Danny Klinenberg

Danny Klinenberg’s academic journey showcases his deep commitment to economics and education. A native of Sacramento, CA, Danny completed his undergraduate degree in Economics at Cal Poly, with minors in Math and Statistics, before pursuing the MSQE program to build on his foundational knowledge.

“I loved my undergraduate education at Cal Poly but wanted to delve deeper into advanced economic theory,” Danny explained. “The MSQE was a great way to do that without the initial six-year commitment of a Ph.D., though I ended up pursuing one anyway.”

The MSQE program prepared Danny exceptionally well for his Ph.D. at UCSB. “The advanced econometrics and computational skills I gained put me ahead in my Ph.D. coursework,” he shared. His R programming expertise led to opportunities to develop courses at UCSB, with some materials now integrated into Cal Poly’s curriculum.

Among his favorite courses was Advanced Econometrics with Carlos Flores. “I’ve always loved causal inference, and Professor Flores’ clear explanations made the concepts foundational for my work today,” Danny said.

While at Cal Poly, Danny was active outside the classroom, serving as President of the Economics Society and the Recreational Tennis Club, as well as being a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi. His accomplishments include multiple academic awards and publishing research in esteemed journals like The Journal of Business and Economic Statistics.

Danny recently began his role as an Economist at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he advises on program evaluation. Reflecting on his time at Cal Poly, he emphasized the importance of balance. “Part of studying is taking breaks. Work hard during the week, but make time for activities like surfing at Pismo Beach and enjoying cinnamon rolls at Emily’s,” he said.

Looking ahead, Danny is excited to apply his skills to complex economic challenges, continuing to bridge academic theory with real-world impact.

This profile was published in the Winter of 2024.