Michelle Sims is a Geospatial Research Scientist with Global Nature Watch (GNW), where she works on Earth observation-based global forest monitoring. Her primary research focuses on using deep learning to map global drivers of forest loss. She also works on mapping forest types, natural lands, and conversion of natural lands to other land uses. She conducts geospatial analyses for various WRI research products, including WRI's annual data release on global tree cover loss, GNW's living report on forests, the Global Forest Review, and WRI's State of Climate Action report and Systems Change Lab.

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.