Maria earned her combined Bachelor degrees in Nursing/Arts and Masters of Health Science from The University of Sydney and then held nursing positions at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in the areas of cardiology and surgical oncology.  A desire to be part of a cure for cancer led Maria to pursue a career in clinical research and clinical trials.

In her role as MIA Head of Clinical Trials, Maria led a team of clinical trial nurses and science graduates responsible for the coordination of surgical, medical and radiation clinical trials at The Poche Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She also worked on the development of adjuvant systemic therapy trial protocols investigating the use of targeted and immunotherapy treatments following and preceding complete lymph node dissection for Stage III metastatic melanoma.

Maria is currently MIA's Director - Clinical Care with her role overseeing Clinical Trials, Clinical Nurse Consultants and the National Melanoma Nurses Program.