[Portrait] Catherine Vieillescazes, professor emeritus in chemistry
Art and archaeology have shaped my career as a cultural heritage chemist. I have crossed and continue to cross paths with curators of museum collections, curator-restorers, artists, historians, archaeologists, Egyptologists... passionate and fascinating people. Molecular archaeometry proves to be rich in emotions.
What are your current scientific activities?
The scientific programme of the AIC2020 international conference which will take place in Avignon from 6 to 9 October 2020. The double theme, natural and digital colours, will allow beautiful encounters between different specialities.
Not forgetting, of course, an active participation in the promotion of the book published in the collection "En-Jeux" (EUA), " A treasure at the University of Avignon. The pharmacy of the Sainte-Marthe Hospital "..
Why did you choose to work in academic research?
A passion for science in general and more particularly for experimental science. The desire to understand things (or at least try to understand) has always been present in me.
Academic research has been my scientific tool: understanding the heritage object to better conserve and restore it.
What advice would you give to students who want to do research?
Oh, it's very short but very powerful: never hang up, never give up!
Which object or image from your research best illustrates you?
This is a shot of the mural I worked on during my very first European programme with Greece. Of course the photo has been revised with external complicity to express a more 'chemical' message, but I have always kept it in my favourite images.
Mis à jour le 17 January 2023