As The Nat’s inaugural Exequiel Ezcurra Director of Conservation Biology, Michelle works to transform the Museum’s ability to make direct impacts in our region by forming strategic partnerships and translating science into conservation action.
Arriving by way of the Field Museum, she brings extensive experience conducting multinational expeditions in remote areas of the world and has helped conserve biodiversity-rich areas while working closely with local communities and government officials. Michelle holds a B.S. from UC San Diego, a M.S. from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. from Florida International University.
As head of the Conservation Biology Department, Michelle has led several projects that promote the conservation of both San Diego and the Baja California Peninsula. She can be reached by using our contact form under "Research."
Anna has been involved with The Nat for more than 15 years and currently serves as the Conservation Biology Research Project Manager. During her time at the Museum, she has worked as a field botanist, part-time educator, flat-tailed lizard surveyor, botany volunteer, Canyoneer, and children’s storyteller.
Anna received her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as a M.Ed. from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Anna’s prior research focused on plant physiology, botanical population genetics, and the conservation management of rare plants. For her postdoctoral work, she spent extended periods of time in the arctic gathering data to better understand the impacts of climate change on plants.
Anna’s thrilled to be part of the Conservation Biology team, help lead the Healthy Canyons Initiative, and explore San Diego’s canyons. She can be reached at 619.255.0291 or by using our contact form under “Research.”
Rachel serves as a postdoctoral researcher in the Conservation Biology Department. Her research expertise is in urban wildlife ecology—that is, understanding where, when, and why animals live amongst people and how people and nature can thrive together in cities.
Rachel received her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and has worked primarily with mammals, including coyotes, mice, shrews, and squirrels (her favorite). At The Nat, she runs the camera trapping project for the Healthy Canyons Initiative to better understand the urban mammals of San Diego and is the main coordinator for the San Diego branch of the California Urban Nature Alliance, a consortium of institutions from all over California studying urban nature. She can be reached by using our contact form under "Research."
Frances holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Spanish from UC Santa Barbara and a M.A.S. in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She founded and served as Executive Director of the successful binational nonprofit Ocean Connectors and has led the development of training modules, information and networking resources, and mentorship programs to optimize global ocean education and communication strategies. She teaches continuing education courses at UC San Diego and UC Berkeley Extension and serves on the Board of Directors and as Conservation Committee Chair for the National Marine Educators Association.
As Project Director for Coastal Resilience at The Nat, Frances builds regional knowledge and capacity for conservation planning and habitat restoration, develops nature-based solutions training materials, and collaborates with the conservation biology team and partners to help catalyze conservation action throughout San Diego County.
Kayla holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara and a M.A. in Geography from San Diego State University (SDSU) where she researched community-based elephant ecotourism and conservation in Thailand. While at SDSU, she was also involved with research focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation in San Diego County. Prior to joining The Nat, she worked as a decision-support social scientist at the Hydrologic Research Center, where she collaborated with stakeholders from over 70 countries to develop impact-based early warning systems for hydrometeorological hazards. She currently teaches courses for the Environmental and Ocean Science Department at the University of San Diego.
As The Nat’s Project Specialist for nature-based solutions, Kayla helps synthesize existing research, engage with community members and stakeholders, and develop nature-based solutions capacity in the San Diego region.