Risa Pino

Risa Pino serves as the Department of Defense Liaison for the Ecosystems Mission Area of the U.S. Geological Survey. In this role, she leads innovation, collaboration, and engagement efforts between the USGS and the Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise-- including military services, a network of national defense partners, government labs, and academia-- to address the scientific and technological needs of the DoD.

Professional Experience

Risa Pino brings over 15 years of experience in science education, laboratory management, and forensic research to her role as the USGS liaison to the DoD. Prior to joining USGS, she served nearly a decade as a biology instructor, teaching active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. In this role, she excelled at simplifying complex scientific concepts to meet diverse learning needs

Education and Certifications

B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
M.S. in Biology, Fayetteville State University
GradCert in Learning, Design, & Technology with a concentration in Online Learning and Teaching, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

USGS Location

Ecosystems Mission Area Headquarters