Mark A. Kukucka

Capt. (Dr.) Mark A. Kukucka is a Baltimore native and the first of three children born in 1960 to Alma and Joseph A. Kukucka of Kingsville, Maryland.
Background
Mark A. Kukucka joined the , U.S. Air Force auxiliary, in 1975 where he rose through the ranks and achieved the following awards and honors:
* Billy Mitchell Award in 1975
* Amelia Earhart Award in 1976
* Solo aviator wings in 1977
* IACE ambassador in 1978
* CAP Model Rocketry badge in 1979
* CAP college scholarships in 1980 & 1981
* (#569) in 1981 for which he received a congratulatory letter from former president Richard M. Nixon and a personal meeting with Paul E. Garber (First Curator of the National Air & Space Museum) - Only actually achieve the Spaatz award.
* Ira C. Eaker Award ex post facto in 1981
Education
Mark A. Kukucka attended Sinclair Lane Elementary (Baltimore City) thru the middle of the 4th grade and then transferred to Kingsville Elementary School (Baltimore County). He then went to Perry Hall Middle School (grades 7 thru 9) before being selected to attend Eastern Vocational Technical High School where he graduated with scholastic honors in 1978.
In the Fall of 1979, Mark enrolled in the Animal Science program at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Three years later, he received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with academic honors. Following admission to the graduate school at the University of Maryland in the Fall of 1982, he began graduate work under the direction of Dr. Donna L. Kern and Dr. W. Ray Stricklin. In 1985 he earned his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Animal Behavior from the Department of Animal Sciences.
During the Fall of 1985, Mark was selected for the Veterinary Medical program at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. Following his acceptance to the Graduate School at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) in 1987, Mark joined the Parallel DVM/PhD program in Veterinary Medical Sciences and began graduate work under the guidance of Dr. Hara P. Misra. In 1989, Mark received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) professional degree. He then worked towards the successful completion of his remaining dissertation requirements and was granted his second doctorate in 1993, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biochemistry/Cell Biology/Free Radical Toxicology.
FAA Certifications
* Private Pilot - 1998
* Instrument Pilot - 1999 and the General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Leadership Award in the Glenn L. Martin Composite Squadron where he serves as the unit’s Aerospace Education Officer and Medical Officer in addition to being a commercial instrument rated CAP pilot.

Bibliography
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1994. Determination of oxytocin in biological samples by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric detection using C18 solid-phase extraction and polyclonal antibody-based immunoaffinity column purification. J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl 653(2):139-45.
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1994. Elevated concentrations of ascorbate and normoxia suppress testosterone production in cultured guinea pig Leydig cells. Reprod Toxicol 8(4):333-9.
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1994. Isolation and culture of highly enriched populations of Leydig cells from guinea-pig (Cavia porcellus) testes. Andrologia 26(4):217-24.
* Kukucka, Mark A. 1993. Mechanisms by which hypoxia augments Leydig cell viability and differentiated cell function in vitro. Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1993. The antioxidant defense system of isolated guinea pig Leydig cells. Mol Cell Biochem 126(1):1-7.
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1992. HPLC determination of an oxytocin-like peptide produced by isolated guinea pig Leydig cells: stimulation by ascorbate. Arch Androl 29(2):185-90.
* Kukucka, Mark A. and Hara P. Misra. 1992. HPLC identification of an oxytocin-like peptide produced by isolated guinea pig Leydig cells: stimulation by sodium ascorbate. Mol Androl 4(1-2):160-161.
* Kukucka, Mark A. 1985. Spatial relationships, behavioral patterns and performance levels of group-housed domestic rabbits. Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland.
** According to statistics compiled by Scopus Dr. Kukucka's published works have been cited by more than 150 researchers worldwide.
Current events
* Glenn L. Martin squadron tours Maryland Army National Guard Blackhawk facility
* Glenn L. Martin squadron visits Potomac TRACON
* Glenn L. Martin squadron cadets complete Model Rocketry Program
*Glenn L. Martin cadet receives USAF Academy appointment

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