Maria Dziubinski

What is your name? Where were you born? Where did you go to college?

My name is Maria Dziubinski, and I am born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. I am a product of the Ann Arbor Public School system. I currently live in Plymouth, Michigan with my partner. I went to Washtenaw Community College and transferred to University of Michigan after a year, where I earned my degree in Biopsychology, Cognitive, Neuroscience (BCN). After I graduated, I worked in a medical office as a receptionist before getting into research!

What interests you about the ABCD Study/research?

I have always loved working with children, so when I saw a study that was on child development I had to apply! I used to work as a Registered Behavior Technician, and there I discovered how amazing and important childhood development was. The ABCD Study is one of a kind, every day we are learning something new, so it is awesome to be a part of that.

How long have you worked in the department and what does your work focus on / what area do you work in?

I have been working in the Psychiatry Department since November 2020. I started as a part time research assistant working with participants, administering surveys, neurocognitive tasks, and collecting biological samples. As time has gone on, I have transitioned into more into a leadership role as the ABCD Study Coordinator. In this role I have been able to gain valuable experience in managing a team, learned about budget management and a lot of the background work that goes into having a successful research project.

What are your plans after ABCD (grad school, etc.)

My next goal is to attend grad school and earn my MBA in Healthcare Management. I am really interested in the business side of healthcare, things like sharing expertise and guiding healthcare organizations to make business decisions that promote growth and benefit their customers and patients. I am also interested in research administration, through my time at ABCD I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of study management and would like to use these skills in the future.

Fun fact about yourself! What are your hobbies?

A fun fact about myself is that I graduated high school a year early. Some of my favorite hobbies include spending time in nature. I love being outside whether it’s riding around on the boat in the summer or skiing in the winter. I am also a big runner so anytime its nice enough out, I will likely be running and exploring trails nearby.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a family cat named Pebbles who has been with my family since 2010. She is my fluffy princess. My partner and I also recently got a shorkie puppy named Frankie! He is the cutest and most energetic little guy. We love him so much! 

What’s your favorite food or restaurant?

I am a huge foodie. I love trying new places and have a few favorites! The Ledger in Plymouth is an awesome restaurant for special occasions. I also really love Bellflower in Ypsilanti, they change their menu almost everyday so its really exciting to eat there to see what the chef has in store. One of my all-time favorite places in Ann Arbor is Knights.