Gerardo Aldana

Gerardo Aldana is a Professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley and UC Irvine, respectively, followed by an A.M. and Ph.D. in History of Science from Harvard University. His postdoctoral work focused on archaeological research in Mesoamerica. Aldana’s research explores Mayan hieroglyphic history, Mesoamerican art, experimental archaeology, science studies, culture theory, and indigeneity. His work bridges the gap between ancient scientific practices and modern interdisciplinary studies, particularly in astronomy and cultural interpretation.

Key research areas include the Dresden Codex Venus Table, Mayan calendar systems, and the interplay between astronomy and political history in Mesoamerica. He has published extensively, including Calculating Brilliance: An Intellectual History of Mayan Astronomy at Chich’en Itza (2022) and The Apotheosis of Janaab’ Pakal (2007). His work has been featured in venues such as the Journal of Astronomy in Culture and Archaeometry. Aldana also engages in STEM outreach, designing culturally relevant programs to attract underrepresented groups to computer science.

He has delivered lectures and presentations on topics such as Mesoamerican cosmology, the role of Venus in Maya astronomy, and the impact of conquest on cultural knowledge. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his contributions to Mesoamerican studies and science history are widely recognized. Aldana advises on projects like the Mayan Hieroglyphic Astronomy Collaboratory and collaborates on interdisciplinary initiatives, including agent-based modeling frameworks and cultural preservation efforts.