Dr Nicola Attard Montalto

Nicola Attard Montalto is a conservation scientist and a materials analyst.  She is currently exploring surface interactions between fingerprints and porous materials, working as a post-doctoral research associate in Dr Jones’ Forensic Science Research Group in ETCbrunel.  Her research is part of a Leverhulme Trust funded project that aims to improve detection and increase the level of information available from recovered documents, and makes strong use of imaging and surface techniques such as SEM-EDX, ToF-SIMS, AFM, XPS, micro-raman and micro-FTIR spectroscopy. 

Joining ETCbrunel in 2011 from Cranfield University, Dr Attard Montalto’s research has generally focused on instrumental analysis for characterisation purposes, with previous work including trace element provenancing studies, analysis of archaeological and cultural objects for authentication and evaluation purposes, phase recognition of crystalline components of uroliths, accelerated ageing of polymers and surface analysis.  She is therefore experienced at carrying out analysis of materials using microscopy, electron microscopy, IR, Raman, diffraction, fluorescence, and other X-ray methods for imaging and elemental identification.  

Publications: 

‘‘Elemental Analysis for the Provenancing of Ancient Ochres from the Neolithic Temple Period in Malta’’

N. Attard Montalto, A. Shortland, K. Rogers

Journal of Archaeological Sciences, 39 (2012) 1094

 

‘‘Composition of uroliths in small domestic animals in the United Kingdom’’

K.D. Rogers, B. Jones, L. Roberts, M. Rich,  N. Attard Montalto, S. Beckett. 

The Veterinary Journal 188: 2 (2011) 228