Anna-Maria graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and has been involved in academic research since 2018. She previously worked under Tracie Baker and Aleisha Moore on projects ranging from the developmental and neurobehavioral effects of toxicants in zebrafish to the reproductive neuroendocrinology of mice. Her current work with both Brian McDermott and Ruben Stepanyan focuses on sensory hair-cell biology and mechanosensation in zebrafish and cephalopods, as well as the cellular mechanisms underlying acquired hearing loss in mice.
Originally from Ukraine, Anna-Maria has had the opportunity to live in both Michigan and Ohio. She is an aquarium enthusiast with a love for fishkeeping and aquascaping. Rats hold the title of her favorite pets, though these days she shares her home with her two black cats, Tobias and George.