A leading expert in architectural history, prehistoric preservation and preservation planning, Margarita C. Jerabek, PhD, has distinguished herself across a career spanning more than four decades. Since 2023, she has served as the historic resources strategic development director at Environmental Science Associates — an organization she initially joined in 2006 as the director of historic resources. In her current role, Dr. Jerabek’s extensive experience and technical expertise has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission. She has also demonstrated her commitment to the field by conducting webinars, delivering lectures, writing articles and teaching at local universities, even as she has faced significant health challenges.
Prior to joining Environmental Science Associates, Dr. Jerabek held the position of senior architectural historian and technical lead at EDAW (now AECOM), where she contributed her insight into complex preservation initiatives. For nearly 10 years starting in 1995, she was a senior architectural historian at Parsons Corporation, further solidifying her reputation for excellence in historic resource evaluation and preservation planning. Earlier in her career, Dr. Jerabek gained valuable academic experience as a graduate teaching assistant in the art history department at the University of California, Los Angeles, preceded by several years as an architectural historian at John Milner Associates and a curatorial internship at the National Building Museum. Her foundational roles include tenures as architectural historian at Land and Community Associates, library assistant for Ibero-American bibliography at the University of Virginia, graduate teaching assistant in the architectural history department at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, and guest curator at Oberlin College and Conservatory’s Allen Memorial Art Museum.
Among Dr. Jerabek’s most significant professional accomplishments is her conservation work for the RMS Queen Mary, an internationally recognized historic ship. She conducted a comprehensive survey of more than 2,500 important pieces of artwork on board the ship, underscoring her dedication to preserving cultural treasures for future generations. Since 2025, Dr. Jerabek has served on the board of QMI, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the RMS Queen Mary. These efforts reflect her passion for working hands-on with significant cultural resources in the service of historic preservation, a trait that she directly credits for the success of her career.
Dr. Jerabek’s educational background has been equally integral to her professional success, beginning with a Bachelor of Arts in art history from Oberlin College and Conservatory in 1983. Inspired by an influential professor during her undergraduate studies who encouraged her interest in architectural history, she pursued a Master of Arts in architectural history from the University of Virginia in 1985. That same year, Dr. Jerabek was certified in historic preservation from the same institution. She obtained a Master of Architecture in history, theory and criticism, and European and American architecture from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture in 1991. Subsequently, Dr. Jerabek earned a PhD in modern art and architecture, history, and theory and criticism from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2005. Her scholarly contributions include her dissertation and master’s thesis, both of which received high praise and showcase her deep engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications within her field.
A further sign of her commitment to her area of study, Dr. Jerabek has been active with several industry-related organizations. She maintains active membership in the Society of Architectural Historians, the Santa Monica Conservancy, the Los Angeles Conservancy and the American Institute of Architects. She has additionally served on the education committee for the California Preservation Foundation since 2025.
Well-regarded for contributions to the field, Dr. Jerabek has been recognized with numerous accolades. Among others, she received the Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation in 2012; the Westside Prize for the Dunbar Hotel Rehabilitation Project from the Westside Urban Forum in 2014; the Westside Design Award for the Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square Project from the Westside Urban Forum in 2014; the Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation in 2016; an Award of Merit for Best Rehabilitation Project as part of the Pacific Coast Builders Conference Gold Nugget Awards in affiliation with the California Building Industry Association in 2020; the Preservation Design Award for Reconstruction from the California Preservation Foundation in 2023; and the Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation from the California Preservation Foundation in 2024.
Known for her generosity, accessibility, supportiveness, diligence and discipline, Dr. Jerabek is widely regarded by colleagues as a dependable and dedicated leader. In the years ahead, she is committed to giving back by supporting aspiring professionals entering careers in architectural history and preservation. Dr. Jerabek hopes to ensure that future generations benefit from her depth of experience and unwavering devotion to excellence.