While at UCLA, Michelle studied abroad in Germany, and was inspired to pursue environmental science and policy. Subsequently, Michelle worked on an organic farm and taught English in the Ecuadorian Andes, contributed to a sustainable development NGO in Lagos, Nigeria, and at an environmental policy nonprofit in her hometown of Sacramento. During graduate school at UCSB, Michelle studied the impacts of organic management practices on greenhouse gas emissions using field and lab techniques, followed by a Ph.D. focus on environmental science and justice in Brooklyn middle and high schools. Michelle has worked with young people in varying capacities, influenced policy, authored articles, and given many community and conference talks emphasizing the importance of merging science with knowledge from those most impacted by decisions. Michelle has also worked in the fields of data science, engineering, and marine biology. Michelle is advanced in Spanish, proficient in German and French, and is constantly learning other languages, such as Yoruba, Arabic, and Portuguese. Michelle is a musician and a sailor, and has previously led student programs in Iceland and Switzerland.