ALEX, Created by Janice Krieger and UF Colleagues, Named One of Seven Innovations of the Year

Janice Krieger, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications STEM Translational Communication Center director, and a multidisciplinary group of UF researchers were honored for their project ALEX. It was named one of the seven innovations of year at the 4^th Annual Standing InnOvation awards event presented by UF Innovate.

ALEX (Agent Leveraging Empathy for eXams) is a virtual health assistant that delivers precision messages to the diverse population of Florida. The virtual clinicians replicate real-life movements of what will occur in face-to-face interactions. The mobile application was developed through support of a National Cancer Institute grant to promote colorectal cancer screening among underserved and minority populations.

The annual event recognizes top innovations stemming out of UF. More than 150 innovators and entrepreneurs attended the in-person event, and around 40 joined the livestream to celebrate their achievements in fiscal year 2021.