Her research focuses on environmental policy design, and how understanding decision-making processes can lead to more effective policies. She also studies the relationships between health and natural resource management in developing countries, and ways in which resources can be better managed in the face of disease epidemics. Prior to joining the faculty at NYU, Maria spent two years as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. She has also served as the Staff Economist for Environment and Regulation at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and has worked as a research analyst at the World Bank's Office of the Chief Economist for Latin America.