Marie received a B.Sc. in Microbiology from University College Cork (1997) and a Ph.D. in Virology from Trinity College, Dublin (2001). Following a research role in microbiology and cell culture, Marie transitioned to GMP manufacturing, with roles in E.coli-based fermentation, purification and aseptic processing. Marie moved to the Eli Lilly & Co. Viral Safety group in Indianapolis in 2007 and has since transitioned to the biotechnology commercialisation centre in Kinsale, Ireland, with responsibility for product protection initiatives across the Lilly network.