Luke Roberson
As a newer member of the ACS YCC (2007), I am still getting my feet wet. I serve on the Society Interface and Outreach and National Meeting Activities Subcommittees. I am co-chairing the YCC symposium on Science and Government at the April 2008 National Meeting in New Orleans. I received my B.S. in polymer chemistry (2000), M.S. in physical organic chemistry (2002), and Ph.D. in polymer chemistry (2005) from Georgia Tech. My graduate research involved conductive polymers and polymer microelectronic architectures through the design and fabrication of single crystal organic field-effect transistors and polymer solar cells. The research resulted in several presentations at ACS national meetings and in publications. Following graduation I have been employed as a polymer research chemist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the Applied Technology Directorate. My role is to create and develop new technologies in the areas of conductive polymers, polymer nanocomposites, and polymer coatings for use in ground launch support equipment, Shuttle flight hardware, and Constellation programs such as the Lunar Base and Orion/Ares vehicles. I am constantly involved with industry and academic institutions to progress technology. Through the ACS, I have developed numerous technical and personal contacts in several key fields that have helped to advance my career and technical capabilities.