Dr Tracey Chaplin

2003–Present Self-employed
Independent Scientific Consultant
 Analysis and identification of pigments, other artists’ materials and their degradation products found on works of art, furniture, paper and textiles.
 Techniques routinely used include polarizing light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Raman and infrared spectroscopies, cross-sectional analysis, X-ray diffraction and reflectography, infrared photography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
 Teaching of analytical science courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level (at London Metropolitan University, University College London, City & Guilds of London Art School, and advanced summer schools). Course contents include basic and advanced polarizing light microscopy, polymer chemistry (plastics, adhesives, consolidants and coatings), solvent theory & practice, cross-sectional analysis, environmental monitoring & control, the chemistry of colour and analytical methods in chemistry and physics.

2001–2003 Dept. of Chemistry, University College London
Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
 Analysis and identification of mineral and organic pigments, and their degradation products, on artwork, illuminated manuscripts, philatelic and archeaeological materials using in situ Raman spectroscopy (in which no sampling of the object is necessary).
 Investigation of new synthetic materials at high temperatures and high pressures using Raman spectroscopy, neutron diffraction and synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

1998–2001 Dept. of Earth Sciences, University College London
Post-Doctoral Research Assistant
 Investigation of the behaviour of geological materials at high temperatures and high pressures using a variety of analytical methods, including X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopies and neutron diffraction.



EDUCATION
1994–1998 Dept. of Earth Sciences, University College London
Ph.D. in Geology
 The thesis (entitled “The Lattice Dynamics of Garnets”) details the analysis of the microscopic vibrational processes in garnets, using Raman spectroscopy, inelastic neutron scattering and computer simulations.
1991–1994 Dept. of Earth Sciences, University College London
B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology – 1st Class
 Focused on mineralogy, crystallography and hard rock courses
2004 Bronze medal winner of the 7th International L’Oréal Art and Science of Color Prize (awarded to “people who have made distinguished contributions to the creative meeting of science and art through color”) for The Pigment Compendium