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Miami-Dade School Board vice chair Monica Colucci, at the meeting of Oct. 8, proffered agenda item B-6, recognizing Diana Azzam, PhD.
Dr. Azzam is an associate professor at Florida International University (FIU) and scientific director of the Center for Advancing Personalized Cancer Treatments (CAPCT). She holds a master’s degree in Biochemistry from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Miami.
Dr. Azzam’s research focuses on implementing Functional Precision Medicine (FPM) in cancer treatment, which involves testing live tumor cells from individual patients against hundreds of FDA-approved drugs to quickly identify effective, personalized therapies. This work specifically targets patients with advanced or therapy-resistant cancers who have exhausted standard treatment options.
Dr. Azzam collaborates with hospitals such as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Florida to deliver cancer treatment recommendations based on both genomic profiles and direct drug sensitivity testing. She is leading clinical studies to assess the efficacy and clinical utility of FPM in both pediatric and adult cancer patients.
Dr. Azzam’s broader aims include establishing the first cancer drug testing lab in Florida, launching multi-center clinical trials, and applying FPM to address health disparities in childhood cancer, particularly among minority populations.
Her work is notable for rapid, personalized treatment recommendations that have contributed to marked improvements in patient outcomes, as exemplified in successful cases like a child with relapsed leukemia who achieved remission thanks to FPM-guided therapy.
“Dr. Diana Azzam’s groundbreaking work represents both hope and progress for countless families facing the most difficult battles against cancer,” Colucci said. “Her leadership in advancing personalized treatments is not only transforming lives today but also paving the way for a future where access to innovative therapies is within reach for every patient. We are proud to honor her dedication, brilliance, and unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes in our community and beyond.”
Dr. Azzam’s research has received funding and recognition from sources including the National Institute of Health and the Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and she co-founded First Ascent Biomedical to expand access to personalized cancer care through academic and private-sector innovation.
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