She completed her Ph.D. at Columbia University in New York under the supervision of Dr. Robert A. F. Thurman. Michelle has spent five years traveling, studying, and doing textual and ethnographic research in Asia. As well as giving numerous conference presentations and invited talks nationally and internationally, Michelle has published articles and book chapters on historical and contemporary Chod philosophy and practice. She is currently working on two book projects, one on Machig Labdrön and the development of the Chöd tradition in Tibet and another on the intersections of gender and religious traditions.