Maria Perez, PhD in Food Science (Flavour Chemistry) in 2022 by the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM, Spain), MSc in Agricultural Chemistry and Novel Foods in 2015 by UAM, and BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics in 2014 by the Complutense University of Madrid. In 2023, her thesis was awarded by Giract to the Best European PhD Thesis in Flavour Research. Her scientific backgroung is related to investigate the release behaviour of aroma compounds in the mouth during food consumption. 

Since April 2023, she is Auxiliary Researcher in MED. Here she is working in HealthyW8 project, that aim to prevent obesity by taking a multi-disciplinary portfolio approach by combining interventions focusing on diet, physical activity and psycho-emotional aspects. This project has a 5 years of duration, is funded by the European Union (10M€) and in it are involved 24 partners from 9 countries. 

Regarding research contributios, she is co-author of 15 peer-reviewed articles published in Q1 journals, has presented various works in international and national symposiums, has been involved in research and technological projects, and participated in international collaborations (e.g. with Plant&Food Research, New Zealand; University of Quilmes, Argentina)