Michelle Trautwein

Michelle Trautwein is a Researcher in the Department of Entomology at the California Academy of Sciences. Her work focuses on understanding the evolutionary relationships between humans and arthropods, particularly through studies of household arthropod biodiversity and face mites. She leads global citizen-science initiatives like the 'Arthropods in Our Homes' project and the 'Seven Continents Study,' which explore human-arthropod coexistence across ecosystems.

Her research emphasizes how human behavior influences arthropod evolution and vice versa. Notable projects include analyzing the genetic diversity of face mites to trace human migration patterns, revealing insights into Homo sapiens evolution. Trautwein bridges science communication and fieldwork, advocating for biodiversity awareness in everyday environments.

Through collaborations with museums and academic institutions, she integrates molecular biology, ecology, and anthropology to address questions at the intersection of human activity and arthropod adaptation.