Graduate Student Highlight: Daniel Lux
Each week, the Department of Chemistry highlights a graduate student who is doing interesting and exciting work within the department. In this installment of our highlight series, we are featuring Daniel Lux, a fourth-year student in the Giri group.
Danny’s research focuses on the development of new synthetic methodologies using alkene dicarbofunctionalization, a reaction that can form two carbon-carbon bonds in a single step. This is important because it allows the Giri group to achieve molecular complexity more efficiently. More specifically, Danny’s reactions deal with designing coordinating group-free methods for difunctionalization.
This week, we met virtually with Danny to discuss his life in and outside of the lab! Please enjoy our interview with Danny Lux.
Question: What inspires you as a scientist?
Answer: I am very interested in chemistry because I'm fascinated by our ability to transform one substance into another. I really love the idea of total synthesis of natural products because it allows us to make important drug molecules that are found naturally but cannot be readily accessed.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Highland Mills, NY.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: I enjoy reading about history.
Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
A: My favorite way to spend a day off would be to watch an old movie.
Thanks to Danny for these interesting and thoughtful answers! We hope you enjoyed this interview. Stay tuned for more graduate student highlights in the weeks to come!