Mentoring the next generation of AI and data science innovators earns UNF professor top undergraduate research honor

By helping students build research skills and prepare for successful careers, Dr. Indika Kahanda has created a mentoring model that transforms aspiring computer scientists into confident researchers.

An associate professor at the University of North Florida's School of Computing, Kahanda was recently recognized for those efforts when he was named the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year during Research Week 2026.

Kahanda, who joined UNF in fall 2020 and directs the BioMedInfo Lab, said the recognition is not his alone but belongs to the students he mentors. The lab brings together undergraduate and graduate students to collaborate on projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science and health.

"It feels good to be recognized," said Kahanda. "However, it's a representation of the hard work of the whole lab. You cannot be a good mentor without good students."

Within his lab, students work on a range of projects, including developing computational models for large-scale genomic data and using artificial intelligence to detect nutrition misinformation on social media. The work often brings together disciplines such as computing, biology and nutrition, giving students the opportunity to apply technical skills to real-world challenges.

Dr. Nan Niu, professor and the RF-SMART and Morales Family Director of the School of Computing, said Kahanda is highly deserving of a mentorship award, highlighting his sustained engagement with students across multiple projects.

"Dr. Kahanda is a great mentor because he leads by example," said Niu. "His breadth and depth of knowledge allow him to tailor projects to students' research interests."

Mentorship approach

Kahanda's approach to mentorship is intentionally hands-on, especially for undergraduate students who are just beginning to explore the field.

"The very first thing that I do is ask, 'What do you want to do after graduation?'" Kahanda said. "If they want to target grad school, I try to organize the project where they have a chance to publish a paper and get ready for graduate school. If they are more interested in a job, I will align the project with more technology and skill building."

He structures learning experiences through directed independent studies, setting clear expectations and milestones while pairing undergraduates with more experienced graduate students. This layered mentorship model allows students to learn collaboratively while developing independence.

"He is very supportive and encouraging"

Recent UNF graduate Ella Luedeke, who is currently interning at Sandia National Laboratories, a U.S. Department of Energy engineering and science lab located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, says Kahanda's tutelage guided her through challenging coursework and inspired her to pursue a career in research.

Through her work with Kahanda, Luedeke contributed to work focused on automated feedback generation for STEM Writing using large language models (LLMs), gaining experience presenting at conferences and co-authoring a paper accepted for publication.

His profound impact on her academic journey led Luedeke to submit a letter to the UNF Office of Undergraduate Research nominating Kahanda for Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.

The language in Luedeke's letter painted a vivid portrait of a professor fully committed to student success, as she referred to Kahanda as "my most impactful mentor and advocate during my undergraduate career."

When discussing what makes Kahanda's mentorship impactful to students, Luedeke shares that he is very supportive and encouraging.

"He challenges students to grow while providing unwavering support," she said.

Echoing Luedeke's sentiments, computer science graduate student Vishwaa Shah also describes Kahanda as a mentor whose support fosters confidence and curiosity.

"He creates an environment where curiosity is encouraged, and every question is treated with respect," she said. "He has a unique ability to make students feel that their ideas matter while also challenging them to think more deeply."

With support from Kahanda, Shah is currently working on her thesis focusing on detecting nutritional misinformation on social media using LLMs.

Shah, who began working with Kahanda during undergrad, said his guidance helped her develop into an independent researcher.

"What began as an undergraduate independent study evolved into a long-term research collaboration," she said. "His guidance has helped me grow from a student learning research fundamentals into a researcher capable of contributing to scholarly publications."

Guiding the next generation

The unifying thread in students' reflections on Kahanda's mentorship is its transformative impact on their lives.

He strives to create a supportive environment for students that makes research both challenging and enjoyable.

"I'm firm in instruction, but also try to be friendly and approachable," said Kahanda. "I push them really hard and I try to develop an environment that allows them to enjoy their work."

That balance, students say, is what makes his mentorship transformative - helping them not only build technical expertise but also discover their passions and confidence as researchers.

The Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year award highlights exactly that impact: a faculty member who invests in students, celebrates their achievements and helps shape the next generation of scholars and innovators.