Field
Location (during time of takeover)
School/Institution
| Undergrad | University of the Philippines Diliman Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Teaching | University of the Philippines Diliman Chemistry |
| PhD | Johns Hopkins University Chemistry |
| Postdoc | Harvard University |
| Teaching | University of California Irvine Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
Featured on December 8, 2024
Can you sense the excitement in the air for our next Pinoy Scientist for the month, Herdeline Ann Ardoña, PhD? An Assistant Professor at the University of California, Irvine Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, materials chemist Herdeline specializes in developing biomaterials, bioelectronics, and biosensors.
Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Herdeline completed her undergraduate studies with a number of accolades. These include the Bank of the Philippine Islands-Department of Science and Technology Science Award, which is given to 30 excellent science and engineering student researchers in the country. She stayed on in the university for a year as an Instructor at the Institute of Chemistry before she began her PhD in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University with a Certificate for Advanced Studies in Nanobiotechnology. While there, she also received the Emmett and Elsie Buhle Fellowship Award for excellent academic performance. She moved to Harvard University after she completed her Doctorate, working as an ACS Irving S. Sigal Postdoctoral Fellow at the Disease Biophysics Group.
Now, Herdeline is at the University of California, Irvine as an Assistant Professor for the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. With numerous publications and a patent under her belt, she heads the Ardoña Research Group where they develop macromolecular-based materials that serve as sensors and modulators for various biological processes. Her extensive work in this field is highly lauded, just this year being named one of 35 Material Scientists Under 35 by Matter, a journal under Cell Press.
Some fun facts about Herdeline:
- She goes by “Digs,” a nickname inspired by her parents’ names, Dinah and Pogs—definitely a nod to her Filipino roots!
- She and her husband met as seatmates in an undergraduate Organic Chemistry class. Today, they both work as faculty members at the same university!
- She once dreamed of becoming an astronaut and remains fascinated by all things related to space!
