Thrilling Quiz Bowl Sets Tone for Slate of ISPOR Student Network Events in Philadelphia
Ivy Leong, BSPharm, MSc
The ISPOR Student Network’s continuing expansion of its portfolio of engaging and intellectually stimulating events for students was demonstrated during the ISPOR Annual 2026 conference in Philadelphia. This year, the Student Network led several key initiatives, including a forum, a collaboration with the New Professionals Network, student poster tour, and the Quiz Bowl.
Each of these events was thoughtfully designed to enhance participants’ knowledge of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) concepts while fostering collaboration and professional growth. Collectively, they attracted record-high attendance, bringing together a diverse mix of students and industry professionals and generating meaningful interactions and discussions throughout the conference.
High Stakes at the Quiz Bowl
Among these, the Quiz Bowl stood out as a highlight event. This year, it brought together students from 14 institutions with diverse academic backgrounds to test their HEOR expertise through a fast-paced, team-based bracket-style tournament. Johns Hopkins University, participating in the competition for the first time, came in third place. University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), and University of Rhode Island (URI) battled to a Jeopardy-style double tiebreaker in which each team wagered a portion of its points prior to hearing the question. Both teams answered incorrectly, and the championship was ultimately decided by the point wager, with UIC edging out URI to claim first place.
1st Place Team - University of Illinois, Chicago
I witnessed firsthand how the Quiz Bowl serves as a platform for learning, networking, and building confidence. The competition featured questions spanning a wide range of topics, including health economics, research methodologies, statistics, and even machine learning. This breadth not only reinforced existing knowledge but also exposed students to new and emerging areas within HEOR. Students demonstrated strong teamwork and quick thinking as they worked under pressure to deliver accurate answers—hitting the buzzer! The excitement and camaraderie generated during the Quiz Bowl extended beyond the competition, strengthening connections among students and encouraging continued engagement in ISPOR activities.
2026 Quiz Bowl Competition
Preparation for the Quiz Bowl was equally impactful. Many student chapters organized practice sessions, reviewed key concepts, and shared HEOR-related resources in advance of the competition. These efforts strengthened foundational knowledge while promoting peer-to-peer learning and mentorship. For newer students, the preparation process provided valuable exposure to the field and its diverse topics. For more experienced students, it offered an opportunity to deepen their understanding, stay current with evolving HEOR trends, and mentor junior peers. Many participants described this year’s Quiz Bowl as a uniquely rewarding experience and expressed enthusiasm for future competitions.
From an organizational perspective, the Quiz Bowl also served as a valuable leadership opportunity. Planning and execution required coordination across multiple stakeholders, including student leaders, industry professionals who contributed to the question pool, administrative staff who supported logistics, and our Student Network advisor. As a Student Network leader, I found this experience instrumental for developing leadership, communication, and organizational skills, all of which are essential for future roles in academia, industry, and policy.
Communication and Community
Beyond the Quiz Bowl, the Student Network programming helped foster a strong sense of community. As the first Student Network event of the conference, the Quiz Bowl provided a welcoming starting point for students to engage with the broader HEOR community. This momentum continued with the Student Network forum, “Global Value Frameworks: Aligning HEOR, Access, and Policy Across Borders,” where panelists from diverse healthcare systems shared real-world insights and perspectives on global policy development.
In addition, a collaborative session with the New Professionals Network, titled “Communicating Value in the Age of AI—Skills, Tools, and Confidence for HEOR Careers,” offered a forward-looking discussion on integrating artificial intelligence with essential communication skills. Unlike many AI-focused sessions, this discussion emphasized not only technical applications but also the importance of maintaining human judgment and ensuring that AI remains a tool to support, rather than replace, professional expertise.
Overall, the Quiz Bowl and accompanying Student Network events exemplified ISPOR’s mission to promote education, collaboration, and excellence in HEOR. These initiatives not only challenged participants intellectually but also equipped them with the skills, confidence, and professional connections needed to succeed in their careers.
I hope these events continue to attract strong engagement from students, faculty, and industry professionals, further enhancing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and career development. As a Student Network leader, I am proud to contribute to these efforts and look forward to their continued impact on the next generation of HEOR professionals.
