Maryluz earned her B.A. in Language Teaching from Universidad de Córdoba in Colombia, and her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri. Her dissertation focused on analysis of discourse of the Inclusive Higher Education policy for Indigenous students in Colombia, highlighting the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledges and perspectives to create more inclusive and equitable educational environments. She has also been a teacher and teacher educator working with students from different backgrounds both in Colombia and the USA. During her graduate studies, she participated in the Urban Leaders Fellowship, where she researched and drafted policy briefs on literacy, school discipline, and gender representation, which motivated her interest in science policy and making research accessible for non-academic audiences. As a MOST fellow, she is interested in bridging the gap between science and policy, and is excited to work with legislators in Missouri.
