Her research considers the microenvironment that surrounds tumors, with a particular focus on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

[citation needed] Gardiner is a postdoctoral fellow at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she works with Edna Cukierman.

Her research considers the microenvironment that surrounds tumors, with a particular focus on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

[2] Gardiner founded JKX Comics,[3] a project that looks to improve science literacy amongst young people.

She was appointed to the American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador, which looks to promote women scientists.