Mark Kearney
Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science Division
Main areas of work and/or specializations
- modern materials
- solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS)
- pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)
- Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
Biography
Mark Kearney earned a B.A. (Hons) in Physics and Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin before moving into conservation science, obtaining a M.Sc. in Professional Conservation at Cardiff University. Following a short placement at the National Library of Ireland, Mark was awarded a year-long Institute of Conservation internship in modern materials funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The internship was then extended by six months with help from the Gabo Trust. Before joining the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), they completed a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Heritage Science at the Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) Center for Doctoral Training. Their doctoral thesis focused on using SPME GC-MS for the analysis of volatile organic compound emissions from polymeric artworks within museum collections.
Mark joined CCI in March 2021 and currently specializes in the analysis and research of modern materials. This work is focused on a range of different material types and contexts. Mark also chairs the modern materials working group at CCI. This group was created to increase CCI’s research presence in the area.