Maria is from Seal Beach, CA and attended UC Davis where she worked in the lab of Ala Moshiri studying retinal genetics and photoreceptor diseases. At Davis she became very interested in neurobiology and development. After graduating, Maria was drawn to work in the Mackenzie Lab because of the research investigating fetal development and molecular therapies. Her projects focus on developing fetal gene therapies for Angelman Syndrome and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She is interested in continuing this work as a physician scientist in the future. Outside of the lab she enjoys playing soccer and exploring San Francisco.