He completed his PhD in Neuropsychology at Moscow State University, where he worked with Alexander Romanovich Luria. He has been a professor of neuropsychology in various countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Serbia, Chile and Venezuela. Currently Ardila is a Professor at Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA. He is the author of over 400 journal papers and book chapters, and has authored or edited 30 books in the cognitive neurosciences and related areas. He has been president of several professional associations, including the Latin American Association of Neuropsychology, Latin American Society of Neuropsychology, and Hispanic Neuropsychological Society. Currently he is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Neuropsicología, Neuropsiquiatría y Neurociencias.