Mark A. Banash, Ph.D.

Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.

Mark is responsible for addressing one of NCTI’s greatest challenges with its carbon nanomaterials: Proving the links between their unique nanoscale features and how those features affect our manufacturing processes, the performance of end products, and the health of both our employees and the environment. Mark directs our Quality program, establishing the techniques needed to test our materials from the bulk to the molecular levels.  He runs our safety program, which is recognized by regulatory agencies as the standard for the nanomaterials industry. He also directs NCTI’s active collaborations with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the U.S. EPA, and the National Science Foundation’s Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing.

Prior to Nanocomp, Mark was the director for production and quality for the company’s nanomaterial products for Zyvex Corporation, where he managed manufacturing operations and initiated the industry’s first supply chain certification process to qualify carbon nanotubes. Mark also led the firm to ISO:9001 registration and created its quality management system.  Mark was also an R&D scientist at Millennium Chemicals and EniChem Americas, developing products that ranged from new types of optical glass to protective ceramic films.

Mark holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton University, an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland University College, and a B.A. with honors in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an adjunct faculty member in operations and technology management at the University of Maryland, University College.   Mark is a frequent speaker on the safe and ethical uses of nanotechnology and actively participates with the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s environmental, health, and safety programs. He is a member of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Advisory Group on the measurement of nanomaterials.  He is also a member of the American Society for Quality and is a Six Sigma Black Belt.