Mariana started her research career in the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) where she qualified with a BSc in Chemistry. During her time at the University she had the opportunity to work as an undergraduate researcher for three years.
In the first year she was awarded a one year CNPq Fellowship to work in the Biocolloids laboratory of the Chemistry Institute (2010-2011). The research involved the application of bio surfactants and peptides in the development of new antibiotic formulations. After that, she was awarded a two year FAPESP Fellowship in the Advancement Nanomaterials Design Laboratory of the University (2011-2013). Her research in this laboratory was focused in novel metallic nanomaterials for catalysis applications.
During her time at nanomaterials laboratory she was awarded with an Academic Merits fellowship to undertake a three months Internship at Indiana University, USA, working again with nanomaterials.
Before completing her degree, she was awarded with a one year scholarship to study at the university of Birmingham as an exchange student (2013-2014). During her time in the UK she also undertook a 5 months R&D Internship at the Procter and Gamble Innovation Centre in Newcastle, working in the Fabric and Home care division.
Mariana is now a PhD student at the university of Birmingham supervised by both Prof. Zhibing Zhang (School of Chemical Engineering) and Prof. Jon Preece (School of Chemistry).