Melissa joined the U-M Water Center in 2025 and works at the intersection of water resources and public health. She has conducted research on issues ranging from arsenic exposure and drinking water in southeast Michigan to water safety perceptions and beverage intake among university students. Her most recent work has examined relationships between proxies of water insecurity and dietary outcomes in the US. Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Melissa is a proud U-M alumnus whose work is driven by a deep connection to the Great Lakes. Melissa earned her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and her BS from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (now SEAS). Additionally, she holds a Master of Environmental Science (Water Resources) and a Master of Public Health (Environmental Epidemiology) from Yale University. In addition to her work with the water center Melissa is an intermittent lecturer in the School of Public Health.