Teresa Duncan, Ph.D.
Senior Conservation Scientist
Teresa Duncan received her PhD in Chemistry from Georgetown University, where she developed and characterized polymeric gel systems in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships, the first as a National Research Council postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she developed and applied measurement techniques to better understand how soft materials like gels can be used for cleaning surface grime. In her subsequent postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Conservation Institute, she worked directly with conservators and conservation scientists to explore cleaning material requirements for gently yet effectively reducing the appearance of soot on textured papers.
Teresa’s research interests revolve mainly around conservation treatment, and she is passionate about all areas of conservation science. She routinely builds connections and collaborations with conservators through collaborative projects, hosting workshops, writing blog articles, and engaging in meaningful discussions. In joining SAFA, she brings a wealth of conservation science experience in developing gel-based treatments, as well as microscopy and spectroscopy expertise.