The Texas Heart Institute family continued a favorite tradition by returning to the Annual BioHouston Chili Cook-Off on Friday, April 5. The yearly event is a very spirited—and competitive—gathering of teams from Houston-area biotech companies and organizations within the Texas Medical Center.

With the theme “Texas Heart All Stars,” the team celebrated the four years that Denton A. Cooley, MD, The Institute’s founder, spent on the varsity basketball team at The University of Texas in Austin, including playing on the team that won the Southwest Conference Championship in 1939. The custom booth even offered visitors a chance to score their own points on the (miniature) basketball court.

The Institute team is known throughout the cook-off for their choreographed dance routines. This year’s performance showcased dance moves set to a medley of Texas and all-star themed music, led by the Molecular Cardiology Research Lab’s Amy Caivano, who has been participating in the event with her fellow researchers since 2005.

Robert McNeil, director of Research Operations, organized the team’s participation this year. “The Texas Heart Institute is thrilled to be back at the 2024 BioHouston Chili Cook-Off! Our goal is to have fun and showcase our teamwork and camaraderie,” he said.

See More Photos From the Event

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