Welcome to Cross-Sections! We provide a behind-the-scenes look at the art conservation and science projects pursued at the Cantor Arts Center Art + Science Learning Lab.
What does a conservator do?
A conservator preserves, restores, conserves works of art.
Our conservators do this in many ways, including:
- determining the structural stability of individual works
- counteracting deterioration
- performing conservation treatments
All based on an evaluation of aesthetic, historic, and scientific characteristics of the art piece that includes conversations with curators and art historians, other conservators, scientists, and makers of art.
Generally, a conservator will have a background in art history, studio art, materials science, and chemistry, in addition to having considerable practical experience in conservation.
Stanford Staff:
Susan Roberts-Manganelli
Director, Art + Science Learning Lab
skrm@stanford.edu
650-725-0461
Samantha Fisher Li
Objects Conservator
slli@stanford.edu
650-724-5316
2016-2018 Student Fellow:
Katherine Van Kirk, Engineering Physics ’19 (Chen-Yang Fellow)
Current Stanford Student Interns:
Reilly Clark, Art History ’19, Lab Intern 2017

Cathy Yang, Art Practice ’20, Outdoor Sculpture Intern
Vivienne Le, Archaeology, ‘18 (Abroad Paris ‘17), Outdoor Sculpture Intern
Gabrielle Thiboutot, PhD Candidate, Classical Archaeology, APPEAR Project
2016 Student Fellow:
Jennie Yang, Materials Science ’19 (Geballe Fellow)
2015 Student Fellows:
Oliver Wang, Biology ’16, Chen-Yang Fellow 2015
Sara Sheffels, Materials Science ’16, VPUE Fellow 2015
Shawn Lee, Materials Science ’16, Geballe Fellow 2015
2014 Student Fellows:
Aman Thomas, Materials Science ’15, Geballe Fellow 2014
Federico Becker, Materials Science ’15, Art+Science Chen-Yang Fellow 2014
Former Stanford Student Interns:
Maria Olivia Davalos Stanton, Classics/Chemistry ’15, Outdoor Sculpture and Lab Intern
Taylor Hendrickson, Undeclared ’20, Conservation Lab Intern 2015
Andrew Barakat, Economics ’15, Outdoor Sculpture Intern
Gabe Tall, Philosophy ’16, Outdoor Sculpture Intern 2014-2015
Candice Kim, Biology, Lab intern 2014
Victoria Kennedy, Religious Studies/Art History ’14 Lab intern 2014
Kevin Chow, Materials Science ’14, Lab intern 2012-13
Ivy Nguyen, Chemical Engineering ’14, Lab intern 2011-12
Owen Falk, Chemical Engineering, MS ’14, Outdoor sculpture intern 2014
Dave Evans, Mechanical Engineering, Outdoor Sculpture Intern
Nichole Litvinas, Chemistry, Ph D ’10, TA for “Art, Chemistry and Madness” (ChemEng 80Q), Lab intern, Conservation Science Feasibility Study 2010
Kiran Malladi, Engineering and Robotics, PhD 2013, Lab intern
Anita Verma, Biology, Lab intern 2008; Lab assistant 2013
Sid Carter, Archeology/Earth Science ’05, Lab research intern
Rachel Danford, Art History ’06, Lab intern 2005
Alisa Chiles, Art History ’06, Lab intern 2005
Elizabeth Wessels, Art History/Archaeology ’05, Lab intern 2005
Alice Barnes, Art History/Athletics (Tennis), Lab intern 2005
Melina Avery, Art History/Studio Art Sara Lawrence, Outdoor Sculpture intern 2004
Anne Gunnison, Art History, Lab intern 2004
Alisa Eagleston, Art History, ’04, Lab intern 2001-2004
Pedro Guimaraes Martins, Undeclared ’19, Outdoor Sculpture Intern (2016)
Mauricio Antunano, Philosophy ’15, Outdoor Sculpture Intern (2013-2015)
Kristel Bugayong, Communication ‘18, Lab Intern (summer 2016)
Current Pre-Program and Graduate Interns:
Former Pre-Program and Graduate Interns:
Céline Chrétien, Outdoor Sculpture Intern, ‘16-’17
Emily Farek, Outdoor Sculpture Intern Summer ’15
Theresa Merchant, Outdoor Sculpture Intern 2016
Nicole Passeroti, Pre-program conservation intern, 2012-2014
Jocelyn Chan, Art History/Chemistry, Outdoor Art intern
Former Staff Contributors:
Emy Kim, Outdoor Sculpture Coordinator and Objects Conservator
Oliver O’Donnell and Ellen Bechtol Outdoor Sculpture Coordinators
Elizabeth Saetta, Outdoor Sculpture Coordinator and Objects Conservator
Mariko Chang