Staff
Mary W. Ballard
Senior Textile Conservator - CV
(301) 238-1210
BallardM@si.edu
B.A. (1971) Wellesley; M.A. and Diploma in Conservation (1979) Institute of Fine Arts, New York University
Areas of interest: textile preservation, storage, and treatment.
Harriet (Rae) F. Beaubien
Senior Objects Conservator
(301) 238-1235
BeaubienH@si.edu
B.A. (1972) Beloit College; M.A. (1976) University of Chicago; Diploma in Conservation (1986) Institute of Fine Arts, New York University
Areas of interest: archaeological objects, on-site conservation.
Roland H. Cunningham
Senior Paintings Conservator
(301) 238-1234
CunninghamR@si.edu
B.A. (1962) New York University
Additional studies: Institute of Fine Arts, Conservation Center, New York University
Areas of interest: inorganic characterization of paints, pigments and archaeological materials; technical studies of artists' materials and techniques on canvas, panel paintings, and polychromed wood sculpture.
Paula T. Depriest
Deputy Director
(301) 238-1206
DEPRIESTP@si.edu
B.A. (1978) Union University; M.S. (1983) University of Tennessee; Ph.D. (1992) Duke University
Areas of interest: systematics, chemotazonomy and molecular evolution of lichens, especially Cladoniaceae and Parmeliaceae.
Melanie E. Feather
Assistant Director for Operations
(301) 238-1233
FeatherM@si.edu
B.A. (1984) Franklin and Marshall College; M.S. (1986) University of Michigan
Areas of interest: application of electron and x-ray techniques to the study of art objects, archaeological material, and other museum specimens.
Christine A. M. France
Physical Scientist
(301) 238-1261
FranceC@si.edu
B.S. (2001) University of Maryland; M.S. (2004) Geology/Paleontology, North Carolina State University; Ph.D. (2008) Geology/Paleontology, University of Maryland
Areas of interest: Stable isotope characterization of organic and inorganic materials; diagenetic alteration of archaeologic and paleontologic specimens; late Pleistocene/early Holocene archaeology and paleontology.
Jennifer Giaccai
Conservation Scientist
(301) 238-1211
GiaccaiJ@si.edu
B.A. (1995) Macalester College; M.S.E. (1999) Johns Hopkins University
Areas of interest: conservation science; characterization and identification of artists' materials using chromatography and spectroscopy, primarily GCMS and FTIR microscopy; technical studies of works of art.
Carol A. Grissom
Senior Objects Conservator - CV
(301) 238-1236
GrissomC@si.edu
B.A. (1970) Wellesley College; M.A. (1974) Oberlin College
Areas of interest: sculptures in bronze, stone, zinc, plaster, and wood.
Robert J. Koestler
Director; Chief Scientist
(301) 238-1205
KoestlerR@si.edu
B.S. (1972) SUNY Stony Brook; M.A. (1977) CUNY Hunter College; M.Ph. (1983), Ph.D. (1985) CUNY City College
Areas of interest: conservation science and collections preservation.
Francine T. Lewis
Management Support Assistant
(301) 238-1209
LewisF@si.edu
Certificate (1980) University of the District of Columbia; Certificate (1984) Prince George's Community College
Responsibilities: management/administration support, travel coordinator, internship/fellows/visiting scientist liaison, timekeeper.
Nicole Little
Physical Scientist
(301) 238-1243
LittleN@si.edu
B.A. (2001) University of Missouri - Columbia; M.A. (2005) Anthropology, University of Missouri - Columbia
Areas of interest: Chemical characterization of archaeological materials utilizing inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, x-ray fluorescence, and neutron activation analysis; prehistory of Mesoamerica and the American Southwest; historic archaeology of the Mid-Atlantic.
Marion F. Mecklenburg
Senior Research Scientist
(301) 238-1241
MecklenburgM@si.edu
B.S.C.E. (1970), M.S. (1972), Ph.D. (1984) University of Maryland
Areas of interest: mechanical properties of solid materials and the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and moisture; computer modeling of structures under static and dynamic loadings.
Ann B. N'Gadi
Technical Information Specialist/Webmaster - CV
(301) 238-1224
NGadiA@si.edu
B.A. (1987) Anthropology, University of Oregon; M.L.S. (1992) Library Science, University of Maryland
Additional studies: Westminster College (History); University of Pittsburgh (Archaeology); Anne Arundel Community College
Areas of interest: anthropology and archaeology; computer applications for information science and retrieval; Internet applications; public relations; publications and editing.
Beverly M. Smith
Assistant to the Director
(301) 238-1207
SmithBM@si.edu
Certificate in Nursing (1971) American University; A.A. (1984) Center for Independent Studies
Responsibilities: EOE Officer; budget forecasting, budget administration; office manager; liaison for human resources, fellowships and grants, sponsored projects, plant services, design and construction.
R. Jeff Speakman
Head of Technical Studies
(301) 238-1242
SpeakmanJ@si.edu
A.A. (1995) Anthropology, Cochise College, Sierra Vista, Arizona; B.A. (1996) Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona; M.A. (2002) Anthropology, University of Missouri, Columbia; Ph.D. Candidate (Current) Anthropology, University of Missouri, Columbia
Research interests: Prehistory of Beringia, the Northern Plains and the American Southwest. Materials characterization studies of obsidian, pottery, and other cultural objects via neutron activation analysis, x-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Recent Publications
Jia-sun Tsang, LEED AP
Senior Paintings Conservator
(301) 238-1231
TsangJ@si.edu
M.S. (1974) Chemistry, Bowling Green State University; M.S. (1985) Paintings Conservation, Winterthur Museum, Art Conservation Program, University of Delaware
Areas of interest: materials identification in modern art and paintings; collections care and preservation standards in museum exhibits and storage; preservation of modern materials - paints, plastics and composites.
Melvin J. Wachowiak, Jr.
Senior Conservator
(301) 238-1218
WachowiakM@si.edu
B.S. (1981) Springfield College; M.S. (1989) Winterthur Museum, Art Conservation Program, University of Delaware
Areas of interest: 3D documentation, replication of objects, and uses of 3D scanning for cultural heritage reseaarch; wood technology and conservation of wooden objects.
Judy Watson
Physical Scientist
(301) 238-1238
WatsonJ@si.edu
B.Sc. (2006) Archaeological Science, University of Bradford (UK)
Areas of interest: minimally destructive analysis and imaging using SEM-EDS.
Donald C. Williams
Senior Furniture Conservator - CV
B.A. (1985) University of Delaware
Areas of interest: furniture finishes and colorants.
Vernetta M. Williams
Administrative Officer
(301) 238-1208
WilliamsV@si.edu
B.S. (1954) Howard University
Responsibilities: financial transactions, procurement, and property accounting.
Emiriti
Martha Goodway
Metallurgist, Emeritus
(301) 238-1213
GoodwayM@si.edu
S.B. (1958) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Areas of interest: archaeometallurgy; the study of the traditional technologies of mining, smelting, refining, and forming of metals and their by-products in Europe, Egypt, and Southwest Asia; the metals of music.