She received a dual-PhD in Geography and Women’s Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. Melissa’s research centers on the social and spatial implications of urban redevelopment in Beijing, China–paying particular attention to the ways in which shifting urban and economic policy prompts a reformulation class identities and gendered divisions of labor. She teaches courses on human, cultural, urban and feminist geographies, as well as courses on contemporary China and geopolitics. Melissa integrates digital video essays, podcasts, blogs and other digital technologies into her courses.