Renan Valença, Ph.D.
About Renan Valença, Ph.D.
Renan Valença, Ph.D., is a Senior Associate at Exponent with extensive experience in environmental engineering and contaminant management. He has worked in various roles, including as a researcher at UCLA and in the ceramic industry in Brazil, focusing on sustainable practices and stormwater treatment systems.
Work at Exponent
Renan Valença, Ph.D., serves as a Senior Associate at Exponent, a role he has held since 2022. In this position, he provides expert advice on various environmental engineering projects, focusing on sustainable practices and contaminant management. His work involves consulting with clients to implement effective solutions for environmental challenges.
Education and Expertise
Renan Valença holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Engineering from UCLA, where he studied from 2018 to 2022. He also earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering from Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna in 2014. His academic background includes Bachelor's degrees in Science and Technology and Chemical Engineering from Universidade Federal de Alfenas. His expertise encompasses contaminant fate and transport in both natural and engineered systems.
Background
Renan Valença has a diverse background in environmental engineering and chemical engineering. He worked as a Teaching Assistant and PhD Candidate at UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science from 2018 to 2022. Prior to this, he gained practical experience in Brazil, where he held internships at Cerâmica Porto Ferreira, focusing on research and development and chemical engineering.
Achievements
During his academic career, Renan Valença developed climate-resilient stormwater treatment systems through laboratory and in-situ experiments. He optimized stormwater systems to enhance the degradation of specific contaminants based on local climate conditions. His work in the ceramic industry included developing waste management and reutilization programs, as well as supporting quality assurance and quality control processes.
Specialization in Contaminants
Renan Valença specializes in addressing various contaminants, including pathogens, nutrients, metals, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics, munitions, PFAS, and wildfire-related contamination. He advises clients on sustainable soil amendments, including biochar, iron filings, compost, and fly ash, to improve contaminant removal during water infiltration.