Biography

Paula Nabais graduated in 2012 at the Department of Conservation and Restoration of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology – NOVA University of Lisbon (DCR/FCT-UNL). Here she also completed her Master in Conservation and Restoration in 2014, with an Erasmus Scholarship to do her master thesis in the Università degli Studi di Perugia, with Costanza Miliani, coordinator of the MOLAB European infrastructure (www.iperionch.eu/-/molab). This project focused on the creation of a database of spectroscopic techniques for the characterization of yellow dyes, to allow their identification in pre-Columbian codices, such as those in the Vatican Apostolic Library, that were studied in the context of a Molab mission in this master thesis. This work has led to a communication in the conference Chemistry for Cultural Heritage, 2014.

Presently, Paula Nabais is a PhD fellow in Conservation Science, at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology – NOVA University of Lisbon. She integrates an interdisciplinary team that studies medieval Portuguese illuminations, with knowledges from the areas of chemistry, art and history. Her PhD project focuses on the characterization of dyes, with the development of innovative methods that will allow their correct identification in manuscripts. In this context, four manuscripts where selected: the Ajuda Songbook (13-14th c.), two bibles from the Alcobaça monastery (12th c.) and the Book of Hours of Queen Eleanor (15th c.). The use of microspectrofluorimetry, will allow for the creation of an innovative database of dyes for their characterization and identification in manuscripts. This will allow, in the future, for the employment of correct preservation and conservation actions, so that the public can appreciate these beautiful treasures.