Funari Valerio

My research interests span from geochemistry to waste management, going through analytical chemistry, mineralogy, marine geology, bio-hydrometallurgy, and environmental magnetism. In all cases, I am interested in the cleaner and safer management of natural resources and in overcoming constraints of the raw materials supply.

Using theoretical and laboratory approaches, I face any challenge identified in the field or given by an industrial need. Method development is therefore key to what I do, and I am particularly interested in developing fine-tuned technologies for metal recovery and solutions to a range of human-induced problems such as heavy metal contamination and nanoparticles pollution.

Currently, I am focused on applied geochemistry and geomicrobiology aimed to recover critical metals from alkaline wastes.

As a PhD candidate, I was visiting researcher at Montanuniversitat, Leoben, Austria, and the VTT, Finland. I was visiting fellow at the Institute for Rock Magnetism (IRM), University of Minnesota (USA) and GEES department, University of Hull (UK). From 2016 to 2017 (@BiGeA), from 2017 to 2018 (@ISMAR-CNR), and from 2018 to 2019 (@BiGeA), I was a postdoctoral researcher in projects focused on biohydrometallurgy of natural and anthropogenic materials for metal recovery and environmental remediation. Currently, I am a researcher of ISMAR-CNR and I am using my skills to challenge the exploration and exploitation of marine georesources and the assessment of anthropogenic and geogenic impacts on environment and life.

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