June 30, 2026
On Thursday, June 25, Columbia College held its Sixth Annual Biomedical Research Symposium as part of the South Carolina IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE). The symposium showcased the outstanding work of student researchers who, alongside dedicated faculty mentors, explored meaningful questions in biomedical science and gained hands-on research experience that prepares them for future careers in science, healthcare, and related fields. As one of 14 partner institutions in the statewide consortium, Columbia College anticipates continuing its participation in SC INBRE through a second funding cycle, pending final renewal approval. Through faculty mentorship, research supplies, weekly meetings, and paid summer experiences, the program equips students with the tools and opportunities to conduct and present undergraduate biomedical research.
This year’s projects addressed a broad range of scientific and public health issues, from investigating new approaches to cardiovascular disease and targeted drug delivery to studying healthcare disparities and evaluating treatments for parasitic infections, demonstrating the breadth and impact of undergraduate research at Columbia College.
Research Presentations Included:
“A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of Praziquantel on Naïve Monogeneans”
By Meshach Guadeloupe, Jalen Miller, and Jacob Shealy, under the mentorship of Dr. Seth Bromagen
Students examined the effectiveness of praziquantel (PZQ) in treating monogenean parasites on freshwater fish, focusing on determining whether the drug can eliminate parasites and informing future studies on drug resistance. Students compared treated and untreated fish and found no infections in the PZQ-treated group, suggesting the treatment was highly effective, though lower-than-expected parasite prevalence and the limited sample size restricted the study’s scope. These findings provide a foundation for future research into parasitic diseases, including schistosomiasis, which affects approximately 300 million people worldwide.
“Prodrugs: Synthesis of Models and pH Activation”
By Guruveer Jhaj, Alissa McCann, and Madelyn Vaughn, under the mentorship of Dr. Vinayak Bhat
Students explored the design and synthesis of ester-based prodrugs and investigated how different pH environments influence their activation through ester bond cleavage. By synthesizing model compounds and analyzing their behavior under acidic and basic conditions, the students identified which structures released their active compounds most efficiently, providing insights that could support more targeted drug delivery systems and pH-responsive therapies for diseases such as cancer and other chronic conditions.
“Generational Trauma and Public Healthcare Access”
By Taylor Davis and Azia Holmes, under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Jon Barrineau and Dr. Elaine Swain
Students examined how generational trauma affects healthcare access and trust among residents of Columbia's 29203 community, where diabetes-related amputations are especially prevalent. Through surveys and interviews, the students found that abuse, accessibility challenges, and cultural influences all contributed to healthcare avoidance, underscoring the need for trauma-informed care to improve preventative healthcare, strengthen patient-provider relationships, and reduce health disparities in underserved communities.
“Atherosclerosis and GDSL Lipase”
By Jackson Brown and Leanissa Swinton, under the mentorship of Dr. Tori E. Peacock
Students investigated the potential of GDSL lipase, an enzyme derived from pitcher plants, as a treatment for atherosclerosis by targeting oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), a major contributor to plaque-forming foam cells. Experimental results showed that the enzyme remained active under acidic, lysosome-like conditions and demonstrated evidence of ox-LDL breakdown, suggesting it could serve as a promising foundation for future therapies aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
Through SC INBRE, Columbia College continues to expand opportunities for undergraduate research that inspire discovery and prepare students to serve their communities and contribute to advances in science and healthcare.