Brett Lucht

Brett Lucht is originally from Montgomery New Jersey and is a rising senior at Marist College in Poughkeepsie New York. He aims to achieve a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. Prior to the REU program at UMBC, Brett done research for the materials science division of Firmenich inc. and is a member of the Nadeau research group at Marist College. At Firmenich inc. he worked on the creation and modification of microparticles to parametrically control pickering emulsion traits. In the Nadeau research group, he has synthesized and characterized novel, solvatochromic, C-shaped organic molecules.

During his time at UMBC he will be working under Dr. Kelly creating and investigating copolymers of a known thermally responsive polymer (NIPAM) with a solvatochromic dye containing subunit. These dye-labeled responsive polymers will exhibit varied fluorescent emission based on its local environment. In turn, these polymers create the opportunity to measure a change in environment by fluoresce.

Outside of the lab, he spends his time drawing, reading historical books, trail running, and playing complex strategy games with friends. After graduation, he looks to attend a graduate school, and ultimately earn a PhD in Organic Chemistry or a related field.