Elisabetta Zendri

Elisabetta Zendri is a Full Professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She earned her degree in Industrial Chemistry from Ca' Foscari and specializes in the Chemistry of the Environment and Cultural Heritage (SSD CHEM-01/B). She coordinates Curriculum 7 - Contemporary Art in the Doctorate of National Interest in Heritage Science and serves as a Laboratory Supervisor for Heritage Conservation Research.

• Graduated in Industrial Chemistry (Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
• Coordinates doctoral curriculum in Contemporary Art
• Teaches 'Sciences for the conservation of cultural heritage' and 'The materiality of contemporary art'

Her research focuses on conservation science, particularly material interactions in historic environments and contemporary art. She develops innovative chemical treatments for stone, paper, and mural preservation, integrating nanotechnology (e.g., ALD coatings, ZIF-8 frameworks) and environmental monitoring to combat degradation from climate change and human activity. Her work spans UNESCO sites like Hegra (Saudi Arabia) and Geghard Monastery (Armenia).

Recent publications emphasize capillary rise, sustainable mortars, and non-invasive diagnostics. She leads projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and EU programs (INTERREG, JPI-CH ATLAS), addressing heritage-climate synergy and dampness mitigation in Venice.

• 2024: Member of ICOMOS CIF International workshop
• 2023: Guest Editor for Heritage (MDPI) Special Issue
• 2021-2022: Editorial Board Member, Heritage (MDPI)
• 2018: Guest Editor for Sustainability and Scanning journals

As Scientific Coordinator for the Tangible Cultural Heritage vs Sustainable Tourism research line and leader of the 'Tintoretto' restoration project, she bridges academic research with applied conservation. Her lab at Ca' Foscari's Studio 117 explores material longevity and eco-friendly treatments for historic structures.