UC chemistry alumna gives back to community

University of Cincinnati alumna Ann Villalobos was undecided about joining UC's doctoral program in chemistry in 1985.

She had graduated from the University of the Philippines — her home country — as well as the Tokyo Institute of Technology. She was looking for her next academic step when UC's chemistry program caught her eye.

Moving a world away to Cincinnati to further her education took some convincing for Villalobos. But she was intrigued by what the program had to offer.

“I applied to the doctoral program at the Department of Chemistry because the professors collaborate with each other to have more meaningful, integrated research,” she said.

She applid and was accepted to the program. But she still needed a little convincing.

“Because I did not accept scholarship/assistantship right away, (then department chairman) Joseph Caruso wrote to me convincing me that the chemistry program was very good,” she says.

“He also asked a Filipino student enrolled in the program at that time to write to me about the department and the program,” Villalobos says. “I was so amazed by these moves that I accepted the offer right away. I realized that UC Chem takes care of its students, so that means I will really learn and be prepared for the real world.”

Since her graduation from UC’s doctoral chemistry program in 1990, Villalobos has gone on to an award-winning career in research. She has served as a research fellow for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development; a principal scientist for Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho Biotech; and senior scientist for the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute.

Villalobos is a two-time winner of the Johnson & Johnson Standards of Leadership and a recipient of its Diamond Award for significant achievement and consistently outstanding performance. Today, she is back in the Philippines, serving as a consultant and visiting scientist.

“I opted for early retirement in order to give back to the Philippines by helping advance its science, technology and innovation,” she says. Through the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, she has come back through its returning scientist program.

“My first goal was to establish a functional analytical laboratory in Central Mindanao University,” she says. “To start the program right away, and have results in a short time, I donated basic laboratory equipment. Capability and capacity building was my first mission. So, I was giving trainings, workshops, lectures at CMU and other institutions all over the country with students, faculty, researchers, staff and administrators who participated.

“Also, I have research proposal projects getting funding support from different government agencies leading us to have publications, books and the governmental department of Innovation, Education and Communication materials - edible ferns, targeted indigenous plants developed into natural fungicide and medicine studies still ongoing with brighter prospects.”

To encourage young Filipinos to follow her path into science for the greater good, she has sponsored a Science Camp for Kids, now in its second year. It seeks to expose children to science, and educate them about opportunities that they can initiate to give back to their communities, and be champions for their people, she said.

Reflecting on her time at UC, Villalobos said: “My basic knowledge and experience at the University of Cincinnati Department of Chemistry and the relationships with my professors brought me a lot of confidence to be a trouble-shooter when confronted with any problems, and to seek for help when needed through collaborations and teaming,” she said.

Her advice to students considering UC’s PhD in chemistry program?

“Continue to acquire and learn new things and experiences as much as you can, especially in basic science,” she said. “This can prepare you to be a trouble-shooter whatever the challenge is.

“Keep collaborating and be a team player. Solutions to problems today are a result of integrated areas of expertise, rather than a single one.”

Featured image at top: Stylized image of chemistry equipment. Photo/MasterTux for Pixabay.