Kaz Sakamoto

Kaz Sakamoto (‘13 MSUP) is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP. He is currently a data scientist at Goldman Sachs in the Technology division.

Sakamoto’s current work deals with optimizing internal technology infrastructure and working through an end-to-end data science pipeline. Previously he was an assistant vice president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, where he convinced HUD to change their methodology for CDBG funding post Super Storm Sandy, consulted on Universal Pre-K roll out and produced many maps for such projects as the East River Ferry Expansion, the Seward Park Re-development, and Public Wifi in NYC.

Sakamoto has been an adjunct faculty member of the urban studies department at Barnard College since 2014.

Sakamoto earned a B.A. in biology from the University of Rochester, studied Ethnomusicology at the Eastman School of Music, and received a M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University. His research interests concern the use of technology in the planning process, specifically public participation.