Professional Profile

Mark is an accomplished biomedical research scientist and veterinary physician who has earned three post-baccalaureate degrees including two doctorates in Veterinary Medicine and Biochemistry/Cell Biology with numerous peer-reviewed publications to his credit. Working as a top award-winning Sales Executive with a major Fortune 130 company, he consults on nanotechnology needs for biological and material scientists employed with academic/biotech/clinical labs including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Department of Defense (DOD), National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Smithsonian Institution. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, the University of Maryland NanoCenter and the World Veterinary Association.

After joining the Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force auxiliary), Mark quickly rose thru the ranks and received his solo wings, participated in IACE and capped his CAP cadet career with the General Carl A Spaatz Award in 1981 for which he received a congratulatory letter from President Richard M. Nixon and met with Paul E. Garber (First Curator of the National Air & Space Museum). Lt Col Kukucka earned the Gill Robb Wilson Award in 2013 and is currently serving as the Missions Directorate (A7) and is responsible for the execution of the 3 programs of the Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol including Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs & Education & Training in addition to being a commercial instrument-rated airplane and helicopter pilot. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2838-909X