Michael Allen

Michael Allen has a diverse range of work experience in the field of environmental science. Michael has held multiple positions at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, including Associate Director for Research and Administration and Assistant Director for Research. In these roles, they have been responsible for managing research grant portfolios, overseeing contracts and grants management, and leading various programs and initiatives.

Prior to their time at the University of Maryland, Michael worked as a Research Policy Analyst for 2020 Company, LLC, where they led projects for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Michael also served as a Knauss Sea Grant Fellow at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where they focused on coordinating research efforts and facilitating communication between headquarters and laboratories.

Before their government and research policy roles, Michael gained research experience as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Their work in this role involved studying plankton communities in man-made lakes and presenting their findings at scientific conferences.

Michael's educational background includes a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Illinois. Their dissertation focused on limnology, life history trait evolution, and metacommunity theory, with an interest in public policy.

Michael Allen completed their Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Ecology at Penn State University from 1999 to 2003. Michael then pursued further education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where they earned their PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from 2003 to 2009.