Maria holds a B.S. in Dietetics from UW–Stout, a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona, and an MBA in health care management from Viterbo University. She completed a Medical Nutrition Therapy–focused dietetic internship at Carondelet Health System and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in the Endocrine Research Unit with Dr. Michael Jensen.

She is an Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Dietetic Internship Director at Viterbo University, an Adjunct Professor at Saybrook University, and a Registered Dietitian for Nourish. She is also the founder of Dr. Maria’s Nutrition and Wellness. Her research interests include obesity and weight management, inflammation, insulin signaling, cardiometabolic health, and women’s health.