Education |
MSIS/CAS in Book & Paper Conservation (Expected May 2009)
Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record,
School of Information,
University of Texas at Austin
PhD, M.Phil in Slavic Languages & Literature (2006)
Yale University, New Haven, CT
BA with Departmental Honors in Russian Language & Literature (1995)
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
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Conservation Work Experience |
Conservation Technician (Sept. 2007 - Present)
Architecture & Planning Library, UT Austin, Austin, TX
• Evaluates damaged materials and formulates treatment decisions.
• Performs treatments on circulating and special collections materials.
• Oversees pest monitoring program.
Book Conservation Technician (Nov. 2005 - Mar. 2006)
Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University, Farmington, CT
• Stabilized over 400 18th-century leather bindings using solvent-reactivated tissue repairs in preparation for a relocation of the collection.
• Prepared treatment materials, written and photographic documentation.
Sculpture Conservation Technician (2003-2006)
ConservArt, LLC, Hamden, CT
• Assessed and treated private/museum sculptures, public monuments, fountains, and historic gravemarkers.
• Performed a range of treatments on bronze, copper, iron, marble, slate, granite, brownstone, and plaster.
• Executed a variety of techniques, including cleaning, consolidation, patination, coating removal & application, in-painting, and resculpting lost elements.
• Assisted in mold-making from historic originals and casting epoxy-resin replicas.
• Conducted historical research, condition assessments, report writing, and photographic documentation.
Book & Paper Conservation Assistant (1998-2000, 2002-2003)
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Performed full treatments on hundreds of tracts from the British and American Tracts Collection, including disassembly, testing, washing, mending, guarding, resewing, and re-covering.
• Constructed custom drop-spine manuscript boxes for over 250 pre-1600s artifacts.
• Constructed hundreds of four-flap wrappers and phase boxes.
• Provided written documentation and tracked ARL statistics.
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Editorial Work Experience |
Contractual Abstractor (July 2007 - July 2008)
The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, CA
• Abstracts conservation-related articles for the AATA Online database.
Russian Translator & Copy Editor (2006-Present)
The Northern Expanse (Severnye Prostory) Magazine, Moscow, Russia
Editorial Staff (2003-2006)
Biran Magazine, publication of the Birankai International Aikido Organization
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Teaching & Administrative Work Experience |
Teaching Assistant (2007)
School of Information, UT Austin, Austin, TX
Introduction to Preservation (Fall 2007)
Introduction to Conservation Methods (Summer Session 2007)
Part-Time Acting Instructor in Russian Language (2002-2003)
Teaching Fellow in Russian Literature and Culture (1998-2002)
Department of Slavic Languages & Literature, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Events & Fundraising Coordinator (2003-2006)
Assistant Martial Arts Instructor (1999-2006)
CT Aikikai: Traditional School of Aikido, New Haven, CT |
Volunteer Experience |
Planning Committee, Edible Book Festival 2007 (Spring 2007)
Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin
• Co-coordinated the local Edible Book Festival 2007 event at UT Austin.
• For a complete description and photos of the event, go to the "Outreach" link above.
HRC Photograph Album Survey (Fall 2006)
Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin, TX
• Surveyed the condition of photograph albums in the HRC collection.
• Performed minor treatments as needed.
Children's Tent Special Presenter, Texas Book Festival (Fall 2006)
Austin, TX
• Presented a bookbinding demonstration and led over forty children and their families in a hands-on activity at the Texas Book Festival.
• For a complete description and photos of the event, go to the "Outreach" link above. |
Language & Technology Skills |
Languages
Native English, fluent Russian, excellent reading knowledge of French and Old Church Slavic.
Technology Skills
MacIntosh and Windows Operating Systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, stereomiscroscopy and polarizing light microscopy, familiarity with SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. |
Honors & Awards |
Houston Endowed Presidential Scholarship (Fall 2006 - Spring 2007)
School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, TX
Newhouse Foundation Fellowship for teaching excellence (1999)
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Departmental Honors (1995) for
undergraduate thesis, Black and Mystical Hues: the Rational and Supernatural in the Prose Works of M.A. Bulgakov.
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT |
Memberships |
• American Institute for Conservation of Artistic and Historic Works (AIC)
• American Library Association (ALA)
• Nidan (2nd-degree blackbelt rank), United States Aikido Federation (USAF-WR) and Birankai International Aikido Organization |
Contact: melissatedone@gmail.com |