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Hi, I’m Dr. Michelle Gilbert, Teaching Professor in Biology at Penn State University, where I get to combine my love of evolution, development, and storytelling—both scientific and artistic. My research dives into how new traits emerge and old ones persist, with a special focus on skeletal variation and craniofacial development in fishes. I earned my Ph.D. at UMass Amherst working with Dr. Craig Albertson, exploring how genes and environments shape the architecture of life.

Beyond the data alone, I’m a science artist with a passion for photographing animal skeletons—capturing the elegance of biology in ways that spark wonder and conversation. My work has been featured in exhibitions and scientific publications, bridging the gap between data and design.

When I’m not teaching or tinkering with imaging rigs, you’ll find me building aquariums, gaming, cooking up something cozy, or hanging out with my wife and our cat, Loki (who has strong opinions about Zoom meetings). I believe science should be inclusive, creative, and a little bit magical—and I try to bring that spirit into everything I do.