Valentin Robin

Valentin Robin serves as a Lecturer in Geosciences within the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Limoges. He conducts research at the E2Lim Laboratory and maintains active collaborations with industrial partners including Orano Mining and Saint Gobain Eurocoustic. His administrative roles include membership in the scientific committee of the Chair of Excellence in Large Reservoirs and Water Quality (GRQE) and the DIM-MAP college of experts.

His educational background includes a 2016 Post-Doctorate at the Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg (LHYGES), doctoral research (2012-2015) at the Institute of Chemistry of Environments and Materials of Poitiers (IC2MP), and a National Master of Clays from the University of Poitiers (2010-2012).

Robin's research focuses on mineral reactivity at solid/solution interfaces, particularly examining how crystal chemistry of clay minerals governs ion exchange, dissolution, and metal mobility in natural and anthropized environments. His work bridges fundamental mineralogy with practical applications in mining rehabilitation, soil contamination, and water resource management. Current projects include ALMA (Alteration of Clay Minerals in Biotic and Abiotic Environments) and MobiMet (Mobility of Metals in Surface Environments), addressing critical environmental challenges through experimental and modeling approaches.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent thematic focus on clay mineral reactivity (particularly smectites and kaolinite), metal mobility mechanisms in acidic/alkaline conditions, and environmental applications for mining rehabilitation and phytoremediation. His methodological approach integrates laboratory experiments with reactive transport modeling, increasingly incorporating biogeochemical perspectives through projects like M2Ex.

Robin actively supervises doctoral research, currently advising Delphine MASSON (investigating crystal chemistry effects on clay reactivity) and Neus BONNET (studying phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils). His major funded projects include the CNRS-EC2CO HYBIGE Thematic Action ALMA (2021-2022), Nouvelle Aquitaine Region's MobiMet (2020-2023), and the H2020 ITN EJD M2Ex (2020-2024), demonstrating sustained research leadership and external funding acquisition.

His laboratory work centers on the E2Lim Laboratory facilities at University of Limoges, where he investigates mineral-water-microbe interactions through controlled batch experiments, column studies, and advanced characterization techniques. Current experimental systems include uranium mining rehabilitation scenarios, sediment resuspension events, and metal-contaminated soil phytoremediation approaches.