Michael is the founding director of Ocean Conservation Research, a scientific research and policy development organization focused on understanding the impacts of, and finding technical and policy solutions to the growing problem of human-generated ocean noise pollution. He is a technical generalist conversant in physics, acoustics, biology, electronics, and cultural history, with a gift for conveying complex scientific and technical issues in clear, understandable terms.

He comes from a long pedigree of mariners – his Grandfather became a cabin boy at 14 in 1890 to become a Sea Captain just after the Spanish American War, and later the Chief Harbor Pilot for Swatow (Shantou) harbor, China. His father was born on an island in the Han River Delta and was in his own sailboat at the age of 5 years. Michael’s family spent much of their “leisure time” on the water sailing and fishing off the coast and in the inland waters of California – bringing Michael into the embrace of the sea.

Studying marine biology, physics, and signal processing, Michael has written and spoken about marine bio-acoustics issue since 1992, presenting in international, national, and regional hearings, television, radio, and news publications, and in museums, schools, and universities.

His book titled “Hear Where We Are: Sound, Ecology, and Sense of Place” is published by Springer . The book reveals how humans and other animals use sound and sound perception to establish their placement in their environment, and communicate that placement to others