Mara joined the Ecology Center in July 2015. She earned her Masters in Public Health and bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a specialization in Health Promotion from Michigan State University. Prior to the Ecology Center, Mara worked as a research assistant for Michigan State University’s College of Nursing, promoting active and healthy lifestyles to adolescents statewide.
Her interest in the connections between climate, energy, and health was peaked while studying abroad in Brazil and saw local health professionals advocating for stronger environmental policies. This interest grew during her time as a Fellow participating in the first cohort of the Ecology Center’s Health Leaders Fellowship.