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Satej Soman

data + policy

Satej Soman is a PhD student at the UC Berkeley School of Information and a Doctoral Fellow at the Global Policy Lab.2 His research focuses on using remotely-sensed data, such as satellite imagery and digital traces, along with statistical and computational techniques to study global trends in inequality, urbanization, and the built environment.1

Research Interests and Contributions

Soman's work is broadly aimed at closing the gap between data- and prediction-driven policy insights and actual outcomes on the ground.1 His research has been supported by several prestigious organizations, including:

  • The World Bank
  • The National Science Foundation (through the Blum Center for Developing Economies)
  • The Center for Effective Global Action
  • The Centre for Economic Policy Research
  • The Global Policy Laboratory1

Academic Background

Soman's educational background includes:

  • PhD student at UC Berkeley School of Information (current)
  • Master's degree in Computational Analysis and Public Policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago
  • Undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley1

Professional Experience

Before pursuing his doctoral studies, Soman gained diverse professional experience:

  • Advised governments in South and Southeast Asia on their COVID-19 pandemic response12
  • Designed participatory urban planning tools for informal settlement activists in Western and Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Led engineering teams building data management platforms for clients in cybersecurity, insurance, healthcare, and aviation
  • Worked at a startup developing gesture-based interfaces using computer vision techniques1

Research Focus

At the UC Berkeley School of Information, Soman's research areas include:

  • Development studies
  • Policy prediction problems
  • Geospatial analysis
  • Machine learning
  • Data science
  • Urban systems45

Soman's work has contributed to important public health research, including assessing the burden of COVID-19 in developing countries through systematic review, meta-analysis, and public policy implications.3

Related Questions

What are some of Satej Soman's notable projects at the Global Policy Lab?
How has Satej Soman's work impacted urban planning in informal settlements?
What methodologies does Satej Soman use in his research on inequality and urbanization?
Can you provide examples of Satej Soman's contributions to COVID-19 response strategies in South and Southeast Asia?
What are Satej Soman's main research interests at the UC Berkeley School of Information?
Satej Soman
Satej Soman, photo 1
Satej Soman, photo 2
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Location

San Francisco Bay Area