Urban Science PhD Colloquium: Paul Schwartz in conversation with Ya-Ting Liu
The Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon welcomes you to attend an Urban Science PhD Colloquium featuring Paul Schwartz, Deputy Commissioner in the Division of Bridges in the New York City Department of Transportation, in conversation with Ya-Ting Liu, Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy at NYU Tandon.
Please note that this event has limited capacity and is open only to NYU graduate students and faculty, with priority given to students in the Urban Science Doctoral Track. Approved registrants will receive the event location in advance of the talk. Lunch will be provided.
Schedule
Lunch: 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
Conversation: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Q&A: 1:30PM – 1:45 PM
About the Speakers
Ya-Ting Liu
Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy
Ya-Ting Liu is Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy at NYU Tandon, where she partners with the Executive Dean and senior leadership to advance the school’s strategic priorities and coordinate key initiatives across the institution. In this role, she helps guide the execution of Tandon’s short- and long-term vision, provides organizational leadership for the Office of the Dean, and works with stakeholders across the university to support the school’s continued growth and impact.
Prior to joining NYU, Ya-Ting served as New York City’s first Chief Public Realm Officer, where she led cross-agency efforts to improve and activate public spaces across the city. In that role, she coordinated initiatives among city agencies, community organizations, and private-sector partners, overseeing the implementation of the nation’s largest outdoor dining program, advancing scaffolding reform legislation, and developing new frameworks to make it easier for communities to program and activate public spaces. Ya-Ting has also held leadership roles at Via, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Transportation Alternatives, and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, where she focused on policy development, coalition building, and advancing sustainable urban infrastructure.
Ya-Ting holds a bachelor’s degree in conservation studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Paul Schwartz, PE
Deputy Commissioner – Bridges. New York City Department of Transportation
In his role as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer, Mr. Schwartz oversees all aspects of design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, operation and administration of the 814 bridges and 4 vehicular tunnels under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Transportation. The inventory includes the four East River Bridges (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and Queensboro bridges) and 23 movable bridges.
He is responsible for formulating policy and providing executive and administrative direction for the Division of Bridges with a team of nearly 650 engineers, technicians, tradespeople, planners and administrators, overseeing a capital budget of $14B over the next 10 years. Under his leadership, the Agency implemented the Nation’s first automated enforcement of Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology.
Having joined NYC DOT in the fall of 2002, Mr. Schwartz started his career as a Project Manager Intern in Maintenance, Inspection, and Operations. For the next 23 years, he served in many roles in the Division of Bridges before being appointed as Chief Engineer in fall of 2021.
In addition to his dedication to public service, his accolades include being on the board of the International Cable Supported Bridge Owners Association and was named the Municipal Engineers of the City of New York’s Engineer of the Year (2024). He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, College of Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York.
About the Urban Science Doctoral Track at CUSP
The interdisciplinary Doctoral Track in Urban Science: Complexity, Informatics, and Sensing, led by the Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon, fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment for Ph.D. students across NYU Tandon who share an interest in convergent urban science research. Visit our website to learn more.