UNF professor turns data into community impact through AI-driven social good

For Dr. Karthikeyan Umapathy, teaching computing at the University of North Florida means turning data and artificial intelligence into solutions that directly serve the community.

For more than 18 years, Umapathy has taught in UNF's School of Computing, working with undergraduate and graduate students across Information Systems, Information Sciences and Data Science programs. What sets his work apart is how deeply it is rooted in real-world impact.

"My goal is to help students see how the skills they learn in class can directly improve lives," Umapathy said. "When students work on meaningful problems, they don't just learn faster - they care more."

That philosophy shapes his teaching, research and mentorship of students in the Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences (MS CIS) program. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Cathedral Arts Project, Florida Philanthropic Network and Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, UNF students gain hands-on experience building AI- and data-driven solutions that respond to real community needs.

A Model Built on Community

Umapathy's work is guided by what he calls the Community Engagement Triad Model - a framework that connects students, community partners and industry mentors. Students gain real-world experience, community partners bring authentic challenges and industry mentors provide technical guidance. Together, the triad supports innovative, socially driven technology projects that would otherwise be out of reach for many nonprofit organizations.

"This model ensures students are not just coding for a grade," he said. "They are designing solutions that someone truly depends on."

The model is embedded in practicum and capstone courses, where students receive intensive coaching as they apply foundational computing knowledge to complex, open-ended problems. Many of these experiences begin in Umapathy's Graduate Research Experience course, which serves as a pipeline for larger, sponsored projects.

From Data to Action: Florida Data Science for Social Good

In 2016, Umapathy and Dr. Dan Richard, a UNF professor of psychological and brain sciences, founded Florida Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG) after recognizing a critical gap in data services for nonprofit organizations.

With early support from regional partners, the initiative began accepting community project proposals in 2017. Today, it has grown into a hub for socially responsible innovation and is preparing to transition into the Florida Institute for AI-Driven Solutions and Innovation (FIAISI).

Through collaborations with organizations like the Cathedral Arts Project, FL-DSSG has helped translate community data into action, supporting initiatives that expand access to arts education and improve student outcomes across the region. In some cases, research has shown that even a single arts experience can positively influence student performance in core academic areas.

"We focus on problems that don't have obvious solutions," Umapathy said. "They require exploration, creativity and constant iteration - exactly the kind of challenges our students need to become strong professionals."

AI in Action: Student-Led Research with Real Impact

Today, MS CIS students working with Umapathy are leading exploratory AI research projects that demonstrate how technology can support health, equity and behavioral well-being.

For instance, working with nonprofit partner Epic Cure, students are developing an AI system designed to personalize food assistance for families experiencing food insecurity and chronic health conditions.

The system analyzes available food inventory, considers individual health needs and generates tailored food packages, recipes and volunteer assembly instructions - bridging the gap between food access and health outcomes.

AI for Behavioral Health - The Performers Academy

Also, in collaboration with The Performers Academy, students are applying AI techniques to analyze audio and video from performing arts programs that support youth with behavioral challenges.

By identifying patterns in student participation and performance, the project helps the organization better understand progress, strengthen programming and tell data-driven stories about student growth.

For community partners, these insights are critical - providing new ways to measure engagement, demonstrate impact and expand access to programs that support student well-being.

"These projects are exploratory - we don't yet know what the final solution will look like," Umapathy said. "But that's the point. Students are learning how to innovate in an evolving AI landscape."

A Launchpad for Future Leaders

Once a pathway for impact is identified, many projects transition into sponsored research opportunities, allowing students to earn stipends while building professional-grade solutions.

For MS CIS students, these experiences go far beyond technical skill development. They learn how to collaborate across sectors, communicate with stakeholders and design systems that serve real people.

Sneha Kattari, a recent MS CIS graduate who has worked with Umapathy on community-facing AI projects, says the experience has reshaped how she thinks about her field. "Working on these projects taught me that building good technology means understanding the people it's meant to serve," Kattari said. "Dr. Umapathy pushes us to ask not just whether something works, but whether it actually helps."

"Our students graduate with more than a degree," Umapathy said. "They leave knowing how to create technology that serves people."

Dean Dr. William (Chip) Klostermeyer sees the program as emblematic of UNF's broader mission.

"The program Dr. Umapathy has built is more than a great program for our students - it's a role model for what UNF does: connecting to the industry, the community, K-12 students and engaging in partnerships that provide solutions for our partners and learning experiences for our students," Klostermeyer said. "We are so proud!"

As FL-DSSG evolves into FIAISI, UNF's role as a leader in community-driven AI continues to grow - powered by faculty vision, student talent and partnerships across Northeast Florida that turn data into meaningful, measurable impact.