WLCC Team
The Warren Lasch Conservation Center has a very diverse team with team members from all over the world. We welcome research interns. Learn more about internship opportunities with us.
 Stéphanie CrettéDirector / Research Professor MS&E Dr. Cretté's research interests include high-pressure techniques, corrosion mitigation, coating weathering and fouling prevention in marine environments, green chemistry, polymer composites, and nanocomposites for energy systems and automotive applications. See Dr. Cretté's full biography > |
 Johanna RiveraSenior Conservator/Collections Manager & Adjunct Professor Ms. Rivera's main research interest includes theoretical and practical research in the treatment and conservation of waterlogged textiles, as well as new techniques for storage of artifacts in a microclimate environment and preventive conservation. See Ms. Rivera's full biography > |
 Michael ScafuriArchaeologist/3D Metrologist Mr. Scafuri's research interests include 3D documentation and modeling, visualization of archaeological data, digital reconstruction and site plan development, and Inspection and comparative analysis of 3D models. See Mr. Scafuri's full biography > |
 Melissa AllenConservator Melissa first joined the WLCC in March of 2023 as a Kress Fellow. She is now part of the WLCC team of conservators responsible for the conservation and preservation of the H. L. Hunley submarine and its associated artifacts, as well as the assessment, documentation, treatment and research of a variety of other WLCC projects. Melissa completed her Master of Art Conservation at Queen’s University with a specialization in the treatment of artifacts and has worked on a wide variety of artwork and artifacts in both the public and private sectors. Her current research focuses on the treatment of waterlogged organic artifacts. See Ms. Allen's full biography > |
 Christopher J. McKenzieAssistant Conservator Chris started volunteering at the WLCC in the summer of 2013. He assists with conservation and artifact documentation. He has previously volunteered at the Australian War Memorial, assisting in the small objects lab with conservation and documentation. Chris has a B.A. in Cultural Heritage Management from the University of Canberra in Canberra, Australia. See Mr. McKenzie's full biography > |
 Claire AchtylHistoric Preservation Specialist (Built Environment) Claire is a graduate of the Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from Clemson University and the College of Charleston and holds a B.A. in Environmental Design from the University at Buffalo. Claire began work at Warren Lasch Conservation Center in 2015 to support conservation projects with the National Park Service at Fort Moultrie's Battery Jasper. As part of our conservation effort on cannon and architectural elements under a collaborative agreement with the National Park Service, she leads the team in the conservation of their efforts at Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah, Georgia, as well as continuing work at Fort Sumter National Historic Park. Her interests lay in architectural conservation, mainly in metal, plaster, and mortar studies. She also focuses on 3D laser scanning documentation and research of historic architecture at WLCC. See Ms. Achtyl's full biography > |
 Lisa Maria ArslanerConservation Scientist Lisa’s responsibilities at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center include managing the analytical equipment at the facility as well as performing analytical testing (XRF, GC-MS, µ-Raman, FTIR, IC) for internal and external projects. Lisa also partakes in the expansion of sub- and supercritical fluid technologies to cultural heritage materials and objects. Lisa works closely in collaboration with conservators and archaeologists at the WLCC and is involved in many of its external projects. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the American College of the Building Arts, where she teaches students about Building Materials and Scientific Methods. See Ms. Arslaner's full biography > |
Nicholas DeLong  Maritime Archaeologist Nick joined the Warren Lasch Conservation Center team in October of 2018. He graduated with his Master’s degree in Maritime Archaeology from East Carolina University in 2015. His research interests include naval archaeology, ship construction, 3D documentation, and material culture analyses. His research interests include artifact documentation, 3D documentation and modeling, ship construction, and naval archaeology. See Mr. DeLong's full biography > |
Patricia A. Ploehn Historic Preservation Specialist Patricia’s responsibilities at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center include the examination, documentation, and treatment of collections managed by WLCC, including conservation objects and outdoor historic cultural heritage. Patricia participates in the creation and implementation of chemical and mechanical treatments for WLCC collections. She also produces, organizes, and maintains object treatment reports, as well as writing grants and technical publications for the conservation center. Her master’s thesis, titled Habitats and Heritage: An Analysis of the Natural and Cultural Resource Management of the South Carolina Lowcountry, performed a comparative analysis of public and private organizations’ management of Lowcountry landscapes for the conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage. See Ms. Ploehn's full biography > |
 Tatsiana ManderFiscal tech/accountant Ms. Mander started volunteering at the WLCC in the summer of 2015. She is responsible for the digitalization of conservation and artifact documentation for the period of 2002-2015. She is assisting with the creation of a comprehensive searchable database accessible in the future by internal stakeholders, students and external 3rd parties. In addition, Tatsiana supports and learns from other projects, activities and research directions across the laboratory. Previously, Ms. Mander worked internationally in educational and industrial settings with a focus on administrative tasks and research services, including work with students and customers. She graduated from the Belarus Institute of Management of Enterprise with a B.A. degree in Management and Accounting in 2001 and lately certified as an Office Assistant by the Canadian Adult Education Center in 2008. Tatsiana Mander joined the WLCC team in an official capacity as a fiscal tech/accountant in the summer of 2018. |
 Kate DieringerConservator Kate joined the WLCC in January 2022 after finishing her MSc in conservation practice from Cardiff University. Kate’s responsibilities will include carrying out the documentation and treatment for the WLCC contracts. See Ms. Dieringer's full biography > |
 Stephen WeiseWLCC Volunteer Mr. Weise's research interests include learning the design methods and features associated with the Hunley, Determining how the Hunley was operated and any changes in operational procedures over the life of the submarine, and Searching for additional historical records or accounts of the operations of Hunley and the identities and personal lives of the crews. See Mr. Weise's full biography > |
 Amelia SpadeArtifact Illustration Amelia Spade holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Clemson University and the College of Charleston and an undergraduate degree from Auburn University. She is currently working with Warren Lasch Conservation Center to illustrate the personal artifacts from H. L. Hunley’s captain and crew. These scale drawings can then be used for further research and publication. In the past, Amelia has worked for both the SC State Park Service and the National Park Service. She is also a watercolor artist and children’s book illustrator. |
 Greg VarleyWLCC Volunteer Greg assists the WLCC professional staff in the identification of artifact origins, design and manufacture. Assisting professional staff in placement of recovered artifacts with appropriate Hunley crewman, and to provide historic context for those artifacts. See Mr. Varley's full biography > |