UNF graduate turns data into community impact

Sneha Kattari came to the University of North Florida with a clear goal to build the technical skills and real-world experience needed to thrive in the fast-evolving world of technology. Now, as she prepares to graduate this summer with a master's degree in computer and information sciences with a minor in computer science, she leaves UNF with far more than a diploma.

Originally from India, Kattari earned her bachelor's degree in information technology before deciding to pursue graduate studies in the United States. As she researched universities, UNF quickly stood out for its supportive environment and student-focused approach.

"I did a lot of research before choosing UNF," Kattari said. "I heard about the smaller class sizes and how amazing the faculty are. It's not just about academics here. The professors really help students and open doors to opportunities. UNF has been exactly what I wanted."

That sense of connection became clear early in her graduate experience. During her second semester, Kattari joined a research program under the mentorship of School of Computing professor Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy, an experience she credits with helping her grow both academically and professionally.

"He was really amazing and supportive," Kattari said. "I worked on a project with him, and that experience helped me understand how research works and how to apply what I was learning in class to real-world problems."

Over the course of her master's program, Kattari worked with UNF's Florida Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG) program. There, Kattari played a key role in the State of Jax project, a civic data initiative developed in partnership with the City of Jacksonville to make local data more accessible to residents, policymakers and community stakeholders.

According to Umapathy, Kattari's combination of technical expertise, adaptability and communication skills made her an ideal choice for the project.

"When FL-DSSG secured the State of Jax project with the City of Jacksonville, it was clear that the success of the project would depend on someone who could think on their feet, ask the right questions and communicate effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders, including city officials, technology partners and faculty at UNF," he said.

Kattari worked on the data side of the initiative, cleaning and organizing large public datasets while also contributing to the development of the project's website and visualizations. Through the experience, she learned how to transform complicated, unstructured information into tools that could support meaningful community decisions.

"Public data is always messy," she said. "That experience gave me confidence in my data cleaning skills and in my ability to work on real projects in a company setting. I also developed stronger AI and analytical skills."

She added that the work strengthened both her technical and problem-solving skills, particularly in data cleaning and artificial intelligence applications.

"I'm proud to have played a role in shaping this initiative, contributing to its strategy, design and implementation to help support data-informed decisions and drive equitable investment across Jacksonville," Kattari said.

Umapathy credits much of the project's success to Kattari's work, noting both her technical performance and her leadership within the program.

"The success of the State of Jax Dashboard project is a direct result of Sneha's contributions," he said. "Beyond her professional strengths, I have also seen her consistently step up for her peers and volunteer for many of our events. I am glad I have had the opportunity to work with her."

Kattari said some of the most valuable lessons she gained at UNF extended beyond coding and technical expertise.

"I learned communication skills along with technical skills," she said. "Being able to explain ideas clearly and work with a team is just as important as the technology itself."

As she looks ahead, Kattari plans to continue exploring opportunities in technology and data science while building on the skills she developed at UNF.

"With the skills I've gained, I want to keep exploring different areas and continue growing," she said. "I'm excited for what's next."