Michelle started her higher education at the University of Reading where she received a BSc (Hons) Zoology. While working as an aquarium technician at the University of Sheffield, Michelle decided she wanted to pursue a career in research and decided to follow her interest in conservation genetics which had developed during the final year of her undergraduate. This led to her completing her MSc Conservation Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Michelle then joined Edge Hill University for the first time in 2015 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD student where she worked on the population genetics of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia).

After receiving her doctorate in late 2019, Michelle remained at Edge Hill as an associate tutor throughout the pandemic, taking a lead role in the organisation and implementation of online assessments.

In 2022, Michelle moved to Writtle University College as a Lecturer in Animal Science (Genetics). This post revived her earlier love of vertebrates and she brought this back with her when she returned to Edge Hill as a Lecturer in Ecology in 2023.

Michelle is a long-time member of the Ecological Genetics Group (EGG) and is part of the committee. She regularly attends the EGG annual meeting and the annual meeting of the British Ecological Society either as a SIG representative for EGG or as a speaker.

Michelle contributes to teaching across all years with a focus on ecology and genetics:

She is module leader for:

• Genetics and Evolution (SCI1116)
• Zoo Conservation & Animal Behaviour (SCI2017)
• Biodiversity Planning & Legislation (MCM4003)

She also contributes to the teaching or supervision of students on:

• Research Methods in Biology (SCI2308)
• Applications of Genetics (SCI3014)
• Dissertation (SCI335X and MCM4001)

Michelle is also part of the flying faculty who deliver the Diploma in Biology at Chongqing Normal University. In this capacity she teaches student across a range of modules and leads Research Methods in Biology (SCI2308_CQ)