I taught high school science courses for over 11 years becoming a teacher in 2003 through the New York City Teaching Fellows, a program dedicated to placing individuals from diverse educational and professional backgrounds into New York City public schools. While teaching, I worked in collaboration with biology and environmental psychology Ph.D students through the NSF CUNY GK-12 program to develop ecological and molecular ecology research curriculum as well as critical participatory research methods with environmental science students.

Marissa has been the recipient of many grants to build and maintain a molecular research laboratory for students to design research projects investigating New York City biodiversity using DNA barcoding techniques. Marissa is also the co-founder and Director of Education and Outreach for The Biodiversity Center of Belize, a branch of the Petters Research Institute, dedicated to developing Belizean human capital through STEM research and education. In 2011 Marissa received the Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics, which recognizes creative mathematics and science teachers who achieve superb results and inspire young people to pursue careers in science and mathematics.