Hometown
"My first exposure to the research world was a note scribbled by Dr. Geoff Bowers (associate professor of chemistry and department chair) at the top of a freshman-year General Chemistry II quiz: 'You should talk to professors about getting involved in undergraduate research.' I showed up to Dr. Bowers’ office with an expression that matched my internal confusion. The phrase 'undergraduate research' was foreign to me. I joined Dr. Bowers’ research group shortly after this conversation and began researching the chemistry of fossil shark tooth enameloid. I immediately fell in love with the subject and began fossil hunting relentlessly at the nearby Calvert Cliffs in my limited free time*, building a large collection of fossil shark teeth. Throughout my college experience, with the exceptional mentorship and friendship of Dr. Bowers, this research explored many paths before settling on the final subject: investigating the spatial distribution of zinc across the enameloid of fossil megalodon teeth, discovering that this extinct megashark armored the high stress areas of its teeth with this element. My senior thesis was awarded the Myron G. Marlay Award for Science and was published in the peer-reviewed journal Palaeontologia Electronica, on which I am the lead author.
"I graduated from SMCM in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry with a minor in biology. Enthused by my undergraduate research on fossils, I have continued my education at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, where I am pursuing a Master of Science degree in paleobiology. Staying true to my research interests, my master’s thesis will explore the changes and trends in the morphology of shark teeth throughout the Cenozoic era, utilizing a powerful new computational technique known as theoretical morphospace analysis, developed by faculty at the University of Bristol. Following the completion of my master’s, I will pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, researching the nanostructure of fossil tooth enamel, with the end goal of becoming a professor and inspiring and mentoring the next generation of scientists."
*In addition to his academic pursuits, Luke was a member of the varsity swimming team and the 2025 NCAA Division III 50-Yard Freestyle National Champion - the first SMCM student-athlete to win an individual NCAA championship.