I am a chemist and educator who studies art through the lens of chemistry. My research focuses on historical pigments—how they were made, how they change over time, and how we can better preserve works of art. In my lab, students work with both historical pigment reconstruction and modern analytical tools to study materials found in real artworks, helping to inform art conservators and conservation practices.
I mentor undergraduate researchers from all majors, including chemistry, biology, and other disciplines. Students in my lab may recreate historical pigment formulations using documented recipes, analyze materials using spectroscopy, or help study artworks from institutional collections. My goal is to create a collaborative and supportive research environment where students can explore their interests, build confidence, and see how chemistry can be used to answer meaningful questions about our shared cultural heritage.
Read more about me and my work here: https://www2.cortland.edu/news/in-living-color
Teaching
- CHE 303 – Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHE 227 (off sequence) General Chemistry I Lecture
- CHE 277 – General Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHE 278 – General Chemistry II Laboratory
Presentations and Publications
Schmitt, L. D.; Lees, A. J. “Selective Optical Aqueous and Nonaqueous Detection of Free sulfites” Patent Pending US 2024/0288410A1
Continuation of the application of the invention described by US20200263382A1 filed on April 6, 2020, now Pat. No. 11,953, 479. 4-pyrrolylpyridine, a novel anion sensor, displays substantial color loss upon addition of sodium sulfite in aqueous solvents.
Thomas, M.; Schmitt, L. D.; Lees, A. J. An Investigation into Anion Sensing of the Molecular Aggregate of 4-(pyrrol-1-yl)pyridine and Its derivatives. (2024) Molecules 29 (23) 5692.
Thomas, M.; Schmitt, L. D.; Lees, A. J. A New, Rapid, Colorimetric Chemodosimeter, 4-(Pyrrol-1-yl)pyridine, for Nitrite Detection in Aqueous Solution (2024) ACS Omega 9 (35) 37278.
Schmitt, L. D.; Lees, A. J. “Selective Optical Aqueous and Non-aqueous Detection of Free Sulfites” Patent Granted. US2o200263382A1 (US Granted 04/09/2024 – 04/11/2041)
The present invention relates to the field of optical aqueous anion detection, and more particularly to a sensitive and specific colorimetric sulfite ion detector, suitable for the accurate analytical detection of sulfites in consumer products, such as wine, cider, beer, many foods, and pharmaceuticals, and chemical solutions.
Thomas, M.; Schmitt, L. D.; Ainsworth, J.; Lees, A. J. (2023) A new sensor for the Food and Wine Industry: Use of 4-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine as a Naked Eye Colorimetric Chemodosimeter for Sulfite and Bisulfite in Aqueous Environments. Manuscript in preparation.
Schmitt, L. D.; Lees, A. J. “Selective Optical Aqueous and Non-aqueous Detection of Free Sulfites” Patent Granted (2022) EP18799905.7 (Granted 12/14/2022 – 10/05/2038)
The present invention relates to the field of optical aqueous anion detection, and more particularly to a sensitive and specific colorimetric sulfite ion detector, suitable for the accurate analytical detection of sulfites in consumer products, such as wine, cider, beer, many foods, and pharmaceuticals, and chemical solutions.
Schmitt, L. D. (2022) “Medieval Pigment Making: Revisiting Iris Green” Presented at the Annual CEMERS (Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies) Workshop Lecture Series Spring Colloquium.
Becker, H.; Rutkowski, T.; Ersan, V. G.; Poliks, M.; Piper, L.; Postlewait, M.; Schmitt, L. D.; Young, J.; Smart, P.; Imbruce, V. (2020) Materials Matter: Exploring ancient pigments in the classroom, Archeological Chemistry: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of the Past.