The excitement of March Madness isn’t just for basketball fans anymore. The scientific world has its own version, and you can participate by voting for your favorite team in the STAT Madness competition.
Dr. Diana Azzam and her cancer research group from Florida International University’s (FIU) Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work are among the 64 teams vying for the title in this annual tournament. STAT, a prominent health news website, organizes the competition, which highlights groundbreaking discoveries in health and medicine across universities in the United States. Voters can support the most innovative research with the potential to improve lives.
Last year, Azzam and her team earned high praise for their work. They published a study in Nature Medicine detailing a personalized cancer treatment technology. Their innovative approach to functional precision medicine has led to more effective treatments for children with difficult-to-treat, relapsed cancers.
“As a scientist, it’s a thrilling feeling to see our research recognized as a contender for STAT Madness,” Azzam said. “Our approach has shown promising results, and I look forward to continuing this important work to help ensure cancer patients receive the right treatment at the right time.”
Tomás R. Guilarte, Dean of FIU’s Stempel College, is encouraging everyone to vote for FIU. “This friendly competition helps bring awareness to the critical role research and health technology play on human health,” Guilarte stated. “I look forward to casting my vote for FIU. The work being done here by Dr. Azzam and her team is truly impactful. It’s advancing science and bringing renewed hope to cancer patients and their families.”
Dr. Diana Azzam and a colleague
To vote for FIU and support their research, click the provided link. The competition, similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, is single-elimination, with teams facing off against each other in several rounds. Voting is ongoing. To participate, create a free account (which takes only a few moments) and then cast your vote for FIU. You can vote for FIU or up to 32 teams in the first round. Voting in the first round concludes shortly after midnight on March 9th. Remember to vote daily to help FIU advance through the tournament.
