Michelle Sims is a GIS Research Associate with Global Forest Watch (GFW). Her primary research projects include developing machine learning models to classify drivers of forest loss, mapping natural lands for zero-conversion target setting, and contributing to GFW's living report on forests, the Global Forest Review. She also contributes to the WRI's State of Climate Action report and Systems Change Lab, focusing on land-based measures to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Previously, Michelle worked at a non-profit called EcoAgriculture Partners in Washington, D.C., on programs that used integrated landscape management to improve environmental, economic, and social outcomes in biodiversity-rich agricultural landscapes. Prior to that, she worked for at a non-profit called Pueblo a Pueblo in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, managing a project that aimed to strengthen the economic security of coffee farmers through beekeeping and honey production.

Michelle holds a B.A. in International Relations and Spanish from the University of California, Davis and an M.S. in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley. Her Master's research used remote sensing and geospatial modeling to analyze land use change and habitat connectivity in the Northern Coast of Honduras.

In her free time, Michelle enjoys backpacking, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors.