Maritina completed an architectural degree and professional qualification in Greece. She worked as an architect for almost 10 years in Greece, the United States and United Kingdom, in workplaces of diverse sizes and cultural backgrounds. She has been involved in the design of projects of varying complexity and scale, while also offering pro-bono design services to local low-income communities. Maritina has an MSc in Urban Strategies and Design, and is currently a PhD candidate in Architecture at the University of Edinburgh. Her research is focusing on placemaking theories and their potential to achieve resilience in challenging, critical urban contexts.