MESM 2026
Bio
Michelle Graham graduated honors and summa cum laude from Mercer University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and a concentration in Engineering for Development. During her undergraduate studies, Michelle conducted research related to low-cost, sustainable household energy solutions in low-income communities. She collaborated with Habitat for Humanity (HFH) on several projects in Georgia to reduce the ecological footprint of HFH homes while simultaneously cutting costs for homeowners. Particularly interested in green infrastructure, Michelle worked jointly with the University of Maine's Forest Bioproducts Research Institute to model the impacts of increased consumer demand for sustainable building materials on global and regional forest sectors. After graduation, Michelle worked for 2.5 years at NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, where she focused on community education and outreach. Combining her passion for sustainable development and building resilient communities, Michelle is interested in conservation planning and water resources management. Upon graduation, Michelle plans to work in sustainable infrastructure to develop solutions that empower under-resourced communities in an ever-changing world.