Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Maria obtained her PhD in 2011 from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands. During her PhD, she studied neural cell differentiation in zebrafish embryos. When she moved to Toronto, she first worked as a postdoc at U of T where she developed high-throughput genetic screens combined with phenotype-based selections to identify bioactive ubiquitin-based protein binders (ubiquitin variants) that affected key processes associated with malignant cell behaviour.0
In the Ellis lab Maria investigated the proteome and ubiquitome profile of patient-derived cells during neurodevelopment and in Rett syndrome neurons.
Maria enjoys quiet long walks in the parks of Toronto and outdoor activities with her family and friends.