Dr. MacCuspie currently serves as a Regulatory Affairs Manager at Proxima Clinical Research, a contract research organization that serves the emerging drug and medical device industries.
Prior to joining the Proxima team, Rob served as the VP of Science at a rolled goods materials science startup, leading their entrance to the medical device space by helping identify regulatory strategies and leading building their first quality management systems, and as Director of Science at a leading dietary supplement company, where he contributed to the company’s first medical device product development regulatory and testing strategies and developed and delivered product education for practitioners and consumers. Rob has previously been the First Faculty and Director of Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials programs on the startup team at Florida Polytechnic University, founded a consulting company to help scientific startups accelerate their path to market, and worked in the national lab system including at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, contributing with the Nanotechnology Characterization Lab collaboration between NIST, NCI, and FDA to develop standards and methods to accelerate cancer nanomedicines from bench to bedside.
Dr. MacCuspie earned his Ph.D. in Nanotechnology and Materials Chemistry from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from the University of Central Florida. He has published 45 peer-reviewed publications which have been cited over 3,400 times and holds 1 US Patent. Rob has also written and presented content for multiple scientific companies to help with their product education and technical sales efforts, and has been on dozens of product launch teams.
University of Central Florida: Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Microbiology, B.S.
The Graduate Center of the City University of New York: Nanotechnology and Materials Chemistry, Ph.D.
Proxima Clinical Research, Inc., Houston, Texas
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Folia Materials
VP Science and Advisor
Nanosafe, Inc.
Director of Regulatory and Testing Services
MacCuspie Innovations
Founder and President
Natural Immunogenics Corp.
Director of Science
Director of Laboratories
Florida Polytechnic University
First Faculty,
Dir. of Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials Programs
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Research Chemist
Air Force Research Laboratory
NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. MacCuspie has played an important role in the development of the following medical products:
- Medical Device- Antiviral surgical face mask
- Medical Device- Antimicrobial wound dressing
- Dietary supplement for immune support
- Dietary supplement for immune support for kids
- NIST Reference Material 8017 – Silver Nanoparticles, nominal diameter 75 nm
Dr. MacCuspie has contributed to the following peer-reviewed publications:
“Prevention through design: insights from computational fluid dynamics modeling to predict exposure to ultrafine particles from 3D printing.” R.I. MacCuspie, W.C. Hill, D.R. Hall, A. Korchevskiy, C.D. Strode, A.J. Kennedy, M.L. Ballentine, T. Rycroft, M.S. Hull. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A (2021), 84(11), 458-474.
“Testing of commercial masks and respirators and cotton mask insert materials using SARS-CoV-2 virion sized particulates: comparison of ideal aerosol filtration efficiency.” W.C. Hill, M.S. Hull, R.I. MacCuspie. Nano Letters (2020), 20(10), 7642-7647.
“Characterization of Nanoparticles for Nanomaterial Environmental Health and Safety Studies: The Physics and Metrology for Several Common Approaches.” R.J. Matyi, R.I. MacCuspie. IEEE Nanotechnoogy Magainze (2020), 14(5), 7-22.
“Tiered Guidance for Risk-Informed Environmental Health and Safety Testing of Nanotechnologies.” Z.A. Collier, A.J. Kennedy, A.R. Poda, M.F. Cuddy, R.D. Moser, R.I. MacCuspie, A. Harmon, K. Plourde, C.D. Haines, J.A. Steevens. Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2015), 17(1), 155.
“Timescale of silver nanoparticle transformation in neural cell cultures impacts measured cell response.” S.L. Hume, A.N. Chiaramonti, K.P. Rice, R.K. Schwindt, R.I. MacCuspie, K.M. Jeerage. Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2015), 17(3), 315.
“Unexpected changes in functionality and surface coverage for Au nanoparticle PEI conjugates: Implications for stability and efficacy in biological systems.” T.J. Cho, J.M. Pettibone, J.M. Gorham, T.M. Nguyen, R.I. MacCuspie, J. Gigault, V.A. Hackley. Langmuir (2015), 31(27), 7673.
“A Framework for Identifying Performance Targets for Sustainable Nanomaterials.” R.I. MacCuspie, H. Hyman, C. Yakymyshyn, S. Srinivasan, J. Dhau, C. Drake. Sustainable Materials and Technologies (2014), 1-2, 17-25. *Invited Article for First Issue of SM&T
“Capabilities of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the size measurement of nanoparticles: A case study on gold nanoparticles.” J. Liu, K.E. Murphy, R.I. MacCuspie, M.R. Winchester. Analytical Chemistry (2014),86(7), 3405-3414.
“Dissolution, Agglomerate Morphology, and Stability Limits of Protein-Coated Silver Nanoparticles” M.N. Martin, A.J. Allen, R.I. MacCuspie, V.A. Hackley. Langmuir, (2014), 30(38), 11442-11452.
“Identification and avoidance of potential artifacts and misinterpretations in nanomaterial ecotoxicity measurements.” E.J. Petersen, T.B. Henry, J. Zhao, R.I. MacCuspie, T. Kirschling, M.A. Dobrovolskaia, V.A. Hackley, X. Baoshan, J.C. White. Environmental Science & Technology (2014), 48(8), 4226-4246.
“Storage Wars: How citrate capped silver nanoparticle suspensions are affected by not-so-trivial decisions.” J.M. Gorham, A.B. Rolfing, K.A. Lippa, R.I. MacCuspie, A. Hemmati, R.D. Holbrook. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, (2014), 16, 2339.
“Highly Stable Positively Charged Dendron-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles.” T.J. Cho, R.I. MacCuspie, J. Gigault, J.M. Gorham, J.T. Elliott, V.A. Hackley. Langmuir, (2014), 30(13), 3883.
“Interplay of surface functionalization and water chemistry on the disinfection action of silver nanoparticles.” E.K. Fauss, R.I. MacCuspie, V. Oyanedel-Craver, J.A. Smith, N.S. Swami. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, (2014), 113(1), 77-84.
“Just Add Water – reproducible singly dispersed silver nanoparticle suspensions.” R.I. MacCuspie, A.J. Allen, M.N. Martin, V.A. Hackley. J. of Nanoparticle Research, (2013), 15, 1760.
“Refining the Statistical Model for Quantitative AFM Immunostaining of Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles.” R.I. MacCuspie, D.E. Gorka. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, (2013), 405(25), 8197-8206.
“Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Repsonses of Rats to Inhalation of Silver Nanoparticles.” J.R. Roberts, W. McKinney, H. Kan, K. Krajnak, D.G. Frazer, T.A. Thomas, S. Waugh, R.I. MacCuspie, V.A. Hackley, V. Castranova. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A: Current Issues, (2013), 76(11), 651-658.
“Gold Nanorod Shape Characterization by Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation.” J.C. Gigault, T.J. Cho, R.I. MacCuspie, V.A. Hackley. Analytical Bioanalytical Chemistry, (2013), 405(4), 1191-1202.
“Colormetric Detection with Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates: Effect of Aptamer Length on Response.” J. Chavez, R.I. MacCuspie, N. Kelley-Loughnane, M.O. Stone. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, (2012), 14(10), 1166.
“UV-induced photochemical transformations of citrate-capped silver nanoparticles.” J.M. Gorham, R.I. MacCuspie, K.L. Klein, D.H. Fairbrother, R.D. Holbrook. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, (2012), 14(10), 1139.
“Tumor Necrosis Factor Interaction with Gold Nanoparticles” D.-H. Tsai, S.R. Elzey, F.W. DelRio, R.I. MacCuspie, S. Guha, M.R. Zachariah, A.M. Keene, K.M. Tyner, J.D. Clogston, V.A. Hackley. Nanoscale, (2012), 4(10), 3208-3217.
“Nucleation kinetics and mechanical property characterization of polyethylene glycol brushes on bare gold substrates.” G. Stan, F.W. DelRio, R.I. MacCuspie, R.F. Cook. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, (2012), 116(10), 3138-3147.
“In-situ UV/Vis, SAXS and TEM study of single phase Au Nanoparticle Growth.” H. Koerner, R.I. MacCuspie, K. Park, R.A. Vaia. Chemistry of Materials, (2012), 24(6), 981-995.
“Does Shape Matter? Bioeffects of Gold Nanomaterials in a Human Skin Cell Model.” N.M. Schaeublin, L.K. Bradyich-Stolle, E.I. Maurer, K. Park, R.I. MacCuspie, A.R.M.N. Afrooz, N.B. Saleh, R.A. Vaia, S.M. Hussain. Langmuir, (2012), 28(6), 3248-3258.
“Measuring gold nanoparticle agglomerate size distribution and dependence of localized surface plasmon resonance absorbance on agglomerate size using analytical ultracentrifugation.” J.M. Zook, V. Rastogi, A.M. Keene, J. Fagan, R.I. MacCuspie. ACS Nano, (2011), 5(10), 8070-8079. *Selected for NIST Tech Beat research highlight.
“Measuring silver nanoparticle dissolution in complex biological and environmental matrices using UV-Visible absorbance.” J.M. Zook, S.E. Long, D. Cleveland, C.L.A. Geronimo, R.I. MacCuspie. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, (2011), 401(6), 1993-2002.
“Challenges for Physical Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Under Pristine and Environmentally Relevant Conditions.” R.I. MacCuspie, K. Rogers, M. Patra, Z. Suo, A.J. Allen, M.N. Martin, V.A. Hackley. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, (2011), 13(5), 1212-1226.
*HOT Article *Invited article for special issue on Environmental Nanotechnology. *Top 10 Most Downloaded Article in May & June 2011
“Persistence of Singly Dispersed Silver Nanoparticles in Natural Freshwaters, Synthetic Seawater, and Simulated Estuarine Waters.” S.L. Chinnapongse, R.I. MacCuspie, V.A. Hackley. Science of the Total Environment, (2011), 409(12), 2443-2450.
“Humic Acid-Mediated Silver Nanoparticle Formation Under Environmentally Relevant Conditions.” N. Akaighe, R.I. MacCuspie, D.A. Navarro, D.S. Aga, S. Banerjee, M. Sohn, V.K. Sharma. Environmental Science & Technology, (2011), 45(9), 3895-3901. *NIST Homepage News’ Top Article 5/10/11. *NIST Tech Beat research highlight.
“Antibody-Mediated Self-Limiting Self-Assembly for Quantitative Analysis of Nanoparticle Surfaces by Atomic Force Microscopy.” C.L.A. Geronimo, R.I. MacCuspie. Microscopy and Microanalysis, (2011), 17(2), 206-214.
“Newkome type dendron stabilized gold nanoparticles: Syntheses, reactivity, and stability.” T.J. Cho, R.A. Zangmeister, R.I. MacCuspie, A.K. Patri, V.A. Hackley. Chem. Materials, (2011), 23(10), 2665-2676. *NIST Homepage News’ Top Article 6/21/11 & Tech Beat highlight.
“Adsorption and Conformation of Serum Albumin Protein on Gold Nanoparticles Investigated using Dimensional Measurements and In Situ Spectroscopic Methods.” D.-H. Tsai, F.W. DelRio, A.M. Keene, K.M. Tyner, R.I. MacCuspie, T.J. Cho, M.R. Zachariah, V.A. Hackley. Langmuir, (2011), 27(6), 2464-2477.
“Colloidal Stability of Silver Nanoparticles Under Biologically Relevant Conditions.” R.I. MacCuspie. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, (2011), 13(7), 2893-2908.
“Stable nanoparticle aggregates / agglomerates of different sizes and the effect of their size on hemolytic cytotoxicity.” J.M. Zook, R.I. MacCuspie, L.E. Locassio, M.D. Halter, J.T. Elliot. Nanotoxicology, (2011), 5(4), 517-530. *Selected for NIST Tech Beat research highlight.
“Dispersion Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles in Synthetic Lung Fluid Studied Under In Situ Conditions.” R.I. MacCuspie, A.J. Allen, V.A. Hackley. Nanotoxicology, (2011), 5(2), 141-157.
“Competitive Adsorption of Thiolated Polyethylene Glycol and Mercaptoproprionic acid on Gold Nanoparticles Measured by Physical Characterization Methods.” D.-H. Tsai, F.W. DelRio, R.I. MacCuspie, T.J. Cho, M.R. Zachariah, V.A. Hackley. Langmuir, (2010), 26(12), 10325-10333.
“Purification – Chemical Structure – Electrical Property Relationship in Gold Nanoparticle Liquids.” R.I. MacCuspie, A.M. Elsen, S.J. Diamanti, S.T. Patton, I. Altfeder, J.D. Jacobs, , A.A. Voevodin, R.A. Vaia. Applied Organometallic Chemistry, (2010), 24(8), 590-599.
“Optical Properties of Rodlike Metallic Nanostructures: Insight from Theory and Experiment.” J. Duan, K. Park, R.I. MacCuspie, R.A. Vaia, R. Pachter. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, (2009), 113(35), 15524-15532.
“Comparison of Electrical Properties of Viruses Studied by AC Capacitance Scanning Probe Microscopy.” R.I. MacCuspie, N. Nuraje, S.-Y. Lee, A. Runge, H. Matsui. Journal of the American Chemical Society, (2008), 130(3), 887-891.
“Virus Assay Using Antibody-Functionalized Peptide Nanotubes.” R.I. MacCuspie, I.A. Banerjee, C. Pejoux, H.S. Mostowski, S. Gummalla, P.R. Krause, H. Matsui. Soft Matter, (2008), 4, 833.
“Nanoparticle-Wetted Surfaces for Relays and Energy Transmission Contacts.” A.A.Voevodin, R.A. Vaia, S.T. Patton, S. Diamanti, M. Pender, M. Yoonessi, J. Brubaker, J.J. Hu, J.H. Sanders, B.S. Phillips, R.I. MacCuspie. Small, (2007), 3(11), 1957-1963.
“Self-Assembly of Au Nanoparticle-containing Peptide Nano-rings on Surfaces.” N. Nuraje, K. Su, J. Samson, A. Haboosheh, R.I. MacCuspie, H. Matsui. Supramolecular Chemistry, (2006), 18(5), 429-434. *Invited article. *9th Most Downloaded Article in Supramolecular Chem. in 2006
“Controlled Growth of Se Nanoparticles on Ag Nanoparticles in Different Ratios.” X. Gao, L. Yu, R. MacCuspie, H. Matsui. Advanced Materials, (2005), 17(4), 426-429.
“Thiolated Peptide Nanotube Assembly as Arrays on Patterned Au Substrates.” I.A. Banerjee, L. Yu, R.I. MacCuspie, H. Matsui. Nano Letters, (2004), 4(12), 2437-2440.
“Biological bottom-up assembly of antibody nanotubes on patterned antigen arrays.” N. Nuraje, I.A. Banerjee, R.I. MacCuspie, L. Yu, H. Matsui. Journal of the American Chemical Society, (2004), 126(26), 8088-8089. *7th Most Accessed Article in JACS for 3rd quarter 2007.
“Metalloporphyrin Nanotube Fabrication Using Peptide Nanotubes as Templates.” H. Matsui, R. MacCuspie. Nano Letters, (2001), 1(12), 671-675.
Dr. MacCuspie has contributed to the following conferences & workshops:
“Careers in Industry utilizing colloidal and surface science.” Fall 2019 American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Diego, CA, Aug 26-30, 2019.
“Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Issues for Nanomaterials.” 2011 Nanotechnology for Defense (NT4D), Bellevue, WA, Oct 24-27, 2011.
“RR-Interdisciplinary Approaches to Safe Nanotechnologies.” Fall 2010 Materials Research Society Meeting, Boston, MA, Nov 29-Dec2, 2010.
“NIST-US Army Corp ERDC Nano Silver Workshop”, Vicksburg, MS, Apr 7-8, 2009.
45 peer-reviewed publications, cited over 3,400 times, h-index=31
1 US Patent, 2 Book chapters, Co-author on 3 NIST Special Publications
Over 18 invited keynote talks and 160 interviews, podcasts, guest lectures, conference proceedings and white papers
4 conference symposia organized, including American Chemical Society Fall 2019 National Meeting and Materials Research Society Fall 2010 National Meeting
