Maria (Zen) Abeleda, Ph.D., M.D.

Zen is a Patent Technical Specialist in the firm’s Intellectual Property group. She performs technical evaluations for patents in the life sciences industry, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics. Zen brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective to issues involving life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and emerging medical technologies. Her experience spans clinical practice, academic research, and legal roles supporting patent strategy and technology commercialization in highly regulated industries.

Zen earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the genetic relationship between the complement system, chronic renal dysfunction, and retinal diseases. Her research experience includes work in human and mouse genetics, particularly in diagnostics, genotyping, genomic profiling, and cell culture. She analyzed genetic data using statistical methods and specialized software and performed a wide range of gene and protein analysis techniques. She has also coauthored research publications in the fields of genetics and immunology.

Following her doctoral studies, Zen completed postdoctoral research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she conducted research involving mouse embryonic stem cells and neural cell regeneration. Her work included cell culture, genetic techniques, and immunoassays. In addition to her scientific training, Zen also holds a medical degree and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from institutions in the Philippines.

Before earning her law degree, Zen completed a master’s degree in Philosophy and a graduate certificate in Bioethics at Indiana University Indianapolis. Her academic background in science, medicine, and bioethics ultimately led her to pursue a law degree. She later earned her J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she also received certificates in Intellectual Property Law and Health Law.

While in law school, Zen was active in the Intellectual Property Student Association and the Health Law Society. She participated in the USPTO National Patent Application Drafting Competition for Law Students and gained hands-on intellectual property experience through roles at Eli Lilly and the Indiana University Innovation and Commercialization Office. Those positions provided her with exposure to patent prosecution, innovation strategy, and the commercialization of pharmaceutical and health-related technologies. She also trained in patent prosecution through the school’s Intellectual Property Law Clinic, offering pro bono legal services to inventors and entrepreneurs.

In addition to her law degree, Zen holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Iowa, an M.D. from the UERM Medical Center, a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines Diliman, and an M.A. in Philosophy and a graduate certificate in Bioethics from Indiana University Indianapolis. She is fluent in Filipino. Her admission in Indiana is pending.