At the12th edition of the Prof. Raúl Trajtenberg National Economics Award, the Dr. Facundo Danza received an honorable mention, while Dr. Santiago Acerenza was awarded the “top cited” category for an article published in 2023 in the Journal of Applied Econometrics.
Facundo Danza: Environmental and Energy Economics
Facundo Danza is an economist; he holds a master’s degree in economics and completed his PhD in economics at New York University in 2024. Upon returning to Uruguay, he joined ORT as a researcher.
His work on environmental challenges related to water use was recognized at the12th Raúl Trajtenberg Competition, held in December 2024.
"The article examines the costs and benefits associated with irrigation in the agricultural sector, focusing on 'one of the most important aquifers in the West, the Ogallala Aquifer in the United States,'" the researcher explained.
To evaluate public policies that promote a more sustainable use of water resources, Danza combined agronomic and economic models.
This mention also serves as a recognition of the importance of incorporating environmental considerations into the development challenges facing our society.
Dr. Facundo Danza
Today, his research focuses on environmental economics and energy economics. Among other projects, he is studying the effects of air pollution in Montevideo on education and health, the impact of climate change on labor migration, and the economic and environmental effects of installing solar panels in Uruguay.
Danza acknowledged that receiving this recognition was “a great honor.” He noted that, in previous years, the award had gone to professionals who had guided him throughout his career and whom he deeply admires.
Santiago Acerenza: Advances in Theoretical Econometrics
Santiago Acerenza—who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad ORT Uruguay a PhD in Economics from Iowa State University (United States)—is a researcher at ORT’s School of Management and Social Sciences, as well as an “Initiation” level researcher in the Social Sciences area, sub-area of Economics and Business, within the National System of Researchers (SNI). Among his main research interests is theoretical econometrics, where he works on developing methods to robustly identify causal relationships.
In 2024, he was named a “top cited” author by the *Journal of Applied Econometrics* for having written, in 2023, the article that received the most citations.
His work focuses on validating economic models and preventing erroneous conclusions. The paper is titled “Testing Identifying Assumptions in Bivariate Probit Models,” and his co-authors are Otávio Bartalotti and Désiré Kédagni.
"The article is about how to test models," he explained. "A model always has a set of assumptions that, if met, ensure that the conclusions drawn from an analysis are correct. Understanding reality without using models is very complex, so we simplify it as much as possible."
Acerenza pointed out that “simplification often makes sense,” but at other times it does not. “In my paper, I derive the implications that a widely used model has for the data. If the model holds, those practical implications should be observable.”
This contribution offers practical tools for avoiding decisions based on inappropriate models, which has made it highly influential in the field.
This is important because an inaccurate model is likely to yield inaccurate conclusions, which can lead to incorrect decisions.
Dr. Santiago Acerenza
Tips for Young Researchers
“My first piece of advice would be to consider a career in research, ”Danza encouraged. “It offers great freedom to study the topics that interest you and provides the opportunity to constantly interact with brilliant people who are studying the current issues facing our society in depth.”
A second piece of advice, he said, is not to hesitate to ask colleagues and mentors for help as you embark on your academic career. “I’ve been fortunate to have a career that I enjoy and value greatly, precisely because of the help and guidance I’ve received from many friends and colleagues along the way.”
Meanwhile, Acerenza recommended that, in addition to studying economics, it is important to study mathematics and philosophy. “Mathematics because it fosters critical thinking, allows you to understand things in depth from a more abstract perspective, and will also be useful in your educational journey,” he explained. “Philosophy because economics, while interesting, is extremely imperfect and flawed when it comes to understanding human behavior; philosophy allows you to think outside the box and approach problems from a different angle.”
Both researchers agree on the importance of interdisciplinary training and intellectual curiosity as driving forces behind an academic career. As Danza noted, research is “a challenging path, but one with great rewards.” For Acerenza, it is essential to complement economics with mathematics and philosophy in order to approach problems “from a different angle.”