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Jose Colucci (Fed)

Industrial Specialist

Technology Partnerships Office - HQ

jose.colucci-rios [at] nist.gov

(301) 975-0413

Staff Employment

NIST MEP National Programs Division Industrial Specialist - Present

NIST MEP Acting Division Chief - February 2022 to June 2022

DHS Secretary Office, Executive Assistant (DETAIL) - July 2021 to February 2022

NIST-MEP, Southeast Regional Manager - April 2016 to July 2021

USPTO, Patent Examiner - July 2012 to April 2016

University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, Professor, Researcher, Department Head, Associate Dean, Campus Wide R&D Center Director - July 1992 to July 2012,

Union Carbide Corporation, Process Engineer, Research Scientist, Worldwide Business Manager and Market Manager, March 1985 to June 1992

Areas of Expertise

Dr. José Colucci-Rios has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and has extensive experience leading and managing research collaborations that interface with government, academia, and industry. He is currently an Industrial Specialist in the National Programs group of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Previous positions at NIST MEP includes Acting Division Chief of the Extension Services Division and Regional Manager of 10-15 Public-Private Partnerships Centers. In addition, he was a Patent Examiner with the DOC-USPTO receiving several productivity awards. In other sectors, José was a professor and researcher in Chemical Engineering and worked for Union Carbide in positions ranging from a Research Engineer to a Market Manager in the Polymers, Specialty Chemicals and Solvents & Coatings divisions.

In the renewable energy area, José was the technical project director for the installation of several renewable energy demonstration projects in Puerto Rico. These projects had capital expenditures exceeding $5 million and included photovoltaic, green building, fuel cell and biodiesel projects that involved a host of small businesses. José was also a collaborator in two studies to assess the viability of renewable energy technologies in Puerto Rico.

His most recent awards include recipient in 2018 of NIST’s Bronze Group Medal Award in as Project Manager for expediting, cross-agency funding and program support of MEP Centers to assist manufacturers impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and María. In addition, he was the 2019 USPTO Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote Speaker. In 2020 he obtained the NIST Uriano Award for leadership in the NIST response to the CARES Act appropriations to help manufacturers prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic. He also received NIST MEP Cash for Excellence Award. Last but not least, while in a 8 months Detail at DHS (2021-2022) he was awarded a Commendation Certificate from the Secretary.