Mariluci (Toloza) Bladon was born in Brazil. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Catholic University. She was awarded the International Fulbright Fellowship for her Graduate studies in the United States. She received her MS in biology from the University of Pittsburgh and her PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan. Her post-doctoral work in Human Genetics was done at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center and Harvard Medical School. She worked as both an Adjunct Professor in Human Genetics at Northeastern University and the Biotechnology Industry (Dupont, Genentech and Matritech) for a total of 10 years. Dr. Bladon was brought on to teach at the onset of the first Biotechnology Program at Middlesex Community College, where she has taught for over 30 years and now serves as Chair for Biotechnology Department. Many graduates of the program now serve in leadership roles at biotechnology companies throughout Massachusetts.