He attended college in Ecuador and recently completed his master’s and PhD, which focused on technologies to eliminate PFAS, at Rice University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, birding, and grilling. Get to know Juan Donoso.
Tell us about your role at Champion Fiberglass®. When did you start?
I am excited to begin my new role as R&D Manager this month. In this position, I will support both the production and engineering teams by developing practical solutions to technical challenges and enhancing quality control processes. Additionally, I will lead the development of a new business line for Champion Fiberglass, focusing on PFAS destruction technologies. My goal is to contribute to a future where we can provide cleaner water to communities across the U.S.
Tell us about your background.
I am a chemical engineer by training. I completed my undergraduate degree at
Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador and then moved to Houston in 2019 to
pursue my master’s and PhD on a Fulbright scholarship at Rice University. My doctoral research focused on developing a technology that utilizes UV light and boron nitride, a solid powder catalyst, to break down water-based contaminants. Specifically, I concentrated on eliminating PFAS compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistent accumulation in the environment. I am eager to bring this expertise into an industry setting.
What attracted you to the role at Champion Fiberglass?
I interned at Champion Fiberglass last summer, and that experience made my decision easy. I was challenged by meaningful projects, had the opportunity to contribute to real solutions, and genuinely enjoyed the company culture. The company strikes a great balance between a close-knit team environment and technically interesting work. Additionally, I am thrilled about the direction Champion Fiberglass is taking in water treatment. The prospect of helping provide cleaner water to people across the country is deeply motivating to me, both personally and professionally.
How do you spend your time when not working?
I often joke that my daily hobbies are pretty basic: I lift weights, play video games, and read. But I also love spending time outdoors, whether that is hiking, biking, or birdwatching. And cooking and grilling are a big part of my weekends too, which gives me a great excuse to have people over.
Tell us something people might not know about you.
It’s no secret that I’m a science nerd, but I’ve also developed a genuine passion for art,
even though I admit I’m not very good at it. I come from a family deeply rooted in the
humanities, so I grew up surrounded by art, literature, and culture. As the only engineer
or scientist in the family, our dinner conversations are always quite interesting.
What are you excited about personally and/or professionally this year?
I look forward to working on new resin formulations for conduit and phenolic applications, as well as establishing clearer and more rigorous metrics for raw material quality control.
On a personal note, completing my PhD was a significant milestone for me, and I am
genuinely happy to be transitioning from academia to industry. I have also recently
moved to Spring and am eager to explore the area and meet new people.