Giovanni Zanoni joined RohmTek 2023 as Sr. Technical Advisor and XRD analyst. Giovanni oversees X-ray diffraction operations at RohmTek and provides his expertise in clay mineralogy. Prior to joining RohmTek, he contributed to creating a brand-new Clay Mineralogy Laboratory at Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX), where he was the primary XRD analyst from 2018. He collaborated in various research projects leading to several scientific publications involving clay mineralogy. He then joined the industry in 2021 as a Mineralogist and XRD analyst for Premier Corex, Houston, where he worked on over 600 projects and 6000 samples from various lithologies.
Giovanni grew up in Switzerland where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Geneva (Switzerland). He then moved to Texas in 2018 and joined a PhD program at Texas Tech University to work on shale diagenesis and collaborated in over 15 scientific publications.
Area of Specialization and Competences
Sedimentary and Reservoir Geology, Clay Mineralogy and Shale Diagenesis, Well Logs Description
Fundamental understanding of X-ray diffraction (XRD), clay mineralogy, mineralogy and sedimentary geology as well as quantitative mineral analysis of sedimentary rocks and clay separates by XRD.
Experience in XRD laboratory methods and procedures, and ability to improve laboratory capabilities, including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and automated mineralogy (QEMSCAN).
Knowledge of core analysis procedures and additional analytical methods, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), mass spectrometry, and cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Teaching Experience
2018–2020: Mineralogy taught at Bachelor level at Texas Tech University
2017–2021: Graduate Assistant and XRD/Clay Lab Manager (Department of Geosciences, Texas)
