Ciara Juan

Featured on February 19, 2023

Taking over this week is Ciara Juan, a PhD student in Exercise Biochemistry at Ulster University in the United Kingdom.

Ciara graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She then pursued a Master’s in Human Movement Science – Exercise Science (Research) at UP’s College of Human Kinetics.

In 2021, Ciara was awarded a PhD scholarship by the Department of Science and Technology—enabling her to pursue further studies in the UK. As a doctoral researcher, Ciara’s thesis is exploring the relationship between epigenetics and aging.

A few fun facts about Ciara:

1. She’s a natural bodybuilder, which means she doesn’t use steroids, but she also doesn’t win against non-naturals. (She’s always in the Top 5 though which is good enough for her). 
2. She worked as a full-time fitness coach and manager while doing her MSc in Exercise Science in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman during the pandemic. 
3. She went to UP College of Law and Department of Psychology before carving her own path as a scientist.