Dr. María del Carmen Navarro Maldonado holds a Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco (where she received the University Merit Medal), a Master's degree in Animal Production (Sheep and Goats) from FES Cuautitlán at UNAM, and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Reproductive Sciences with Honors from UNAM. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Biology of Reproduction at UAM Unidad Iztapalapa, where she has served for 27 years as a tenured full-time professor, engaging in teaching, research, and cultural dissemination. She is a member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII).

In higher education and academic mentorship, she has taught undergraduate courses across UAM Xochimilco, Iztapalapa, and Cuajimalpa, UNAM-CU, UATamps, UNPA Oaxaca, and BUAP, as well as in the Master's Program in Animal Reproductive Biology and the Doctoral Program in Biological and Health Sciences at UAM Iztapalapa. She has directed graduate theses at UAM-I, UMSNH, and COLPOS Chapingo. In university administration, she served as Alternate Academic Representative before the CBS Divisional Council, Coordinator of the Animal Production Undergraduate Program (2011–2013)—driving the implementation of its updated curriculum, securing plans for the Animal Production Farm, and achieving CIEES Level 2 accreditation—, Head of the Assisted Animal Reproduction Research Area, and Head of the Department of Biology of Reproduction (2013–2017).

Her research framework encompasses two primary lines: Applied Biotechnologies in Assisted Animal Reproduction and Embryonic Development in vivo and in vitro, securing grant funding for frontier basic science from SECIHTI and technology-based projects from the UAM General Rectory. She led the Bighorn Sheep Reproduction and Conservation Program in Mexico (2012–2016) in collaboration with SEDEMA CDMX, and collaborates with UAM Xochimilco, Chapingo, COLPOS, UANL, and FES Cuautitlán UNAM. She completed research stays at UMSNH (Dr. Marco Cajero Juárez's lab) and the University of New Orleans (Dr. Barry Bavister's lab). Furthermore, she transferred mammalian embryo cloning technology to UAM with Dr. Gábor Vajta (Central Queensland University), establishing UAM as the first institution in Mexico to clone domestic and wild sheep and bovine embryos for production and conservation, securing a patent in July 2022 on bighorn sheep preservation. Her scholarly output includes peer-reviewed and science communication publications, books, keynote lectures, national media appearances (Radio Centro, UAM Radio, ADN-40), and the organization of international symposia.