Cindy Connelly Ryan is a Preservation Science Specialist at the Library of Congress with a dual background in physics (Carnegie-Mellon University) and art conservation (New York University). Before joining LC she was a Forbes Fellow at the Freer/Sackler Galleries of the Smithsonian Institution, and is a Professional Associate of AIC. Her current research projects center on developing improved analytical methods for the characterization of organic colorants, iron gall ink, and micro-fade testing, as well as making reconstruction of obsolete historic artists’ materials. She frequently collaborates with LC’s Conservators on the assessment of conservation techniques and materials, and conducts technical studies of collection items' materiality to probe preservation and curatorial questions.