Michelle joined the Kumar lab as a research assistant in 2021.  After 20 years of working as a research assistant and data manager in environmental fields ranging from toxicology to climate change to forest ecology, she is returning to her educational roots in animal behavior. Michelle will be assisting with a variety of behavior-related projects including juvenile play, novel object response, and phenotyping behavioral response to drugs.

Originally from Maryland, Michelle has lived in Maine raising her family for 16 years. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, baking and reading.

Michelle moved back to the Shaw Institute in July 2022.