Maria is a lecturer and academic/research supervisor. She joined ICHAS in 2021/22 and lectures at Griffith College Dublin.

Maria holds several degrees including Bachelors degrees BSc (Honors) in Psychology, and BSc (Honors) in Human Biology and Physiology; Masters degrees MSc in Physiology and Toxicology, and MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy; and PhD doctoral degree in Inflammation and Immunology, in addition to several diplomas in the area of Biology and Psychoanalysis, and Neurobiology of Behaviour, and is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management for individual and group crisis intervention.

With extensive experience in research and academia, Maria has worked as an Associate Professor in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the School of Medicine in Trinity College Dublin and as a medical researcher in university hospitals. She has published over 120 articles in international medical journals.

Maria has a keen interest as a clinician and researcher in Trauma and PTSD, health psychology, relationships, mental health disorders, and divorce or separation in the family, and is passionate about sharing experience and knowledge with students. She works in Employee Assistance Programmes, work organizations, and in private practice. She is a member of the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapist of Ireland, the Psychological Society of Ireland, and the American Psychological Association.

Maria is fluent in English and Spanish.