BIOGRAPHIES
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Graziani, Scientific Chair, is professor of Mineralogy in the Earth Sciences Department, University of Rome La Sapienza. He works in the field of crystal chemistry of minerals, specifically the borates and silicates. He is an internationally known gemologist and since 1975 has been the Italian delegate to the International Gemological Conference. He is particularly interested in the definition and growing conditions of emeralds and sapphires. He was responsible for the classification of the Dactylotheque presented by Pope Leon XII to the Old University La Sapienza" of Rome.
Dr. Maurizio Sannibale has a degree in arts with a major in archeology. From 1986 to 1996 he worked on restoration projects in the Vatican MuseumÃs restoration laboratories, studying ancient craftsmanship techniques and restoration methods employed in the 18th and 19th centuries. He has been the curator of the Vatican MuseumÃs Etruscan Antiquities Division since 1996. He has published many articles, including "Le urne cinerarie di eta ellenistica," Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, Cataloghi 3" (Roma 1994) and "Le armi della collezione Gorga al Museo Nazionale Romano," Studia Archeologica 92" (Roma 1998).
Dr. Carlo Aurisicchio, Vice President of SMATCH Italia, is Director of the Roman Branch of the Geosciences and Georesources Institute (IGG) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR). He has a degree in chemistry and does research in the field of crystal chemistry of minerals. He specializes in pegmatite minerals and has published several articles on beryls, tourmalines, and complex oxides of niobium and tantalum. He is the founder and scientist-in-charge of the Special Project on Cultural Heritage of the CNR. He has published many works on the archeological and gemological aspects of beryl.
Dr. Stella Nunziante Cesaro, President of SMATCH Italy, graduated in physics and chemistry from the University of Rome La Sapienza. She is First Researcher of the Italian National Research Council. She received two grants from NATO to study at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Nunziante Cesaro is the author of many publications and articles on cultural heritage and regularly works on museum projects. She is an expert on infrared spectroscopy, a methodology that she has applied to the study of precious stones.
Sylvana Ehrman has a political science degree from the Ecole des Sciences Politiques de Paris. She is a graduate gemologist and co-founder of the Brazilian Institute of Gemology in Sao Paolo and, in conjunction with Sao Paolo's art museum, organizer of an exhibition on Brazilian Gems and Jewelry. She was Smithsonian Cultural Liaison for Italy and Portugal during the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in Washington, D.C. During her husband's Foreign Service assignments, she assisted Peruvian anthropology Professor Amat with research on the Chavin civilization and, in Manila, was a docent at the Ayala Museum. She speaks fluent English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Paolo Boni is a graduate in Business Administration and is a financial advisor. He is a long time member of Lions International and has srved in many capacities in that organization. He is involved in research in art and history and is active in various Italian cultural organizations.