Althea Gaffney received her B.A. in Chemistry from Swarthmore College. Althea then worked for DuPont in Central Research & Development—Materials Science first researching lithium-ion batteries then serving as Chief of Staff for Materials Science. She then earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania studying new methods for inhibiting transmission of HIV.
Throughout her career, Althea has worked to promote science outreach through Expanding Your Horizons, the Philadelphia Science Festival, and as a board member for Activities for Community Education in Science.