Maria has more than 13 years of experience in programme and project management, specifically focused on international development and gained by working on a huge range of programmes funded by several donors and development agencies worldwide, like DfID, World Bank, WHO, the UNDP, EC and other governmental agencies and foundations -like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Maria has previously worked at the Overseas Development Institute –ODI- as the programme manager for the Water Policy Programme and the management of the Development Programme grant. She has an academic background in International Studies, high honours degree achieved with the Open University in the UK, as well as business studies. Maria is currently working at LSHTM as Research Programme Manager for the Flagship 5 Improving Human Health, under the CGIAR Programme on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), led by LSHTM and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).