Maati McKinney is a graduating senior mathematics major hailing from Tallahassee, Florida. Her research interests lie in data science, quantitative biology, and generally any field using applications of mathematics to solve problems and innovate solutions.
McKinney currently serves as captain of the Spelman College Quiz Bowl team, and has been a member for the past two years who assisted in bringing home Spelman’s first ever National Championship in 2019. She is pursuing a minor in Japan Studies and plans to use her knowledge in this area to complete research abroad one day. McKinney believes that societal progress requires good science, and good science needs conscious, globally-minded researchers — scientists who understand there are real, human repercussions behind every decision made in the lab or on a computer. For this reason, McKinney aspires to be a global citizen and researcher, ensuring that science never forgets the people who power it.