At CRCC, research is at the heart of our mission. We focus on four transdisciplinary areas:
1. Carbon Capture and Sensing
Dr. Dalice Piñero
Dalice Piñero is a professor and researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Her research focuses on carbon capture, chemical sensing, and environmental monitoring, developing chemical and electrochemical systems to detect and mitigate climate change–related processes, with applications in climate resilience research and advanced scientific training.
Dr. Zhongfang Chen
Zhongfang Chen is a researcher specializing in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, using computational chemistry and catalyst design to develop efficient catalytic systems. His work advances renewable fuels research and contributes to strategies for reducing carbon emissions through molecular-level catalyst optimization.
2. Energy
Dr. Jorge Colón
Jorge L. Colón is a professor and researcher whose work focuses on solar energy and electrocatalysis. He advances sustainable energy solutions through solar cell fabrication and electrochemical approaches, contributing to renewable energy research and climate change mitigation strategies.
Dr. Xianyoung Wu
Xianyoung Wu is a researcher focused on energy-related challenges associated with climate change, exploring alternative energy solutions through laboratory-based research. His work emphasizes data analysis, experimental techniques, and problem-solving to advance sustainable energy systems.
3. Enviromental Monitoring
Dr. Liz Díaz
Liz M. Díaz-Vázquez is a professor and researcher specializing in environmental analytical chemistry and metabolomics. Her research develops and validates environmental metabolomic approaches to assess contaminant risks, including climate-related impacts, supporting environmental monitoring and risk assessment in vulnerable communities.
Dr. Ramonita Díaz
Ramonita Díaz is a researcher focused on SF₆ gas emissions detection and environmental monitoring. Her work involves the development of biosensors for H₂S and SF₆ detection, integrating genetic engineering and sensor technologies to address climate change and industrial gas monitoring challenges.
Dr. Dalice Piñero
Dalice M. Piñero is a professor and researcher at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Her research focuses on carbon capture and gas sensing, including electrocatalysis and nanofabrication of sensors for monitoring CO₂, methane, ammonia, and NOₓ emissions, supporting climate resilience and environmental monitoring.
4. Green Chemistry
Dr. Kai Griebenow
Kai Griebenow is a researcher specializing in apoptosis-inducing nanosystems. His work focuses on nanomaterials and algal polymer chemistry to develop targeted drug delivery systems, contributing to green and innovative chemical approaches within interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Dr. Arthur Tinoco
Arthur Tinoco is a collaborator associated with the University of Puerto Rico Center for Resilience to Climate Change (UPR-CRCC). His research is focused on Green Chemistry, specifically Ti(IV) coordination chemistry, promoting greener chemical practices through mechanochemical synthesis and solar-energy–assisted approaches, with applications in sustainable reactions and environmentally responsible chemical processes.
Through these initiatives, students and faculty collaborate on innovative projects addressing real-world climate challenges. Our labs are designed to remain resilient in the face of hurricanes, earthquakes, and power disruptions, ensuring continuity of scientific discovery.
We also foster partnerships with national and international institutions, amplifying the impact of our science while training students through authentic lab experiences and internships