Ardith Held

Ardith is a PhD student under the co-advisement of Steve Almo and Betsy Herold. She joined the Almo and Herold labs in 2022 after graduating in 2021 with her BS in Biochemistry from Villanova University, where she developed an interest in biochemistry and structural biology.

Ardith works on a cross-disciplinary effort to characterize a novel kinase-dependent mechanism of HSV-2 entry. Through collaboration with the Almo and Herold groups, she aims to develop improved kinase inhibitors for the treatment of HSV-2 and to further characterize the structural and molecular biology of the HSV-2 entry pathway.

In her free time, Ardith enjoys rock climbing, playing with her dog, Benji, and cooking.