Maria is a second year M.E.M. student interested in sustainable development and the implementation of renewable energy systems as a climate change mitigation strategy. She is particularly interested in the development of renewable energy projects in developing countries, especially in her home country of Nicaragua. Maria believes an energy transition is not only necessary to combat climate change, but also to empower populations by solving energy security problems.

Most of her professional experience prior to Yale has been focused on conducting policy research at an international level. Maria has done policy research for the Ministry of the Environment in Nicaragua. While working for a Danish NGO, she also conducted energy policy research and contributed to the NGO’s climate change communication efforts.

Maria earned her BA in Environmental Policy from Colby College, Maine.