Michelle is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Prevention Science at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is a social epidemiologist, and her research focuses on the impact of financial strain on health behaviors and outcomes, such as receiving screenings and colorectal cancer. Michelle received her PhD in Community Health Sciences from UCLA and her BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
Prior to becoming a researcher, Michelle worked directly with low-income and marginalized communities on economic development in cities both domestically and internationally. It was within these communities where she was struck by the heavy burden of chronic diseases, like cancer. These relationships and experiences deepened her commitment to inform and shape policies to advance health equity so that everyone has the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. Through her research, she aims to generate and translate needed and timely evidence for policy change. Michelle is an affiliate of the UCSF Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (IHPS), a member of the American Public Health Association, and was a Population Reference Bureau (PRB) US Policy Communication Fellow. Michelle is honored to serve on the C4 board and Policy Committee.