Rafael Valadares

Dr. Rafael Valadares is an agronomist (Universidade Ferderal de Viçosa) and soil microbiologist with expertise in studying the complex interactions between soil organisms and their environments. He holds a PhD from Universidade de São Paulo, where his research focused on the molecular interactions between orchids and their mycorrhizal fungi. Since 2014, Dr. Valadares has been a researcher at Instituto Tecnológico Vale, utilizing proteomic tools to study individual organisms such as microbes, plants, and animals, as well as environmental samples.

Recently, Dr. Valadares has advanced his research on soil health and microbial processes, combining metagenomics and metaproteomics to bridge the gap between fundamental microbiology and practical applications. His work offers innovative solutions for improving soil management and productivity in the face of changing environmental conditions.