Dr. Pinilla-Alonso received her Ph.D. from the Universidad de La Laguna of Tenerife, Spain. After that, she had different postdoctoral positions at NASA Ames Research center, Moffett Field, USA, at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Granada, Spain, and at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. In 2015, she joined the Florida Space Institute of the University of Central Florida as a visiting scientist before joining it as an Associate Researcher in Planetary Science in 2016. Her work focuses on the study of the surface properties of small bodies in the Solar System.
Dr. Pinilla-Alonso was part of the group that first discovered water ice and complex organics on the surface of the asteroid 24 Themis leading the modeling effort. She also has lead numerous international observational campaigns in support of NASA missions such as New Horizons, OSIRIS-ReX, and Lucy.
Since 2017, Dr. Pinilla-Alonso is also the Deputy Principal Scientist of the Arecibo Observatory and acts as the Science Manager since December 2018. As such, Noemí supports the director of the observatory in leading a group of 20 scientists at different career levels (from senior scientists to Ph. D students)
Research Interests
* Origin and evolution of the Solar System
* Surface composition of primitive small bodies in the Solar System through visible and near-infrared observations and modeling
* Characterization of icy dwarf-planets
* Origin of life on Earth: water ice and organics, the seeds for life.
Highlights
2022 Orange County Distinguished Resident
2021 Women’s History Month Honoree
2021 Exploring the icy outskirts of the solar system: Innovative Approach
2019 Luminary Award (UCF) recipient for being instrumental in creating collaborations that have elevated the work dones at UCF.
2019 Asturiana del mes, awarded by La Nueva España for “the talent and dedication in such a specialized area (planetary science) for someone starting her career in Oviedo, Spain and continuing it in USA. It is specially emotive to give this prize to someone that is a personal and professional example”
2017 Asteroid (10689) pinillaalonso (1981 DZ1) named in honor
Publications
My publications, since 2000, accumulate more than 2,000 citations and result in a h-index of 23, i10-index of 53, and g-index of 41.
• 3 chapters in scientific books.
• 80 papers published in refereed publications since 2005.
• 205 unrefereed publications, including abstracts of meeting contributions since 2000 (44 as first author) and 10 circulars.
• 20 white papers, research dissertations and technical reports.
The list below is a selection of the most representative:
The list below is a selection of the most representative ( Asterism means lead by a supervised researcher or student)
Book Chapters:
N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Stansberry, and B. Holler. “Surface properties of large TNOs: Ex- panding the study to longer wavelengths with the James Webb Space Telescope”. The Trans-Neptunian Solar System, Edited by Dina Prialnik, Maria Antoinetta Barucci, Leslie Young. ISBN: 9780128164907. Elsevier, 2020., p.395-412. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa1190)
de León, J. , Licandro, J., Pinilla-Alonso, N. “The Diverse Population of Small Bodies of the Solar System”. pp 1-25. Chapter included in Handbook of Exoplanets, Springer International Publishing. Editors: Hans J. Deeg & Juan Antonio Belmonte. 2018 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55333-7_55)
Peer Review Publications
C. Lisse, J. M. Bauer, D. Cruikshank, J. Emery, Y. Fernández, E. Fernández-Valenzuela, M. Kelley, A. McKay, W. Reach, Y. Pendleton, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Stansberry, M. Sykes, D. Trilling, D. Wooden, D. Harker, and C. Woodward. “Spitzer’s Solar System Science Legacy: Studies of the Relics of Solar System Formation & Evolution. Part 1 – Comets, Centaurs, and Kuiper Belt Objects”. Nature Astronomy, 4, 930-939 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01219-6)
(*) M. N. De Prá, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Carvano, J. Licandro, D. Morate, V. Lorenzi, J. De León, H. Campins, T. Mothé-Diniz. “A Comparative Analysis of the Outer Belt Primitive Families”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, accepted (https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202038536)
(*) E. Fernández-Valenzuela, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Stansberry, J. P. Emery, W. Perkins, C. Van Laerhoven, B. J. Gladman, W. Fraser, D. Cruikshank, E. Lellouch, T. G. Muller, W. M. Grundy, D. Trilling, Y. Fernandez, and C. Dalle-Ore. “Compositional study of trans-Neptunian objects at λ > 2.2 μm”. Accepted, PSJ, 2020.
R. Giovanni Urso, D. Baklouti, Z. Djouadi, N. Pinilla-Alonso, and R. Brunetto. “Near- infrared Methanol Bands Probe Energetic Processing of Icy Outer Solar System Objects” The ApJ Letters, 894:L3, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ab8ad9)
(*) M. De Prá; J. Licandro; N. Pinilla-Alonso; V. Lorenzi; E. Rond’on; J. M. Ferreira Carvano; D. Morate, and J. de León. “The spectroscopic properties of the Lixiaohua family, cradle of Main Belt Comets”. Icarus, 338, article id. 113473, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113473)
(*) A. C. Souza-Feliciano, M. De Prá, N. Pinilla-Alonso, A. Alvarez-Candal, E. Fernandez- Valenzuela, J. de León, R. Binzel, P. Arcoverde, E. Rondon, and M. Santana. “Visible Analysis of NASA Lucy Mission Targets Eurybates, Polymele, Orus and Donaldjohanson”. Icarus, 338, article id. 113463, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113463)
A. Arredondo; D. Morate; A. Malfavon, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. de León, V. Lorenzi, and H. Campins. “Near Infrared spectroscopy of the Klio primitive inner-belt asteroid family”. Icarus, 335, article id. 113427, 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.113427)
(*) M. N. De Prá, N. Pinilla-Alonso., J. M. Carvano, J. Licandro, H. Campins, T. Mothé- Diniz, J. de León, and V. Alí-Lagoa. ”PRIMASS visits Hilda and Cybele Groups”. Icarus, 311, p. 35-51, 2018. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2017.11.012)
N. Pinilla-Alonso; J. de León; K. J. Walsh; H. Campins; V. Lorenzi; M. Delbo; F. DeMeo; J. Licandro; Z. Landsman; M. P. Lucas; V. Alí-Lagoa; and B. Burt. “Portrait of the Polana- Eulalia family complex: Surface homogeneity revealed from near-infrared spectroscopy”. Icarus, 274, p. 231-248 (2016) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2016.03.022)
A. Alvarez-Candal; N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. L. Ortiz; R. Duffard; N. Morales; P. Santos-Sanz; A. Thirouin; and J. S. Silva. “Absolute magnitudes and phase coefficients of trans-Neptunian objects”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 586, id.A155 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201527161
(*) V. Lorenzi; N. Pinilla-Alonso; J. Licandro; D. P. Cruikshank; W. M. Grundy; R. P. Binzel; J. P. Emery. “The spectrum of Pluto, 0.40-0.93 μm. I. Secular and longitudinal distribution of ices and complex organics”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 585, id.A131 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201527281
(*) V. Lorenzi; N. Pinilla-Alonso; J. Licandro. “Rotationally resolved spectroscopy of dwarf planet (136472) Makemake”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 577, id.A86 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425575
J. L. Ortiz; R. Duffard; N. Pinilla-Alonso; A. Alvarez-Candal; et al. “Possible ring material around centaur (2060) Chiron” Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 576, id.A18, 2015. (https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201424461)
R. Duffard.; N. Pinilla-Alonso; J. L. Ortiz; A. Alvarez-Candal; B. Sicardy; P. Santos-Sanz; N. Morales; C. Colazo; E. Fern’andez-Valenzuela, and F. Braga-Ribas. “Photometric and spectroscopic evidence for a dense ring system around Centaur Chariklo”. A&A, 568, id.A79 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201424208
R. Duffard, N. Pinilla-Alonso, P. Santos-Sanz and 33 more coauthors. “TNOs are Cool!: A Survey of the Transneptunian Region: A Herschel-PACS view of 16 Centaurs”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, A&A, 564, id.A92, 2014 https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201322377
(*) V. Lorenzi, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. Licandro, C. M. Dalle-Ore and J. P. Emery. “Rotationally Resolved Spectroscopy of (20000) Varuna in the near-Infrared”. A&A, 562, A85 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201322251
N. Pinilla-Alonso, V. Lorenzi, H. Campins, J. de León, J. Licandro. “Near-Infrared spec- troscopy of 1999 JU3, target of the Hayabusa-2 Mission”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 552, A79 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201221015
N. Pinilla-Alonso, A. Alvarez-Candal, V. Lorenzi, J. Licandro and T.L. Roush. “Surface composition and dynamical evolution of two retrograde objects in the outer solar system: 2008 YB3 and 2005 VD”. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 550, 13A (2013) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201220030
J. L. Ortiz; B. Sicardy; F. Braga-Ribas; A. Alvarez-Candal; E. Lellouch; R. Duffard; N. Pinilla-Alonso et al. “Albedo and atmospheric constraints of dwarf planet Makemake from a stellar occultation”. Nature, 491, 566-569 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11597
N. Pinilla-Alonso; T. L. Roush, G. A. Marzo; D. P. Cruikshank and C. Dalle-Ore. “Iapetus surface variability revealed from statistical clustering of a VIMS mosaic:the distribution of CO2”. Icarus, 215, 75 – 82 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2011.07.004
A. Alvarez-Candal; N. Pinilla-Alonso; J. Licandro; E. Mason; F. Gourgeot; T. L. Roush and D. P. Cruikshank. “The spectrum of 136199 Eris between 350 and 2350 nm: Results with X-Shooter”. A&A 532, A130, 2011. (https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117069)
H. Campins, K. Hargrove, N. Pinilla-Alonso, E. Howell, M.S. Kelley, T. Monte-Diniz, Y. Fernandez, & J. Ziffer. “Water ice and organics on the surface of the asteroid 24 Themis”. Nature 464, 1320-1321. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09029
N. Pinilla-Alonso; R. Brunetto; J. Licandro; R. Gil-Hutton; T. L. Roush and G. Strazzulla. “The surface of (136108) Haumea (2003 EL61), the largest carbon-depleted object in the trans-Neptunian belt”. A&A, 496 pp. 547-556 (https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117069)
Pinilla-Alonso,N; Licandro, J & Lorenzi, V. “Visible Spectroscopy of objects in the neighborhood of 2003 EL61’s family”. A&A, 489, pp.455-458 (https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:200810226)
A. Sanchez-Lavega; G. S. Orton; R. Hueso et al. (y 24 coautores más incluyendo a N. Pinilla-Alonso). “Depth of a strong Jovian Jet from a Planetary-Scale Disturbance driven by storms”, Nature. 451, pp.1022, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1038/nature0680
Pinilla-Alonso,N; Licandro, J.; Gil-Hutton, R. et al. “The water ice rich surface of (145453) 2005 RR43: a case for a population of trans-neptunian objects?”. A&A Letter, 468, 1, pp.L25-L28. (2007) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20077294
J. Licandro; W. M. Grundy; N. Pinilla-Alonso and P. Leisy. “Visible spectroscopy of 2003 UB313: evidence for N2 ice on the surface of the largest TNO?”. A&A 458,1, pp.L5-L8., 2006. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20066028
J. Licandro; L. diFabrizio; N. Pinilla-Alonso et al. “Trans-Neptunian object (55636) 2002 TX300, a fresh icy surface in the outer solar system”. A&A, 457, 1, pp.329-333 https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20064906
J. Licandro; N. Pinilla-Alonso; M. Pedani et al. “The methane ice rich surface of large TNO 2005 FY9: a Pluto-twin in the trans-Neptunian belt?”. A&A, 445, 3, pp.L35-L38. (2006) https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:200500219
Meech K. J.; Ageorges, N; A’Hearn, M. F (206 coauthors more, including N.Pinilla-Alonso). “Deep Impact: Observations from a Worldwide Earth-Based Campaign”. Science, 310, 5746, pp. 265-269., 2005 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1118978
Invited Conferences
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “Exploration of the Solar System in the Next Decade”. Spanish Astronomical Society, La Laguna, Spain, 2020. Invited Plenary Contribution
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “Get a glimpse on what is coming on the study of large Transneptunians for the next decade”. The transneptunian Solar System Scientific Workshop, Portugal, 2018 Invited Oral Contribution
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “How JWST will bring light to the nature of trans-Neptunian ob- jects through GTO observations”. 230th American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting, id403.02, June 2017
Pinilla-Alonso, N “Exploring the Solar System with JWST: Unveiling the Nature of Small Bodies”. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 2017. Montevideo, Uruguay, April 2017. Plenary Invited
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “The new Solar System: Are you ready for James Webb Space Tele- scope?” Spanish Astronomical Society, Bilbao, Spain, 2016
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “Icy Dwarf Planets: Colored popsicles in the Solar System” IAU Gen- eral Assembly, Meeting 29, id.2258290, (2015) Published as Astronomy in Focus, Volume 1, Focus Meeting 9, XXIXth IAU General Assembly. Cambridge University Press, doi:10.1017/S1743921316002970
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “Reservas Heladas del Sistema Solar: Informaci’on Congelada en el Tiempo”. X Spanish Astronomical Society Scientific Meeting, Valencia, 2012
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “ Breaking News on the Solar System”. Particles, Astrophysics and Cosmology- AsturPAC11, Aviles, Spain (2011)
Pinilla-Alonso, N. “The biggest among the smallest icy bodies” , AOGS Singapore (2009). Invited oral Contribution.
Invited Conferences:
Pinilla-Alonso, N “DisCO-TNOs: seeking information about the origin of the Solar System by studying TNOs with the James Webb Space Telescope” XI Workshop in Planetary Science, 2022. FCEFN – UNSJ San Juan, Argentina
http://gcpsj.sdf-eu.org/tcp-2022/tcp-2022.html Invited Oral Contribution
Pinilla-Alonso, N “DiSCo-TNOs: Digging up fossils in the Solar System thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope” Annual Meeting of the Mexican Geophysical Union (RAUGM), 2021. Plenary Invited
Oversees
Ana Carolina de Souza Feliciano, UCF Preeminent postdoctoral scholar
Brittany Harvison, UCF/Physics graduate student
Estela Fernandez-Valenzuela, UCF Preeminent postdoctoral scholar (Former)
Mario de Pra, UCF Preeminent postdoctoral scholar (Former)
Aliza Hasan, Senior High School Student (Former)