Marayna Martinez studies American politics with a focus on education policy. Her research interests include race and ethnic politics, political behavior, policy feedback, and K12 education policy. She is particularly interested in the feedback effects of public education on the political development of children of color. Her dissertation focused on how high school demographics and school discipline affect the early adult political participation of children of color. 

She received a joint PhD in political science and public policy from Duke University in 2023. Previously, she received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2018.