Dr. Yamatani has recently retired as professor emeritus of the School of Social Work University of Pittsburgh. His records of teaching and administrative responsibilities include former social work research professor and adjunct professor of MBA program, the coordinator of MSW/MBA Joint Degree Program, associate dean for research, the chair of promotion and tenure committee, director of strategic planning, and director of quality assurance. He has also headed university wide Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Policy and Evaluation (fellowship training of doctoral students from the Schools of Education, Public Health, Psychology, and Social Work), and an advisory committee member of the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). His research specialization includes human service/program evaluation, organizational development, and optimization of servcie impact with an extensive record of conducting evaluation research with non-profit organizations, including Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS), Children Youth and Family (CYF), Jail Collaborative, United Way, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Housing Authority of City of Pittsburgh plus Chicago, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Salvation Army, YWCA, etc.

His recognition awards for distinction in organizational evaluation includes "Hide's Court" – a playground dedicated to children of addicted young mothers in his name (by Hill District Community Collaborative); and along with members of the Heinz Endowment, Highmark Health, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Dr. Yamatani has been presented with the “Community Builders’ Award” for his distinguished community-based research (by Community Empowerment Association). He organized and founded Excellence Research, Inc. and conducted numerous research projects as the president and principal investigator for 37 years until his retirement.