About Me
Nick Kunz is an applied researcher working at the intersection of data science, machine learning, and complex systems in urban planning, public health, and economics. He is a PhD Candidate in Systems Engineering and Artificial Intelligence at Cornell University advised by H. Oliver Gao, Francesca Parise, and Wenfei Xu.
He was previously a Senior Data Scientist at Deloitte in the Artificial Intelligence & Data practice. His past work on the Integrated Visual Augmentation System at Microsoft has been used to improve the performance and safety of soldiers in the US Army through Microsoft’s HoloLens technology. He was previously a Data Scientist at Pacific Prospecting Group, an early stage technology start-up. Before that, he worked as a Development Analyst at Brawner & Company, a boutique consulting firm specializing in affordable housing development. Kunz also served as a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer and Fellow at bcWORKSHOP.
He earned an MS from Cornell University in Systems Engineering and an MS from Columbia University in Urban Analytics. His master’s thesis at the latter was titled “Unsupervised Learning for Submarket Modeling: A Proxy for Neighborhood Change”. He earned a BS (Hons.), summa cum laude in Housing and Urban Development from Arizona State University. His education also includes work in Urban Planning from Harvard University.
Kunz previously served as a US Army Ranger. He was assigned to 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. His training includes the US Army Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, US Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection, US Army Special Forces Preparation and Conditioning, US Army Airborne School, and US Army Infantry School.
He is an inactive musician with previous participation in various roles on tours across North America. He has worked with artists such as The Word Alive, Of Mice & Men, For Today, A Skylit Drive, and The Rendering. Beyond music and live audio, he is an avid outdoorsman. He has traversed the Alaskan Arctic Circle and explored all 50 states.
Kunz currently splits his time between Seattle, WA and Ithaca, NY. He is a proud first-generation student
and fourth-generation soldier. He is happily married to his wonderful wife, Mei Ying. They're raising an
energetic daughter and two mischievous cats. The only things he loves more are Jeeps and breakfast
food.
TLDR: Interested in data science, machine learning, and complex systems for urban planning, public
health, and economics. Previous military and civil service with a deep commitment to the public
good. Inactive musician with previous work in various roles on tours across North America.
Contact
Welcoming questions, comments, and words of wisdom: nick.kunz@me.com