Database Engineer Helps Make Aviation Research Soar
Annise Ginyard
November 2012
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MITRE's Annise Ginyard manages CAASD's Data Management Center—a repository of aviation-related data used to improve aviation system safety, security, and performance worldwide. |
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The old axiom "your results are only as good as your data" lies at the heart of Annise Ginyard's work at MITRE. She is a database technical software engineer within the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) operated by MITRE for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Ginyard manages the Data Management Center (DMC)—a critical part of CAASD's data infrastructure that provides users with a variety of data sources in many different formats. "The DMC provides aviation-related data to more than 600 scientists and engineers who work at improving aviation system safety, security, and aviation performance worldwide," she says. Her work is a critical component of MITRE's mission of delivering engineering excellence to its sponsors.
She began working on the DMC project in 1992. "I was attending Strayer University at night and working on my degree in computer information systems. Up to that point, I had supported CAASD's office of automation and desktop services." Shortly after finishing her degree, she began overseeing the DMC.
Good Data Fuels Research
Ginyard supports the research and analysis conducted by CAASD staff. "It's my responsibility to provide accurate and up-to-date aviation related data for their analysis and design projects."
She explains, "Having accurate data readily available helps our staff deliver projects on time and can save researchers hours of work. It also helps eliminate duplication of effort in obtaining data and ensures consistent data throughout CAASD."
It's a big job—there are more than 95 aviation data sets within the FFRDC. The DMC supplies data for projects, tools, and analysis, including the Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation and Traffic Simulation project, the User Request Evaluation Tool, the Total Airspace and Airport Modeler, and the En Route Automation Modernization effort among others. The DMC also provides data for the MITRE Aviation IDEA Lab, a state-of-the-art lab that gives our staff, government, and industry a way to develop and assess proposed aviation system improvements.
"My day-to-day work entails downloading, processing, and updating data sets for staff; helping staff locate data; and monitoring license agreements and data usage constraints," she says. "It can be challenging at times. I try to respond to everyone promptly. I want to make sure our researchers get what they need to do their work and meet their deadlines."
Her work also has an external component. "I coordinate with CAASD departments and outside government and industry organizations. One example would be my support to the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) Portal, which is an industry-wide collaboration to promote aviation safety," she says. "Working with the portal is rewarding and a critical component of the overall plan for maintaining the security and integrity of the ASIAS data."
"I love that I'm helping almost every project within CAASD. Even better, I like knowing that I play a part in the safety and operations of aviation worldwide."
Building a Solid Core
Similar to her MITRE work, Ginyard's outside interests focus on building a strong foundation—in terms of fitness and strength training—for local high students and adults. "I had a lot of relatives with heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes," she says, "I wanted to help others lessen their chance of having these diseases and knew they could by eating right and exercising."
She's been working with young athletes since her own children were teens. "I've always had an interest in physical fitness," she says, "and both my sons are athletes. One is a high school basketball coach and the other is a professional basketball player overseas."
Even though her children are now adults, she has continued working with young athletes. "I have been a basketball strength and conditioning coach for three local schools—Potomac High School, Maret High School, and Bishop O'Connell High School. I'm also a personal trainer with clients throughout the Washington D.C. area."
"I know that exercise benefits people in so many ways. I get a lot of satisfaction in helping others reach their fitness goals."
She adds, "I am grateful for MITRE's concern for work life balance. The ability to do high quality work and at the same time balance personal life is very important to me."
—by Kay M. Upham
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