Maria's interest in nutrition started in the 10th grade. Growing up in Ecuador in the 80s, it was a fairly new and fascinating area of health. She moved to the States to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and graduated with honors at East Carolina University, then moved to Atlanta to complete her Dietetic Internship with Emory Hospitals. She developed an interest in Diabetes while working in her local Health Department and started to see the frequency of Diabetes in pregnancy and insulin resistance in children. She joined a local practice as a Diabetes Educator and has now dedicated all her time at improving management of the condition and helping patients decrease risk through behavior and lifestyle changes, addressing all aspects of health, such as sleep, stress, and access to technology. She obtained her Certification for insulin pump training and management. She has worked extensively in the past 7 years along side endocrinologists and family providers to support medication management and deprescription for patients with Diabetes, as well as supported patients in the start of the new Anti-obesity medications.