Dr Moira Bertasa

Moira is a Heritage Scientist with a BSc and MSc in Heritage Science and a PhD in Chemical and Materials Science. Throughout her career, she has worked in both academic and museum institutions, focusing on the characterization and analysis of heritage materials ranging from historical to modern and contemporary. Her expertise includes the assessment of various cleaning techniques, with particular focus on gel and laser cleaning methods.

She is Conservation Laboratory Manager within the Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media MSc programme at University College London (2025–), where she oversees the conservation laboratory operations and support the delivery of the two-year MSc programme. Alongside her position at UCL, she works as Heritage Scientist at Historic Royal Palaces (2023–), where she leads analytical investigations and research project that support the preservation and conservation of a diverse collection, working closely with conservators and curators across the organization.

Visit Moira's RPS Profile for the most up to date information.

Research

Her research focuses on the scientific investigation of cultural heritage materials, combining both invasive and non-invasive techniques (e.g., OM, SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman, HSI, Py-GC/MS, HPLC). A significant part of her research is dedicated to evaluating and optimizing cleaning methodologies through the design of model samples and multi-analytical assessment of cleaning outcomes. Furthermore, she has recently been involved in the digitization of artifacts using 3D laser scanning technologies.

Specialisms
Material analysis, modern and contemporary art, museum studies.

Selected Publications

• Riminesi C., Manganelli Del Fa R., Brizzi S., Rocco A., Fontana R., Bertasa M., Grifoni E, Impallaria A., Leucci G., De Giorgi L., Ferrari I., Giuri F., Penoni S., Felici A. (2024) Architectural assessment of wall paintings using a multimodal and multi-resolution diagnostic approach: The test site of the Brancacci chapel in Firenze. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 66, pp 99-109
• Bertasa, M., Korenberg, C. (2022) Investigating the potential of the Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers for the cleaning of feathers: a pilot study. Heritage Science 10, 153.
• Bertasa M. and Korenberg C. (2022) Successes and challenges in laser cleaning metal artefacts: A review, Journal of Cultural Heritage, 53, 100-117.
• Bertasa M., Ricci C, Scarcella A, Zenucchini F, Pellis G, Croveri P, Scalarone D. (2020) Overcoming Challenges in Street Art Murals Conservation: A Comparative Study on Cleaning Approach and Methodology. Coatings. 10(11):1019. 
• Bertasa M., Canevali C., Sansonetti A., Lazzari M., Malandrino M., Simonutti R., Scalarone D. (2020) An in-depth study on the agar gel effectiveness for built heritage cleaning. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 44, 285–296.

Teaching

Moira supports Lecturers within the Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media MSc programme.