“When deciding to apply to graduate school, it was important that I started with the end in mind.I knew what my goal was, so I had to figure out what path would get me there. I was delighted to learn that my alma mater offered the very program that I needed to achieve my goals, with one of the best urban planning programs in this region. I chose the urban planning/public informatics track at Rutgers’ Bloustein School because it bridges the ideas and plans for what can be done with the technical skills needed to put them into action. With every class that I take, I immediately see the practical application and feel more equipped to step out into the workforce.”
Topic
Graduate Public Informatics Student Spotlights
Applying Data Science Beyond the Tech World
“I was interested in applying data science to real world problems and was having a hard time finding a program that did that until I came across the MPI program at Bloustein. On a technical level, the MPI taught me how to manipulate data to solve problems. This became very useful for interpreting the administrative data I work with now. On a professional level, it taught me how to discuss and present data in an impactful way, which allows me to better communicate to the administrative staff who use the tools I develop.”
Ivania Martinez: Economics, Data Science, and Public Policy
Ivania Martinez’s work combines economics, data science, and public policy to support data-driven decision-making and social impact.
Sina-Marie Mayer: Intersection of data science, AI, and public policy.
Sina-Marie Mayer works at the intersection of data science, AI, and public policy. In a directed research project, she analyzes large-scale Reddit data using natural language processing and topic modeling to examine how fear and stress appear in public discourse around artificial intelligence.
Ayse Sert Oti: AI Governance, Health Equity, and Public Policy
Ayse aims to work at the intersection of AI governance, health equity, and public policy. Her current project, CASN (Cognitive Autonomy & Safety Negotiation), explores a privacy-aware AI decision-support system designed to help dementia caregivers navigate high-risk situations.
Leveraging AI to enhance patient care and better healthcare systems
“The MPI Program didn’t just teach the “how” of data, but the “why” of using it to improve people’s lives”
Informatics: A Launchpad to Leadership and Community Impact
“The MPI gave me the opportunity to combine my background in urban planning with advanced coursework in GIS, AI, and informatics, which is exactly what I needed to start designing the kind of spatial intelligence systems I envision for cities. It taught me to see spatial data not just as a record, but as a living system that can inform decisions, optimize infrastructure, and ultimately improve lives.”
From Teaching Lessons to Learning New Ones: A Second Chance to Do More
“I’ve seen firsthand the barriers that exist in developing countries, and I know this is my chance to do more than what I was doing before. I want to keep learning, keep growing, and use data not just as numbers but as a way to solve real-world problems in meaningful ways. The Master of Public Informatics degree isn’t just a career move for me, it’s a second chance to build the kind of impact I’ve always dreamed of.”
A Journey from Finance to Data-Driven Policymaking
Nurul Hoque hopes to leverage his combined expertise in finance, data analytics, and policy analysis to spearhead the development of data-driven policies and programs that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability.
Merging the Energy Sector and Global Data Analytics
Yousaf’s experience in the program has been pivotal in preparing him for a career in energy policy and analytics. One of his standout courses was Global Data Analytics, where he gained a deeper understanding of how data can shape sustainable energy policies.