Renato (he/his) trained in geoengineering and mining engineering, with a particular focus on geotechnics, at the University of Zagreb (Croatia). Renato has a PhD in geoenvironmental engineering from Cardiff University, and his thesis was on experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations into the underlaying processes in coal in response to CO₂ injection. Renato is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (CEng MICE). His main areas of experience are in geo-energy technologies including carbon capture and storage (CCS), underground coal gasification (UCG), Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and energy geotechnics. He is an author of >20 peer-review papers on these topics.

Renato is currently involved in Quintessa's work concerning the sustainable utilisation of the subsurface. He has been project managing and supporting a number of projects for RWM on the disposal of higher-activity radioactive wastes in domestic Geological Disposal Facilities (GDF) in relation to the reference groundwaters in lower strength sedimentary rocks, the diffusion of radionuclides in higher strength rocks, and the impacts of permafrost on the GDF. Renato has been also supporting a number of projects on CCS through subsurface risk assessment.

Prior to joining Quintessa, he worked in a range of research projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), National Resources Wales (NRW), and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). Renato has worked on development and application of coupled thermo-hydraulic-chemical-mechanical models and conducted experimental investigations to study the behaviour of geomaterials under high pressure and high temperature conditions.

Renato enjoys walks in the countryside, cycling and running. He is also a cooking enthusiast, specialising in preparation of meals that can be made in under one hour. Renato has a passion for photography and hopes that one day he can produce a cookbook using his own photographs.