Richard A. Durst
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Department of Food Science & Technology
Adjunct Professor
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
E-mail: rad2@cornell.edu
Home: Dendorferstraße 6a
93096 Köfering
Germany
Tel.: 49-9406-283818
Education
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, September 1963
Major: Analytical Chemistry; Minor: Biophysics
B.S. (with Highest Honors) University of Rhode Island, June 1960
Major: Chemistry; Minor: German
Cumulative Grade Point Averages (max. 4.00): MIT 3.78 URI 3.74
Special courses
• Electroanalytical Chemistry (J.J. Lingane) Harvard University, January-June 1961
• Electronics for Scientists (H.V. Malmstadt) University of Illinois, June-July 1966
• Radiochemistry (G. Choppin) University of Illinois – Chicago Circle, Sept. 1967
• Biochemistry (J. Finlayson) National Institutes of Health, Sept. 1971-Jan. 1972
• Physiological Systems Analysis (P. Abbrecht) University of Michigan, July 1973
• Liquid Chromatography (H.M. McNair) Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Dec. 1976
• Electrochemical Engineering (F.M. Donahue) University of Michigan, July-August 1977
• Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (A.R. Katritzky) University of Florida, March 1981
• Industrial Biotechnology (R.P. Ouellette) George Washington University, June 1984
• Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements (J.K. Taylor) National Bureau of Standards, Nov. 1984
• Toxicology for Chemists (F.J. DiCarlo) UC Irvine, April 1992
• Recombinant DNA for Chemists (J.G. Chirikjian) Georgetown University, August 1994
• Biotechnology (A.J. Baeumner) Cornell University, Sept.-Dec. 2002
• Microbiology (W. Ghiorse and J. Helmann) Cornell University, Sept.-Dec. 2002
• Biochemistry: Proteins and Metabolism (G. Feigenson) Cornell University, Sept.-Dec. 2002
Honors
• NIST/NBS Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators, inducted 2009
• European Academy of Sciences, Elected Member, 2002
• International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry, Fellow, 2002
• Cornell Institute of Food Science Advisory Council Leadership Award, 2002
• Sustained Superior Performance Award (NIST) 1988-1989
• 1st Gordon Research Conference on Bioanalytical Sensors; Organizer & Chairman, 1988
• Silver Medal for Meritorious Federal Service (Department of Commerce) 1987 #
• Superior Accomplishment Award (NBS) 1987
• I-R 100 Award 1986
• Superior Accomplishment Award (NBS) 1986
• Superior Accomplishment Award (NBS) 1984
• Bronze Medal for Superior Federal Service (NBS) 1982 *
• Sustained Superior Performance Award (NBS) 1979-1981
• Technical University of Denmark, Department of Chemistry, Censor, 1974
• Swiss Romande University Lectures, 3e Cycle en Chimie, 1974
• American Chemical Society Tour Lecturer 1972
• Sustained Superior Performance Award (NBS) 1972
• Sigma Xi-RESA National Lecturer 1970
• Superior Performance Award (NBS) 1969
• Washington Academy of Sciences, elected Fellow (1969)
• Society of the Sigma Xi (MIT) 1963
• Bachelor of Science with Highest Honors (URI) 1960 (Graduated 4th in a class of 514 students)
• Alliance Francaise Award (URI) 1960
• Chemistry Society Award (URI) 1960
• Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Honor Society (URI) 1959
• Chemistry Faculty Award (URI) 1957, 1958, 1959
• Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award (RHS) 1956
Fellowships
National Research Council-National Bureau of Standards Postdoctoral
Research Associate (1963-1964)
National Science Foundation Fellow (MIT) (1961-1962 and 1962-1963)
National Science Foundation Summer Fellow (MIT) (1961 and 1962)
======================
*Bronze Medal for Superior Federal Service (National Bureau of Standards) 1982
“Dr. Durst is cited for his very significant research contributions and standardization efforts in analytical electrochemistry. Based on his expertise in pH and ion-selective electrodes, he has not only made significant research contributions, but serves as an excellent spokesperson for the United States in international technical discussions on standardization of the pH scale. These activities have been well received by his peers and are a credit to himself and the NBS.”
#Silver Medal for Meritorious Federal Service (U.S. Department of Commerce) 1987
“Dr. Durst is cited for his outstanding leadership and personal contribution in the establishment of a new, internationally renowned research program in organic electrochemistry at NBS. Dr. Durst has led a highly productive research group in developing several areas of modern electrochemistry, including hydrodynamic detectors for liquid chromatography, spectroelectrochemistry, chemically modified electrode sensors, modeling of charge transport, and the development of biosensors.”
Academic Experience
• Cornell University, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry (2006-); Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering (2006-); Professor of Chemistry (1990-2006) and Chairman (1999-2002), Dept. of Food Science and Technology; Director, Cornell Institute of Food Science (2000-2002), and Director, Cornell Analytical Chemistry Laboratories, NY State Agricultural Experiment Station (1990-2006); Faculty member of the Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology; and Member of the Graduate Field of Food Science & Technology, the Graduate Field of Environmental Toxicology and the Graduate Field of Biological and Environmental Engineering.
• University of Maryland, Adjunct Professor (1976-1980; 1984-1989) Subjects: Electroanalytical Chemistry; Advanced Quantitative Analysis; Chemical Measurements Laboratory (Electrochemistry); Directed the research of four successful Ph.D. students
• Boston College, Assistant Professor (1965-1966) Subjects: Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry; Instrumental Analysis
• Pomona College (CA), Visiting Assistant Professor (1964-1965) Subjects: General, Advanced Analytical, and Advanced Physical Chemistry
• MIT, Graduate Teaching Assistant (1960-1963) Subjects: General Chemistry; Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis
Government Experience
National Bureau of Standards/National Inst. of Standards & Technology:
• Supervisory Research Chemist and Group Leader, Organic Electrochemistry/Analytical Sensors (1979-1985, 1986-1990)
• Acting Deputy Director, Center for Analytical Chemistry (1985-1986; 1988)
• Scientific Assistant to the Director, Center for Analytical Chemistry (1978-79)
• Research Chemist, Air and Water Pollution Analysis Section (1974-1978)
• Chief, Electrochemical Analysis Section (1970-1973)
• Research Chemist, Microchemical Analysis Section (1966-1970)
• NRC-NBS Postdoctoral Research Associate, Analytical Chemistry Division (1963-1964)
Industrial Experience
• Radiometer A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark; Group Leader, Clinical Chemistry (1973-1974)
• URI Division of Engineering Research and Development, Kingston, RI; Metallurgist/Electrochemist (part-time, 1957-1960)
• Metals and Controls Corp., Attleboro, MA; Analytical Chemist (Summer 1959)
• M&C Nuclear, Attleboro, MA; Metallographer (Summer 1958)
Professional Societies
• American Chemical Society
• American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Sigma Xi
• Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry
• International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry
Patents
NIST:
Liposome Immunoanalysis by Flow Injection Assay
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 07/917,426; Filed: July 23, 1992;
US Patent No. 5,389,523; Issued Feb. 14, 1995.
Cornell:
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 467,004; Filed: June 6, 1995;
US Patent No. 5,753,519; Issued: May 19,1998.
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 382,482; Filed: Feb. 1, 1995;
US Patent No. 5,756,362; Issued: May 26, 1998.
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoassay and Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 135,741; Filed: Oct. 12, 1993;
US Patent No. 5,789,154; Issued: Aug. 4,1998.
Interdigitated Electrode Arrays for Liposome-Enhanced Immunoassay & Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 08/722,901; Filed: Sept. 27, 1996
US Patent No. 5,958,791; Issued: Sept. 28, 1999.
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 027,324; Filed: Feb. 20, 1998;
US Patent No. 6,086,748; Issued: July 11, 2000.
Interdigitated Electrode Arrays for Liposome-Enhanced Immunoassay & Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 354471; Filed: July 15, 1999
US Patent No. 6,159,745; Issued: Dec. 12, 2000.
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoassay and Test Device
US Patent Applic. Ser. No. 09/034,086; Filed: March 3, 1998;
US Patent No. 6,248,596; Issued: June 19, 2001.
Liposome-Enhanced Test Device and Method
US Provisional Patent Applic. No. 09/315,576; Date Filed: May 20, 1999
US Patent No. 6,358,752; Issued: March 19, 2002
Method of making a test device
US Provisional Patent Applic. No. 10/264,159; Date Filed: Oct. 2, 2002
US Patent No. 7,419,796. ; Issued: Sept. 2, 2008
Dehydration / Rehydration of Derivatized, Marker-Loaded Liposomes on a Test Device and Method of Use Thereof
US Provisional Patent Applic. No. 12/128,030; Date Filed: May 28, 2008
US Patent No. 7,858,397. ; Issued: Dec. 28, 2010
Non-US Patents
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
Australian Patent No. 707803; issued; November 4, 1999
Dehydration / rehydration of Marked Liposomes on a Test Device
Australian Patent No. 762944 B2; July 10, 2003
Dehydration / rehydration of Marked Liposomes on a Test Device
European Patent No. 1192466 B1; Aug. 11, 2004
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
European Patent No. 0807255 B1; Dec. 21, 2005
Liposome-Enhanced Test Device and Method
European Patent No. 1078260 B1; July 19, 2006
Liposome-Enhanced Immunoaggregation Assay and Test Device
Canadian Patent No. 2,211,132; Oct. 7, 2008
Plus other non-US patents no longer tracked.
Professional Activities
250+ Scientific Publications
11 U.S. Patents
Edited monograph: Ion-Selective Electrodes (1969) translated into Russian (1972) and Chinese (1976)
Sigma Xi-RESA National Lecturer: “Ion-Selective Electrodes in Science, Medicine, and Technology” (1970)
IUPAC Commission I.3 (Electrochemistry) Associate Member (1971-1979)
Advisory Panel on Instrumentation – Analytical Chemistry (1972-1975)
American Chemical Society Tour Lecturer: “Ion-Selective Electrodes” (1972)
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Chemistry, Censor (1974)
Swiss Romande University Lectures, 3e Cycle en Chimie: “Ion-Selective Electrodes: Characteristics, Techniques, and Problems” (1974)
Edited monograph: Blood pH, Gases, and Electrolytes (1976)
International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, Expert Panel on pH and Blood Gases (1975-1982)
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards: Subcommittee on pH and Blood Gases (1975-98); Subcomm. on Electroanalytical Methods (1979-85); Subcomm. on Electrolytes (1986-90); and Subcomm. on Pulse Oximeters and Other Non-Invasive Methods (1995-97)
U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Water Data Coordination, Working Group on Continuous Monitoring (1975-1979)
U.S. Army Medical Bioengineering R & D Laboratory, Consultant on Electrochemistry (1975-1980)
ASTM Committee D-19 on Water (1977-1991)
SAMA Task Group on Ion-Selective Electrodes and Electrochemical Analysis (1976-1980)
FDA Bureau of Medical Devices Engineering Laboratory, Special Consultant (1977-1978)
NBS/EPA National Environmental Specimen Bank, Chief Investigator (1978-1980)
Editorial Advisory Board, Ion-Selective Electrode Reviews (1978-1992)
EPA Anticipatory Research Biomonitoring Coordination Group (1979-1980)
IUPAC Commission V.5 (Electroanalytical Chemistry), Associate Member (1979-1987)
Advisory Board – Analytical Chemistry (1981-1983)
NBS Research Advisory Committee (1984-1987), Chairman (1986-1987)
Biotechnology Working Group, Department of Commerce Trade Coordinating Committee (1986-1987)
IR-100 Award; Nonaqueous Reference Electrode, Selected by Research & Development Magazine as “One of the 100 Most-Significant New Technical Developments of the Year” (1986)
ACS Summer Symposia on Analytical Chemistry Invited Lectures:
“Null-Point Potentiometry,” 20th Annual Symposium, Pomona College, CA. June 22, 1967.
“Analytical Applications of Ion-Selective Electrodes,” 23rd Annual Symposium, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. June 19,1970.
“Analytical Aspects of Chemically Modified Electrodes,” 37th Annual Symposium, NBS. June 12, 1984.
ASTM Committee E-48 on Biotechnology; Chairman, Task Group on Biosensors (1986-1990)
Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB); Steering Committee (1987-1988)
Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry; Board of Directors (1987-1992)
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards; Area Committee on Instrument Systems, Chairman (1987-1990)
IUPAC Commission V.5 (Electroanalytical Chemistry); Titular Member and Secretary 1987-1989)
Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry Communications; Editor (1988-1996)
IUPAC Subcommittee on Environmental Analytical Chemistry; Member (1988-1989)
Gordon Research Conference on Bioanalytical Sensors; Chairman (1988)
IUPAC Commission on Environmental Analytical Chemistry; U.S. National Representative (1989-1991)
IUPAC Commission V.5 (Electroanalytical Chemistry); Chairman (1989-91)
ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry; Award in Electrochemistry; Selection Committee Member (1990-1992)
Cornell Graduate Field of Food Science & Technology, elected Member (1991-)
Editorial Advisory Board, publications of AOAC International (formerly the Association of Official Analytical Chemists), including Journal of AOAC International, Official Methods of Analysis, Inside Laboratory Management, and The Referee (1991-1997)
IUPAC Analytical Chemistry Division, Titular Member (1991-1995); Co-opted Member (1996-1997)
AOAC International; Academic Representatives, Chairman and Editorial Board Liaison, (1992-1994)
Seneca Army Depot (NY), Technical Review Committee (1992-1996)
Cornell Graduate Field of Environmental Toxicology, elected Member (1992-)
Seneca County (NY) Water Quality Committee, Member (1992-2000)
Appointment (part-time) to the Cornell Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology (1993-)
Editorial Board, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1993-2003)
Gordon Research Conferences Invited Lectures:
“Ion-Selective Electrodes – Mechanisms and New Directions,” GRC on Electrochemistry, Santa Barbara, CA. January 18, 1971.
“Chemically Modified Electrode Sensors,” June 26; and “Charge Transport Phenomena in Polymer Modified Electrodes,” GRC on Synthetic Membranes, New London, NH. June 28, 1984.
“Liposome Flow Injection Immunoassay: Implications for Sensitivity, Dynamic Range, and Antibody Regeneration,” GRC on Bioanalytical Sensors, Ventura, CA. March 12, 1990.
“What Do We Mean by ‘Ultrasensitive Detection?,” GRC on Bioanalytical Sensors, Ventura, CA, March 25, 1993.
“Electrochemistry for Spectroscopists,” GRC on Bioanalytical Sensors, New London, NH, July 17, 1994.
“Biosensors for Pathogen Detection,” GRC on Bioanalytical Sensors, Ventura, CA, March 3, 2006.
Seneca Army Depot Activity (NY), Co-Chairman, Restoration Advisory Board (1996-2000)
Director, IR-4 Northeast Regional Pesticide Residue Laboratory and Member, IR-4 Project Management Committee (1990-1999)
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, Advisor, Subcommittee on Electrolytes (1997-2002)
IUPAC Analytical Chemistry Division, Titular Member (1998-2001)
Chairman, Cornell Department of Food Science & Technology (1999-2002)
Director, Cornell Vinification and Brewing Technology Laboratory (1999-2002)
Member, Council of Food Science Administrators (1999-2002)
Associate Director, Cornell Institute of Food Science (1999-2000)
Administrator, Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (2000-2002)
Senator, Cornell Faculty Senate (2000-2006)
Director, Cornell Institute of Food Science (2000-2002)
Member, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies Coordinating Group (2001)
Elected Member, Cornell University Appeals Panel (2002-2007)
Fellow, International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry (2002-)
Co-Chair/Co-Organizer, Fifth Workshop on Biosensors and Biological Techniques in Environmental Analysis, Cornell University (May 31-June 4, 2002)
Elected Member, Cornell University Graduate Field of Biological and Environmental Engineering (2002-)
Elected Member, European Academy of Sciences (2002-)
Member, Food Advisory Committee, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (2003-2006); Acting Chairman (2005)
Adjunct Professor, Cornell University Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering (2006-2009)
Elected Titular Member, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Committee on Chemical Research Applied to World Needs (ChemRAWN), (2008- )
Elected to the Editorial Board of the European Academy of Sciences and appointed editor of the 2008-2009 EAS Annals (2008-2010)
Member, Executive Council, Cornell Association of Professors Emeriti (2009-2011)
Senator, Cornell Faculty Senate (2009-2011)
Elected President of the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry (2009-2011)
Inducted into the NIST/NBS Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators (2009)
Chairman, Food Advisory Committee, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (2013-2017)
Member, Presidium of the European Academy of Sciences (2015-2023)
Technical Experience and Accomplishments
Electroanalytical Chemistry
Amperometric methods
Designed and constructed early electronic (op amp) polarograph (1962)
Investigated polarographic processes (1962)
First to study the photopolarographic behavior of inorganic depolarizers (1964)
Studied the electrochemical behavior of methylmercury cation (1976)
Investigated organometallic speciation using liquid chromatography with reductive amperometric detection (1976) and differential pulse detection (1977)
Developed multi-electrode detectors for liquid chromatography (1980)
Studied electrochemical behavior of molecules having multiple interacting redox centers (1980)
Investigated mechanisms of redox reactions at chemically modified electrodes (1983-87)
Developed homogeneous liposome immunoassay using a chemically modified electrode (1986)
Fabricated interdigitated ultramicroelectrode arrays and investigating their use as bioassay detectors (1997-2006)
Potentiometric methods
Developed technique of modified linear null-point potentiometry (1966)
Modified fluoride ISE for microchemical analysis (1966)
Coulometrically generated fluoride ions by solid-state transference through Eu-doped, single-crystal lanthanum fluoride (1967)
Constructed first single-crystal ion-selective microelectrode (1968)
Directed NBS program in the development of pH and ionic activity Standard Reference Materials (1970-73)
Developed first fully automated system for the measurement of sodium, potassium and pH in whole blood (1974)
First to demonstrate continuous-flow, gas-diffusion analyzer with ISE detection (1976)
Developed reference method for pH measurement in blood (1986)
Developed crosslinked polyvinylferrocene-modified reference electrode for nonaqueous electrochemistry (1986) – received IR-100 Award
Developed first double-amplification, enzyme/liposome flow-injection immunoassay (1989)
Optical Methods
Developed method for the determination of hydration numbers by near-infrared spectroscopy (1963)
Developed first automated flow-injection liposome immunoanalysis system based on fluorescence detection (1987)
Investigated planar-waveguide detection for liposome immunoanalysis (1989)
Studied NIR fluorescence detection in flow-injection liposome immunoanalysis (1993)
Developing liposome multi-analyte immunosensing devices for extra-laboratory screening (1991-2006)
Multidisciplinary Methods
Directed the establishment of the National Environmental Specimen Bank program at NBS (1978-80)
Investigated molecular interactions at silver electrodes using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (1981)
Investigated thin-layer spectroelectrochemical behavior of bioorganic-metal complexes (1982)
Pioneered the use of marker-loaded liposomes as analytical reagents in optical and electrochemical immunoassays (1984-2006)
Investigated various chemistries for immobilization of antibodies onto solid phases, hapten conjugation onto proteins and lipids, and liposome formulations and fabrication methods (1984-2006)
Developed liposome-enhanced nucleic acid assay devices (1994-2006)