Sara Babo

Sara Babo is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Conservation and Restoration (DCR), Faculty of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Specializing in the conservation of paintings and modern materials, she holds a PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (2021) with a focus on Conservation Science. At DCR, she teaches Conservation and Restoration of Paintings curriculum units.

• PhD: Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (2021)
• Research Focus: Characterization and conservation of modern materials, particularly acrylic sheets and PMMA.
• Funded Projects: Involved in PlasCO2 (2018-2021), exploring green CO2 technologies for cleaning plastics in heritage collections.

Her work bridges art and science, analyzing how synthetic polymers are used in artworks by notable artists like Ângelo de Sousa, Julião Sarmento, and Lourdes Castro. She employs advanced techniques like Raman microscopy for pigment identification and multi-analytical in situ studies.

Key trends in her recent publications include acrylic sheet degradation, polymer stability, preventive conservation strategies, and the application of scientific methods to contemporary art challenges. Her research emphasizes material analysis, environmental impact mitigation, and innovative conservation approaches for modern artworks.

Sara is based in Lab 045, Departmental Ed., with email contact s.babo@fct.unl.pt. She has contributed to critical studies on plastics conservation, risk assessment for oil collections, and historical material characterization.