Michael Neubert graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and biology, and has been interested in the intersection between these two fields ever since. After receiving his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington in 1994, he came to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a postdoctoral scholar, and is now an Associate Scientist in the Biology Department and Fellow of the Ocean Life Institute. Most of his research uses ecological models that include a spatial component. Using spatial models lets him address important questions in ecology and conservation biology—questions like: What determines how fast a population spreads through a habitat into which it is newly introduced? How much habitat does a population require to persist? or How should one design a system of preserves to protect an endangered species? When not running ecological models, Michael is usually running to the nearest coffee shop.