A Mumbai-based reporter recently interviewed Hatim J. Kagalwala and asserted that the Tandon alum “represents a new generation of data scientists - those who blend technical mastery with business savvy and human-centered values.” In a crowded tech ecosystem, he wrote, “[Kagawala] stands out as a voice of clarity, integrity, and vision.”
Even a short conversation with Kagalwala shows that such praise is warranted.
Although he had focused on Mechanical Engineering during his undergraduate studies at the University of Mumbai, by the time Kagalwala chose a master’s program, he had become most interested in how mathematical models could explain or predict real-world outcomes. Drawn by the chance to study with scholars like the late Peter Carr and Nassim Taleb, he entered NYU Tandon’s Department of Finance and Risk Engineering, where a course on machine learning unveiled the intersections among data science, statistical modeling, and predictive analytics. “Combining finance, technology, and data was a natural progression for me, and that's where the journey truly began,” Kagalwala has said.
That professional journey commenced right after graduation at a small fintech startup, where his wide-ranging duties even included pitching in with marketing. “The learning curve was steep in that initial job,” he says, “but I couldn’t have asked for a better first step because it gave me the chance to take on a wide range of responsibilities.” It proved to be solid preparation for his move to American Express, where, as a Data Science manager, he developed time-series forecasting models for global credit portfolios, influencing investment decisions, and ensuring financial stress testing – goals that allowed him to see the practical applications of his work.
In 2021 Kagalwala joined Amazon, where he led the development of machine-learning systems that help drive large-scale decisions. “One of my proudest moments was building a zero-to-one model that is now used by multiple teams. Being trusted with that kind of responsibility and seeing something I built go live and scale across the company was a big milestone for me,” he recalls.
He credits NYU Tandon for much of his success, saying, “My classes gave me a solid technical foundation, and the weekly industry talks helped me understand what was happening in the real world, beyond my textbooks.”
Asked his best advice for current students hoping to follow in his admittedly large footsteps, he lists:
- Be curious and keep learning — learning doesn’t stop when school ends.
- Build your skills and stay on top of new developments.
- Technology changes fast, but a curious, problem-solving mindset will always be in demand.
- Growth often comes from small habits.
- Don’t hesitate to take on something that feels a little out of your depth; that also leads to growth.
- Build your network and stay connected with peers, alumni, and professionals in your field.
- Put your work out there. Whether it’s GitHub, a blog, or a personal site, just having something public shows initiative, and that kind of visibility can help you stand out in a way a resume cannot.