Hande McGinty
Hande McGinty is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Kansas State University, where she leads research in knowledge graphs and their applications in AI across diverse domains. Her work spans digital agriculture, bioinformatics, healthcare, and even environmental studies in collaboration with NASA, using AI and machine learning to transform raw data into actionable knowledge. She has built a reputation for developing methodologies that integrate complex datasets into knowledge graphs, which serve as “grand truths” for AI-driven analysis.
Before joining Kansas State University in 2022, Hande held research positions at Ohio University, collaborating with the USDA to construct ontologies for food data, and at Collaborative Drug Discovery, where she contributed to establishing knowledge graphs for pharmaceutical research. She earned her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Miami, focusing on data science, and has an extensive history of NIH-funded projects, developing ontologies and semantic web technologies that standardize complex biological and chemical data.
Outside of her academic work, Hande is deeply committed to supporting the wider scientific and technology community. She volunteers with organizations such as ACM Women, the Grace Hopper Conference, AAAI, and IEEE standards committees, mentoring and promoting diversity in tech. She also enjoys traveling and exploring global cuisines, reflecting her Turkish heritage through cooking and cultural exploration. Her success, she attributes to persistence, collaboration, and a strong support network, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and teamwork in advancing scientific discovery.
• University of Miami - PhD
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of persistence, support, and collaboration. First and foremost, I’ve always believed in the importance of not giving up on what I’m passionate about. If something excites me, I commit to it fully and continue to develop it, even when challenges arise. That determination and persistence have been key drivers throughout my journey.
Equally important has been the support of my family and my network. I’m fortunate to have a strong foundation of encouragement that allows me to take risks, grow, and pursue my goals with confidence.
Finally, I attribute much of my success to working with a strong team. No one achieves success in isolation—collaboration is essential. Being able to support others, work alongside talented colleagues, and mentor emerging professionals has been incredibly rewarding. I’m particularly excited about contributing to and learning from the community here at K-State.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry would be to stay grounded and not get swept up by the hype around any particular trend or topic. It’s important to focus on developing your own perspective, building your skills, and making thoughtful, informed decisions rather than reacting to what’s currently popular. Staying true to your goals and values will serve you far better in the long run.