A trio of Master of Science in Information Technology students from Missouri State University claimed third spot and a $2,000 prize in the recent Big Data Health Science Student Case Competition 2026.

The two-day online competition took place during the University of South Carolina’s 7th National Big Data Health Science Conference from Feb. 12-13 in Columbia, South Carolina. It drew 32 teams from universities across the country.

The challenge involved analyzing complex health care datasets, building predictive models and developing a data-driven decision-support tool to help physicians evaluate and communicate treatment options for musculoskeletal patients. All of this was completed under a compressed timeline.

Missouri State’s team comprised Nguyen Luong Thanh Ha (team lead), Connor Kneeshaw and Amelie Schroeder. In the final round of competition, the team had to complete advanced data analysis and present a functional system interface within eight hours. It went up against teams from universities, such as Rutgers University (first place), USC (second place), Carnegie Mellon University and Dartmouth College.

“This competition included many top-ranked universities, so I was nervous at first,” Nguyen said. “But my teammates and I proved we could compete with anyone.”

Turning analytics into meaningful impact

The competition allowed students to apply advanced analytics to real-world health care challenges while connecting personal interests with professional development. For the team, the experience extended learning beyond the classroom.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field. This competition gave me the opportunity to connect with topics I’m passionate about,” Schroeder said.

The experience also reinforced the value of translating academic knowledge into practical applications.

“It was a perfect opportunity to apply my skills to a real-world scenario rather than just a classroom setting,” Kneeshaw said. “Working in a team environment allowed us to divide roles based on strengths and learn from each other.”

As team lead, Nguyen directed the technical strategy, overseeing model development and system implementation under strict time constraints.

“Everyone can analyze data. But transforming that analysis into a usable system was one of the biggest challenges,” Nguyen said.

Preparing students for professional success

This type of competition plays a vital role in student development. Students gain hands-on experience, enhance their analytical skills and develop communication and teamwork abilities that employers and graduate programs value.

“Competitions can also expose students to academic research and publication, further strengthening their professional portfolios,” said Dr. Raju Mainali, senior instructor of informational technology and cybersecurity at Missouri State.

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