Maya is a Visiting Lecturer at the World Heritage Studies at the University of Tsukuba where she coordinates the activities of the UNESCO Chair on Nature-Culture Linkages in Heritage Conservation. She has been trained as an architect in Peru, and after earning a Master of Media and Governance from Keio University, in Japan, she completed a Ph.D. in Heritage Studies at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, in Germany, focused on the conservation of World Heritage cultural landscapes. Currently based in Kigali, she is senior research fellow at the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda, where she also collaborates as advisor for capacity building and research. She looks at developing a comprehensive approach to heritage conservation.