Maria obtained an MSc and then PhD in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham.

Following this, she moved to the University of Oxford for a brief period, before moving back to the University of Birmingham to take up the role of Research Infrastructure Manager in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences in 2014, managing the scientific facilities and co-ordinating H&S for the Environmental Science research groups.  

In 2018 Maria moved to the School of Chemistry as Technical Manger. Realising a passion for the chemical safety aspects of this role, Maria took up her current role in the central health and safety team at the University of Birmingham as Health and Safety Advisor (Research – Hazardous Substances) in 2019, where she provides campus-wide, specialist advice in hazardous substances, physical agents and laboratory processes and equipment.

Maria Joined the UCSF Management Group in 2024.