Laura Hendriks

Laura Hendriks is a Research Fellow at the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture, where she specializes in radiocarbon dating of cultural heritage objects through innovative compound-specific isotopic analysis. Her work bridges analytical chemistry and art conservation, focusing on microscale dating of natural organic dyes, pigments, and binding media.

• Education:
  • MSc in Chemistry, ETH Zurich
  • BSc HES-SO in Chemistry, Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture

Her research explores the chemical fingerprints of organic colorants to establish their provenance and chronology. By optimizing Raman spectroscopy and CSRA protocols, she addresses challenges in dating complex heritage materials, such as medieval sculptures and polychrome artifacts. Her 2024–2028 project funded by the Branco Weiss Fellowship aims to refine microscale 14C analysis for textiles and Swiss postage stamps. Earlier collaborations, including with the University of Amsterdam and National Museums Scotland, highlight her interdisciplinary approach.

The scientific awards she has received include the Branco Weiss Fellowship. Her publications emphasize methodological breakthroughs in sequential dye analysis and radiocarbon dating of sub-milligram samples. Current projects under the 14Colours initiative and Textile Stamps involve teams at Institut ChemTech, with partners like Dr. Negar Haghipour and Prof. Maarten van Bommel.