A Breathalyzer Test for Cancer?

What if diagnosing cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or other serious illnesses could be as simple as breathing into a handheld device?

That possibility is moving closer to reality thanks to the work of the Technion’s Prof. Hossam Haick, whose groundbreaking research is changing how diseases are detected around the world. In recognition of his extraordinary achievements, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog recently awarded Haick Israel’s Presidential Medal of Honor, one of the nation’s highest civilian distinctions.

Prof. Haick is a member of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering, where he has built a career at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and technology. His pioneering research combines nanotechnology and artificial intelligence to develop noninvasive methods for disease detection, including technologies that can identify disease through breath and skin samples. These innovations hold the potential to make diagnosis earlier, more accessible, and more affordable for patients worldwide.

The Presidential Medal citation recognized Haick for creating an entirely new approach to disease detection and for translating scientific discovery into technologies capable of benefiting millions. His work has helped establish an emerging field that brings together chemical engineering, materials science, clinical medicine, data science, and applied innovation.

Haick’s discoveries have attracted international attention and collaboration from leading organizations and funders, including the European Union, the Gates Foundation, and the World Health Organization. His scientific achievements have earned him numerous honors, including election as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for inventors.

Like many of the Technion’s most influential researchers, Haick has also transformed academic discovery into real-world impact. Holder of more than 100 patents, he has helped launch five companies based on Technion research. Among them are Feelit Technologies (smart sensing solutions that predict equipment and infrastructure failures before they happen) and Nanose Medical (breath-based diagnostics that use AI to detect disease quickly and noninvasively), demonstrating how innovations developed at the Technion can become products and technologies that improve lives while helping to strengthen Israel’s position as a global innovation leader.

Just as notable is Haick’s commitment to students. During his tenure as dean of undergraduate studies, he led initiatives designed to improve the student experience, expand support services, and increase opportunities for students facing personal and national challenges. His leadership reflected a belief that academic excellence and human connection go hand in hand.

That combination of scientific achievement, entrepreneurial vision, and dedication to education makes Haick a powerful example of the Technion’s mission in action. His work demonstrates how bold ideas can move from the laboratory to the marketplace, from academic journals to hospitals, and from scientific discovery to tangible benefits for society.

Photo credit: Haim Zach/GPO.