Ballarín studied under José Manuel Blecua Teijeiro, Francisco Ynduráin Hernández [es], Fernando Lázaro Carreter, and other prominent philologists.

Though Marco gave a well-received speech in the Cortes to support her, Ballarín was ultimately defeated in the leadership contest by Santiago Lanzuela.

She held this role until 2006, when she was appointed Regional Minister of Science, Technology and University by Marcelino Iglesias, the president of Aragon.

[4] In 2007, Ballarín was indicted by the Superior Court of Justice of Aragon [es] following allegations of workplace harassment.

The complainant was a secretary at the Social Council of the University of Zaragoza who was unlawfully fired in 1995 and was legally reinstated to her position in 2005.

In 1995, Ballarín was awarded the Centenary Medal by the International Olympic Committee, and she served as a member of UNESCO-Aragon.