Ardoña Will Present Materials Research at American Chemical Society Symposium 

April 24, 2025 - Herdeline Ardoña is one of 24 early career investigators selected by the American Chemical Society’s division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) to present their research at the Early Investigator (EI) Symposium in August in Washington, D.C.  

The PMSE EI Symposium highlights the professional accomplishments of early-career investigators who are emerging leaders in the field of polymer science and engineering, across academia, industry and national labs.  

Ardoña, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, leads a team of undergraduate and graduate students who utilize and build upon fundamental chemistry, biophysics and engineering concepts to address biomedical challenges. She also works to cultivate STEM opportunities aimed toward leveling the playing field for those coming from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds. 

At the symposium, Ardoña will speak about her efforts to develop polymeric materials that can control or monitor the activity of heart cells, particularly those capable of using light to pace cardiac contractions. 

“I am honored to join this cohort of individuals identified as emerging leaders in the field of polymer science and engineering,” Ardoña said. “I am proud that my research team's work here at UCI, particularly the interdisciplinary approaches that we are introducing to the polymer science and engineering community, is being recognized.” 

– Cassandra Nava