Michelle is a queer latinx naturalist and geoscience professor from Los Angeles. Their paleontological research has focused on extinct land dwelling, plant eating Miocene fauna, while their current projects address diversity in STEM and outdoor equity in Southern California. Along with working in higher ed, Michelle is a cohost for PBS Eons and team member of the Cosplay for Science Initiative. Past projects include working in the education departments of the National Park Service & Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, as well as the paleontology departments of the Florida Museum of Natural History & John D. Cooper Center.