Lutz Grossmann is an assistant professor in food science, and focuses on Translational Technology in IALS.
IALS: Hi Lutz, thank you for speaking with us today. We have a few questions for you so everyone on campus can get to know you better. How long have you been at UMass Amherst?
LG: It’s already been 3 years—time flies!
IALS: Where did you grow up?
LG: I’m from Stuttgart, Germany, the hometown of Bosch, Mercedes Benz, and Porsche. Funny enough, despite that, I ended up as a food scientist!
IALS: Does the love of science run in your family?
LG: Not really. My uncle has a background in the natural sciences, but my parents and siblings are in non-science fields.
IALS: How long have you been teaching?
LG: I’ve been teaching for about 6 years now, starting during my PhD.
IALS: What is more stressful, grant proposals, research, or teaching?
LG: The challenge is balancing all three—combining them is definitely the most stressful part.
IALS: Assuming your research is widely successful, how will it impact society?
LG: I hope it will contribute to making food more sustainable and enjoyable.
IALS: Who do you admire and why?
LG: I admire several colleagues who have helped advance food science and shape the field into what it is today.
IALS: What are your interests when you are not a scientist?
LG: On weekends, you’ll usually find me hiking. And, being German, I can’t resist enjoying a good beer at the local breweries—especially after a hike!
IALS: Thank you so much Lutz!