University of Delaware UD Faculty

Jocelyn Alcántara-García joined the WUDPAC program in the fall of 2014 after working for about five years in interdisciplinary projects (predominantly in Mexico, where she was born). All projects were conducted in close collaboration with conservators and scientists, and included the examination of iron gall inks, archaeological organic materials and seashells, research on degradation of certain conservation and restoration materials, investigation for the development of novel methodologies for paper stabilization as well as identification of binding media in pre-Columbian wall paintings and non-destructive examination of archival material.

Jocelyn studied Conservation for two years at the National School of Conservation, Restoration and Museography (ENCRyM) and received a B. S. in Chemistry from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 2005. In 2009 she received her Ph. D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the same institution, nominated as candidate for the Alfonso Caso Medal.

She has been awarded with grants such as a young scientists’ start-up grant from the Mexico City government (ICyT-DF) and an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has completed an internship at the Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic (polymers), training in contemporary art analysis at the National Museum of Contemporary Art Reina Sofia in Spain, postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University and numerous trainings in different areas of conservation and chemical education.

Although her research has been predominantly on archival and cellulosic materials, her research interests span beyond these: from contemporary works of art to the study of underwater archaeological remains to historical toys; and from the study of historical restorations to the development of better treatments for the preservation of cultural heritage.