Mariana is the Engagement Programme Lead at the Academy of the Near Future, a smart city education programme. In charge of facilitating workshops focused on smart and sustainable cities while empowering young learners to co-create their city of the future. She holds a BSc in Biotechnology Engineering and a MSc in Biotechnology and Business.

Currently, she is designing and delivering a Youth Advisory Panel to create a direct dialogue between youth and government, together designing a more smart, sustainable and accessible Dublin for all along with co leading in the other programmes. Mariana is a science communicator passionate about STEM, advocacy, leadership and technology,  always eager to take on new challenges.