Michelle is a Ph.D. student in the Geography Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her current research investigates how community garden management affects neighborhood social structure and soil health, with an emphasis on the comparison between racially segregated urban neighborhoods. Michelle graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Commination Studies and a minor in Geography and Environmental Studies. Michelle completed her Master’s degree in the UCSB Geography Department, during which she analyzed the effects of compost application rate on greenhouse gas emissions, and the climate policy implications of farmer soil management.

Grants, Awards, and Distinctions:

2015 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Award
2015 American Geophysical Union Travel Grant
2015 UCSB Earth Research Institute Summer Fellowship
2015 UCSB Coastal Fund, Major Funding Award
2014-2015 UCSB Faculty Research Assistance Program Award
2014 UCSB Earth Research Institute Summer Fellowship
2014 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention
2014 UCSB Grad Slam, Finalist