Benjamin W. Held

Research Scientist
University of Minnesota
495 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 612-625-6231
bheld@umn.edu

Ben Held at Ellesmere Island near the Peary historic huts

Research interests:
My research has been largely focused on wood deterioration processes and the preservation of historically significant structures and objects. An area of particular interest is studying these processes in polar environments, specifically the historic expedition huts in Antarctica and similar structures in the high Arctic. My research also involves wood from other terrestrial sites and waterlogged conditions. In addition, I have worked extensively on the biological control of blue stain on radiata pine in New Zealand and Chile.

Selected Publications:

Held, B. W., J. A. Jurgens, B. E. Arenz, S. M. Duncan, R. L. Farrell, and R. A. Blanchette. 2005. Environmetal factors influencing microbial growth inside the historic huts of Ross Island, Antarctica. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 55:45-53. PDF reprint

Held B. W., R.A. Blanchette, J.A. Jurgens, R.L. Farrell and S. Duncan. 2003. Deterioration and conservation issues associated with Antarctica’s historic huts. In: R. J. Koestler, V. R. Koestler, A. E. Charola, and F. E. Nieto-Fernandez, (Eds.), Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration of Works of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 370-389.

Blanchette, R.A., B.W. Held and R.L. Farrell. 2002. Defibration of wood in the expedition huts of Antarctica: an unusual deterioration process occurring in the polar environment. Polar Record 38 (207): 313-322. PDF reprint

Blanchette, R.A., B.W. Held, J.A. Jurgens, J. Aislabie, S. Duncan and R.L. Farrell, 2004. Environmental pollutants from the Scott and Shackleton expeditions during the ‘Heroic Age’ of Antarctic exploration. Polar Record 40 (213): 143-145. PDF reprint

Held, B.W., J.M. Thwaites, R.L. Farrell and R.A. Blanchette. 2003. Albino strains of Ophiostoma species for biological control of sapstaining fungi. Holzforschung 57: 237-242. PDF reprint