Maxwell Bartlett is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut, advised by Dr. Wilson Chiu. His research journey began in computational heat transfer, and has since expanded to include experimental and computational geochemistry—with a surprising passion for electrochemistry. “As a mechanical engineer, I never expected to fall in love with electrochemistry,” he admits, “but now I find it just as exciting as heat transfer.”

Maxwell’s academic path is deeply rooted in UConn, where he first enrolled as an undergraduate in 2018. His hands-on mindset led him to an early internship at Resonetics, a medical device manufacturer, where he honed his skills in machine design and manufacturing engineering. He credits this real-world exposure for shaping his research interests and reinforcing his desire to explore complex engineering challenges from multiple angles.

Currently, Maxwell serves on the Social Media Committee of the John Lof Leadership Academy and was recently elected Financial Director for the 2024–2025 executive board. “JLLA has given me an academic lens through which to reflect on my leadership experiences,” he says. “I’ve led teams before, but understanding leadership theory helps make sense of the dynamics I’ve encountered in practice.”

Looking ahead, Maxwell is focused on gaining experience across diverse lab settings and encourages fellow students to remain open-minded in their academic journeys. “Try as many new things as you can,” he advises. “You won’t know what excites you until you’re in it. That self-awareness will make your career—and your life—far more fulfilling.”