Timothy P. Whalen is Director of the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI). A part of the Los Angeles based J. Paul Getty Trust, the GCI works internationally to advance and improve the practice of conservation of the cultural heritage. A California native, Whalen holds a B.A. in Art History and an M.A. in Museum Studies / Art History from the University of Southern California. He was awarded a Loeb Fellowship in Advanced Environmental Studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He served as an Advisor from California to the National Trust for Historic Preservation from 1999 to 2009 and as Advisor Chair during 2007-2009. He is a member of the Board of Studies for the Courtauld Institute of Art Wall Painting Conservation Program and is a member of the U.S. National Commission to UNESCO. He has served as a board member to the California Preservation Foundation.