Biography

Fernanda was born and raised in Mexico, where she earned a B.A. in Textile Design from the Ibero-American University. It was here that she was first introduced to community-based conservation. After graduating, she moved to California, where she earned a second degree in General Science and Art History. In 2022, she participated in the UCLA/Mellon Opportunity for Diversity in Conservation workshop, which expanded her knowledge in the conservation field and led to a fully funded internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

During her time at the Met, Fernanda worked in both the Textile and Objects Conservation departments, gaining exposure to a diverse range of conservation treatments and artifacts. Under expert supervision, she gained experience in using Multi-band Imaging for pigment identification and plans to further develop her understanding of this tool and its applications in the decision-making process.

In 2023, Fernanda volunteered at an excavation site in Quinhagak, Alaska, where she focused on the conservation of waterlogged organic materials. This experience allowed her to collaborate with local cultural bearers, archaeologists, and conservators in outreach activities aimed at promoting the recovery of ancestral traditions and knowledge.

Fernanda is actively broadening her conservation knowledge through internships and research opportunities, all while working full-time as a production coordinator in the textile manufacturing industry.