Conservation Science

My overlapping interests in art, history, and science have directed me toward a career in conservation science. Science first interested me because it offered a deeper fundamental explanation of the world around me. When I discovered people use science to help preserve artifacts, I was hooked. I loved how conservation merged chemistry with my interests in history and museums so I dove in headfirst. However, the more chemistry classes I took, the more I realized science remained my primary path. I enjoyed working with analytical equipment to solve problems and answer questions with the power of chemistry.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked in the conservation lab at my university’s library—initially cleaning and mending flood-damaged record books. Acknowledging my background in chemistry, the supervising conservators introduced me to the field of conservation science and involved me in more analytical projects. Toward the end of my work there, I microscopically analyzed friable media on medieval manuscripts to identify pigments and areas requiring consolidation. Additionally, my exploration included an informal study of different types of paper as observed under the microscope. I enjoyed discovering more about the materials I was conserving, and I am so grateful the conservators encouraged me to explore new avenues of conservation because it helped me realize where I thrive.

I am continuing to chasing my dream today by attending graduate school to conduct research on acrylic paints and focusing my class projects on applications of chemistry to cultural heritage. I am also connecting with conservation professionals to learn about the realities of life in their lab. Personalizing my education in these ways has allowed me to intentionally prepare myself for a career in conservation science.