Mariel obtained her first degree in Chemistry from Galway in 1990. At the same University she studied for her Ph.D. in the area of carbohydrate chemistry. After obtaining her Ph.D. in 1995 she worked at the University as analyst/researcher developing high performance anion exchange chromatography. In July 1995 Mariel joined the pharmaceutical company Pinewood Healthcare as Validation Coordinator. In 1996 Mariel joined Quest International (Ireland) as Hydrocolloids Process & Product Development Chemist. While in Quest Mariel worked in various areas including galactomannan development and carrageenan factory development. Mariel joined Cybercolloids in 2003.