Mark D Yarish

Mark Yarish is an Adjunct Professor at New York University and LaGuardia Community College, and a contract instructor for the City of New York, where he has taught courses on open data, statistics, data analytics, data visualization, Excel, Tableau, R, Python, and applied analytics for more than ten years. He holds a doctorate in Sustainability from Capitol Technology University, with research focused on geo analytics, GeoAI, environmental justice, data justice, and equitable urban redevelopment.

Mark’s published research examines how data systems, justice metrics, dashboards, and emerging technologies can support more transparent, accountable, and equitable decision-making in cities. His work focuses heavily on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, where issues of Superfund remediation, rezoning, stormwater management, combined sewer overflow, climate resilience, and community accountability intersect. His doctoral research explored how geo-analytics, AI-driven systems, environmental monitoring, IoT technologies, and justice-centered metrics can support more sustainable and equitable urban governance.

In addition to his academic work, Mark serves as an active member of the Gowanus Oversight Task Force and the Gowanus Canal EPA Community Advisory Group. Through this community-based work, he collaborates with local advocates and has experience engaging with city, state, and federal agencies, including the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. His applied research and civic engagement examine how public data, real-time monitoring systems, and community-centered analytics can help ensure that sustainability initiatives benefit existing residents and vulnerable communities.

Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in Management Information Systems from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a master’s degree in Earth Science Education from Hunter College through the City University of New York Teaching Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Before transitioning into higher education, Mark built a cross-sector career in technology, finance, investment banking, risk management, and project management. He worked in the technology sector with large data sets, enterprise systems, and computer-based business applications before moving into international investment banking, where his work connected analytics, operations, technology, and risk. This professional background gives his teaching a practical, industry-informed perspective and helps students understand how data, technology, and decision-making operate in real organizations.

Publications

• Operationalizing Equity in Urban Redevelopment: A Justice-Centered Metrics Framework By Scientia Moralitas: International Journal of Multi (Dec 24 2025)
• Toward Net Zero CSO: Designing a Real-Time Metrics Dashboard for Gowanus By RAIS Journal for Social Sciences (Nov 19 2025)
• Geo-analytics and eco-gentrification: A framework for equitable resilience in the Gowanus Canal By Scientia Moralitas: International Journal of Multi (Jul 24 2025)
• GeoAI and urban justice: An equity-centered governance model for redeveloping the Gowanus Canal By Scientia Moralitas: International Journal of Multi (Jul 24 2025)
• Balancing Urban Renewal, Eco-Gentrification, and Social Justice in the Gowanus Canal: A Case Study in Sustainability and Social Equity By New Horizons in Leadership: Inclusive Explorations (Jan 01 2025)
• Balancing Urban Renewal, Eco-Gentrification, and Social Justice in the Gowanus Canal: A Case Study in Sustainability and Social Equity By New Horizons in Leadership: Inclusive Explorations (Jan 01 2025)
• Balancing Urban Renewal, Eco-Gentrification, and Social Justice in the Gowanus Canal: A Case Study in Sustainability and Social Equity By New Horizons in Leadership: Inclusive Explorations (Jan 01 2025)
• Balancing urban renewal, eco-gentrification, and social justice in the Gowanus Canal: A case study in sustainability and social equity (Book chapter, co-authored with K. Richardson) By IGI Global Scientific Publishing (Jan 01 2025)