to see how they affect the body and where they travel after injection.

2025 Symposium: Improving Breast Cancer Outcomes // Revealing and Targeting Immune Interaction