Michelle LaRue is a wildlife ecologist originally from the American Midwest who has recently relocated to the South Island of New Zealand. Focusing on the broad-scale spatial ecology of several charismatic species, LaRue has studied penguins and seals in the Antarctic and the phenomenon of cougar range expansion in North America. Science communication is one of her passions, and you can find her on Twitter talking about conservation and running the popular Twitter game #CougarOrNot on Fridays. Twitter: @DrMichelleLaRue