In 2005 Michelle was appointed as an Associate Professor in Biochemical Medicine at The University of Warwick, subsequently being promoted to Full Professor.

Her first degree from London University (Royal Holloway College) was in Medical Biochemistry after which she worked in the routine Clinical Chemistry department at St Helier Hospital before taking up a research position at Charing Cross Hospital Blood Pressure Unit. She transferred with the Unit to St George's Hospital Medical School in October 1989 and completed her part-time PhD 'Biochemical Regulation of Intracellular Calcium in Essential Hypertension' in 1995. In 2004 she took up a research position at University College London investigating 'Genes, Society and Health' before moving to the University of Warwick in 2005.

She was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators in 2011 (FHEA equivalence). She was awarded Fellowship by distinction of the Faculty of Public Health (FFPH) in 2011, Fellowship of the American Heart Association (FAHA) in 2013 and Fellowship of the British Hypertension Society (FBHS) in 2015. She is a member of the European Sleep Research Society and co-chairs the Research Committee of the British Sleep Society (BSS).

Currently Michelle works part time and leads the Sleep Health and Society Research Programme and Chief Investigator for the NIHR funded FOUND trial. And Prinicpal Investigator of the Professional Footballer's Association funded Sleep and Sleep Disturbances in Professional Football players study. Michelle is also a member of various scientific committees including the BSS Executive Committee.