Michelle Beck
Senior Associate
Michelle Beck, PhD, works in natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) and has a strong background in wildlife ecology and environmental toxicology. She has substantial experience designing and executing large-scale field and laboratory studies to assess the effects of contaminants on wildlife, which has resulted in 31 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Beck leverages this expertise when conducting analyses and advising clients. She routinely uses habitat and resource equivalency analysis to quantify injury to natural resources, scale restoration projects, and estimate damages. She provides technical support at complex hazardous waste sites including emerging and legacy contaminants as well as oil spills. Her expertise also includes the use of radiological modeling programs to address injuries to biota. This work encompasses diverse habitats and taxa, from sea turtles to songbirds to sediment-dwelling invertebrates. Dr. Beck works with diverse stakeholders, including federal, state, and tribal clients and supports cases through both mediation and litigation. She is a skilled project manager who coordinates the efforts of colleagues and subject matter experts to address client needs.
She holds a B.S., magna cum laude, in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Appalachian State University, a Master of Science in Biology from Auburn University, and a Doctorate in Zoology from Washington State University. Her graduate and post-graduate research focused on avian ecology.