Mariana Campbell is originally from Brazil, where she completed a Bachelor of Science and a Research Masters. She was awarded an Australian International Research Post-graduate Scholarship (IPRS) in 2009 to undertake a Ph.D. at The University of Queensland, studying the Ecology and Conservation of the Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus). She now works at Charles Darwin University as a Research Lecturer, managing the research associated with two Commonwealth Funded Grants. In this role, she engages in laboratory and field work around animal movement but also assists with the administration of the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS). Mariana also lectures two courses in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) for undergraduates and Masters students.

Mariana has worked in animal research and teaching at five universities throughout her career and has over 15 years of experience in animal husbandry. Most of this experience is with reptiles and fish, but she has also worked with amphibians, mammals, and birds. Mariana's primary interest is using animal movement data and other ecological and behavioural variables to aid conservation and management.