From Alaska to Ohio: Dustin Horton tabs ESL for his next adventure

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Dustin Horton
Dustin Horton

Researchers are known for being resourceful and inventive. They seek out the road less traveled in hopes of uncovering something new. Dustin Horton, a graduate research associate at Ohio State’s ElectroScience Laboratory (ESL), embodies these characteristics.  

Before enrolling in graduate studies in Ohio State’s Department for Electrical and Computer Engineering, Horton worked as a field technician in the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Prior to that experience, he spent a decade working as a mountaineering guide while maintaining a carpentry business. 

“I’m from a small town in Alaska called Girdwood, which is about 40 miles from Anchorage on the Turnagain Arm,” Horton shared. “It’s home to an awesome ski resort and bike park. I spent most of the last 10 years working as a mountaineering guide seasonally and a bear guard. I also had a small carpentry business."

His background may seem unconventional; however, it guided him toward the research initiatives he’s pursuing at ESL. 

“The last two years in Alaska, I worked for the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage,” Horton said. “I liked being able to apply what I learned from my undergrad degree to natural sciences and seeing all the other possibilities in this area.

“My research focus at ESL is remote sensing, which I’m conducting alongside Professor Joel Johnson,” Horton continued. “Right now, I am looking into the applicability of using a soil moisture retrieval algorithm with S-band datasets and whether these results can be used in conjunction with other frequency bands to yield better results."

Horton earned his bachelor’s degree in outdoor studies from Alaska Pacific University and electrical engineering from the University of Alaska. During his undergraduate studies, he first learned of the educational and research opportunities available at Ohio State and ESL.  

“My advisor at the University of Alaska as well as my previous boss, who are both Ohio State alumni, really helped me discover that I could work in fields other than what you expect an electrical engineer to do,” Horton said. “They are the people that steered me in the direction of Columbus, Ohio and the ElectroScience Laboratory. Talk about good recruiters!”

Feeling at home in Columbus also directed his journey to become a Buckeye. 

“It was a great opportunity to work in a field of research that really interests me. It is also close to where my parents now live, and it was the place I felt most at home and welcome during my visits before the coronavirus pandemic.”

Although the pandemic has presented obstacles, Horton remains enthusiastic about his chance to gain valuable experience and pursue new paths to discovery at ESL.

Continue reading to learn more about Dustin - in his own words:

What are your interests outside of school and work?
“I’ve been known to occasionally chase parked cars, but aside from that I am an avid mountain biker and bone breaker. I have the plates to prove it. I like climbing and kayaking. I used to do a lot of moose and sheep hunting before I moved to Ohio - maybe I’ll take up duck hunting. Pretty much anything that gets me out of the house. I have also considered starting a one-man band - I play a mean kazoo.”

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
“The Starship Enterprise. I would have Data and Geordi help me with homework.”

Describe the best day you've had recently.
“My nephew spent the weekend with me. We walked around campus and spent the rest of the day playing MarioKart and eating tacos. It was great until I had to spend the next day catching up on the fruits of my procrastination.”

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
“My superpower would have to be the ability to make every store, bar, brewery, etc. carry at least one really awesome porter. There’s only so many IPAs a person can take. It’s time to start packing on the calories for hibernation.”

What qualities do you look for in a friend?
“Grad students don’t have time for friends, but if they did… my friends usually have a dry sense of humor and appreciate the fact that everything is a joke with me!"

What is something you're looking forward to learning at ESL?
“I am most looking forward to being able to produce without having to ask a million little questions - gaining experience.”

Tag: My ESL