María has a background as a scientist with a PhD in Life Sciences from the University of Barcelona. After completing her PhD, she began a journey into the intersection of science and art at the Waag Society in Amsterdam, where she worked as a lab technician for artists and designers in the fields of bioart and biodesign.
Since 2016, María has been a researcher at KASK & Conservatorium. Her main research interest is in sustainable colour production and application within the arts.
In her first project, The Colour Biolab, she explored sustainable alternatives to synthetic inks and dyes, including bacteria and microalgae as colour sources.
Her current research project, Ecology of Colour, done in collaboration with the designer Heleen Sintobin, aims to bridge nature and art by dissecting the bases of structural colour generation and translating them into applicable and sustainable materials. With this goal, she works closely with professional artists and designers to explore the aesthetics and sensoriality of the colors generated.
In parallel to her role as researcher, she is responsible for Laboratorium, the experimental lab for art, design, and biotechnology at KASK & Conservatorium, where students and researchers can explore materials and methods from the scientific field in their artistic practices.