Zona Hildegarde S. Amper is Full Professor of Anthropology at the University of San Carlos, and Director of its Center for Social Research and Education (CSRE).

She earned her Ph.D degree in Anthropology in 2012. Her research endeavors focus on local community perspectives on various aspects of society and culture, ranging from corn production, upland farming, water use, mangrove planting, shell trading, religious practices, ethnomedicine, among others. As an anthropologist, she always highlight and emphasize that local communities have their own knowledge, skills, and practices that are attuned to their contexts amid globalization.

Her recent research endeavors and publications are on intangible cultural heritage, indigenous peoples, farming systems, island life, as well as on the dynamic complexities of urbanization, health, and environment in contemporary societies. She has been involved in research and community extension with the Sama-Bajau community in Cebu City for the past 15 years.