Director of Undergraduate Studies, Neuroscience and Behavior Major

Professor Michael is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Neuroscience and Behavior major in the College of Science.  She received her B.S. degree in Biomedical Science from Western Michigan University in 2001.  After spending many years in the workforce, she returned to graduate study in 2008 and earned Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota in 2012.  Professor Michael uses her disciplinary expertise to develop and implement NEAR (neuroscience, epigenetics, adverse childhood experiences, resilience) science approaches that aim to mitigate the impact of toxic stress on individuals and communities.  Her research uses a community-based change theory model to work with community organizations in developing population specific NEAR-based strategies to support organizational and community efforts in becoming trauma-informed.