Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Jose Colucci (Fed)

Industrial Specialist

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.


 

Awards

2022: DHS Secretary’s Commendation Certificate

2020: NIST Uriano Award

2020 – NIST MEP Cash for Excellence Award

2019 USPTO Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote Speaker

2018 DOC-NIST Team Bronze Medal Award

2009 EPA Environmental Quality Award Recipient

2012 ASEE Summer Conference Best Paper Award, ECE Division

2011 Distinguished Scholar Lecture – UPR Bayamón

there are more going back to my Private Sector experience and undergraduate awards

Created June 12, 2019, Updated December 9, 2022