Nicolle T. Pino
Chemist and emerging researcher in synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry, with a focus on coordination chemistry and sustainable energy.
Nicolle T. Pino is a chemist and emerging researcher specializing in synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry, with an emphasis on coordination chemistry. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from the Honors College at Miami Dade College, Homestead Campus, and her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Florida International University.
Her research experience spans both institutions, where she has developed strong expertise in inorganic and organic synthesis, air-free and Schlenk-line techniques, spectral analysis, crystallography-related workflows, and experimental troubleshooting. At Florida International University, under the guidance of Dr. Raphael G. Raptis, her work focused on the synthesis and characterization of copper pyrazolato-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). She also conducts ongoing research at Miami Dade College under the mentorship of Dr. Alan J. Rodríguez Santiago, where she began her research training and continues to investigate multinuclear iron pyrazolato-based MOFs and contribute to the synthesis of novel substituted pyrazoles; work she helped initiate through a collaboration with Dr. James Ley and is now advanced within Dr. Rodríguez Santiago's group. In addition to her project work, she supports other ongoing research efforts and contributes to student-centered scientific learning within the group.
Nicolle's scientific interests center on nuclear and radiochemistry, particularly actinide and lanthanide chemistry, nuclear fuel cycles, handling of radioactive materials, and nuclear waste recycling. She is especially interested in the role of chemistry in advancing safe and sustainable energy solutions.
In parallel with her research, Nicolle serves as a general chemistry teaching assistant and laboratory technician at Miami Dade College, where she supports student learning in laboratory settings. These roles reflect her commitment to mentorship, science education, and the creation of inclusive learning environments. As a first-generation college graduate, she is dedicated to expanding access to STEM, with an emphasis on community engagement and bilingual communication.
She will pursue graduate studies in nuclear and radiochemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she aims to further develop her expertise in inorganic chemistry and contribute to advancements in nuclear science.