Michelle Pasawicz is the Manatee Rules Coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Much of her work involves establishing regulatory protections, engaging stakeholders, community outreach, and data analyses primarily focused on the conservation of Florida’s State Marine Mammal. Michelle grew up in urban New Jersey where she dreamed of one day migrating south and protecting wildlife in a tropical and coastal environment. She took a pit-stop in Delaware for a dual-degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Ecology and then continued on her mission to the Sunshine State. Michelle then received a Master of Science in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University and worked for several years in sea turtle conservation and research prior to joining FWC.