Rate My Professor Petronella Nel

University of Melbourne

#4,604 worldwide#4,492 in Australia

Polymer Chemistry Spectroscopy Materials Chemistry Archaeology Urban and Cultural Heritage

4.4

5 reviews · out of 5

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Ratings & reviews

4.08/20/2025

Always patient, kind, and understanding.

4.05/21/2025

Creates dynamic and engaging lessons.

5.03/31/2025

Always goes the extra mile for students.

4.02/27/2025

Always positive and motivating in class.

5.02/4/2025

Great Professor!

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About Petronella

Associate Professor Petronella Nel serves at the University of Melbourne in the Faculty of Arts, specifically within the Robert Cripps Institute for Cultural Conservation, building on the legacy of the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation. She possesses an interdisciplinary academic foundation, having earned a BSc (Honours) in Chemistry in 1990, a PhD in Chemistry in 2000, and an MA in Cultural Materials Conservation in 2006, all from the University of Melbourne. Her research specializes in cultural materials conservation, with a strong emphasis on polymers and plastics in heritage collections. Nel employs advanced instrumental techniques, such as portable FTIR-ATR and reflectance spectroscopy, for non-invasive identification, characterization of degradation, and development of preservation strategies for materials including cellulose nitrate, plasticised PVC, polyethylene, and adhesives in archaeological pottery. She chairs the Users Committee at the Grimwade Centre and contributes to the teaching and research team, fostering collaborations with entities like CSIRO, Museums Victoria, Powerhouse Museum, and Queensland Museum.