March 13, 2026
Columbia College is bringing together cutting-edge technology, hands-on learning, and local outreach through BEACON, the Biomedical Education, AI, and Community Outreach Nexus, a new undergraduate research initiative anchored in the School of Health Sciences.
BEACON blends artificial intelligence, wearable health technology, and community engagement to study factors linked to diabetes risk, including physical activity, sleep, stress, and heart rate variability.
Students will gain real research experience while focusing on a public health challenge that hits close to home. South Carolina continues to report higher-than-average diabetes rates, and the 29203 ZIP code surrounding Columbia College faces some of the highest rates of diabetes-related complications in the nation.
A Course-Based Research Experience, Built for Real Impact
Launching in Fall 2026, BEACON will operate as a course-based undergraduate research experience (often called a CURE), allowing students to move through the full research cycle as part of their academic program. Students in Exercise Science, Public Health, and related health fields will work in interdisciplinary teams with faculty mentors to complete ethical training, recruit participants, collect and manage data, and communicate results.
Students will collect real-world health data using wearable technology and short mobile surveys, alongside basic health measurements such as blood pressure and body composition. They will then use AI to analyze patterns and better understand how lifestyle factors influence health. A signature component of the project is the development of simplified “Digital Twin” models that help visualize how lifestyle changes, such as better sleep, increased activity, or stress reduction, could influence overall health.
Learning That Extends Beyond Campus
BEACON is designed to connect student learning with community benefit. As part of the outreach mission, students will translate their research into interactive demonstrations and share what they learn with local middle and high school students, with a focus on Title I schools in the 29203 area, including Alcorn Middle School and C.A. Johnson High School.
Students will also present their work at SpearsFest, Columbia College’s annual academic and creative scholarship symposium, and at regional research conferences. The project will align with campus wellness partnerships, including opportunities to share demonstrations during community-focused events such as the Wellness in Action Festival.
A Cross-Disciplinary Faculty Team Supporting Student Success
BEACON is led by Vinayak Bhat, assistant professor of chemistry, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and mentors whose expertise spans exercise science, public health, health equity, communication sciences, and undergraduate research mentorship. Team members include Alexandra Szarabajko, Katherine DeVivo, Asolé TaQuesa Leslie, Adrienne Oxley, and Leigh Ann Spell.
Together, the team is building a sustainable model for integrating biomedical AI research into undergraduate education. By combining real-world data, modern tools, and community partnership, BEACON prepares students for careers in health, data science, and artificial intelligence, while supporting diabetes-prevention awareness and STEM inspiration in the neighborhoods Columbia College calls home.
Interested in participating or learning more about BEACON? Contact the School of Health Sciences or follow Columbia College on social media for upcoming student and community opportunities.