Danny Horowitz is staking his claim as a modern-day pioneer on the frontier of climate change. Backed by donor support, he's well on his way.
Horowitz is doing his part, building an interdisciplinary foundation to tackle the complex challenges facing our environment. A third-year Applied Engineering Sciences student with minors in energy, business, and environmental and sustainability studies, he is putting his academic training to work in MSU's Energy Values Lab.
Under the guidance of Dr. Doug Bessette, Horowitz leads a team of undergraduate researchers examining both the technical and human aspects of clean energy transition. The team is building a database tracking organized opposition and support for renewable energy projects across Michigan and the United States, while also identifying efficient and equitable approaches to solar development.
“I want to do my part and make sure that I’m making a difference,” Horowitz said. “I want to be part of that positive change. The work that we’re doing plays directly into the future of the U.S. energy sphere and our dominance on the world stage.”
Donor support through the Honors Research Scholars Program and other academic scholarships fuels Horowitz’s work and his opportunities both as a Spartan and beyond.
“I’m getting hands-on experience in an area that I want to pursue professionally,” he said. “If I didn’t have this funding, I’d only be getting my feet wet in the project. Instead, I’ve been able to go a lot deeper.”
Horowitz envisions a future career helping major corporations meet their climate targets and then challenges them to go further, innovating success beyond simple compliance.
“None of this is possible without support,” Horowitz said. “It enables the next generation of researchers by investing in their futures. And it’s about confidence. If I can do this right now, what can I do in the future?”
Interested in helping students like Danny connect with Spartan organizations and programs on Give Green Day this year? Learn more at givingday.msu.edu.