As the NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Repatriation Coordinator, Michael serves as the campus’s official point of contact for tribes and tribal members regarding collaborations under NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA. In this role, he coordinates consultation, repatriation, disposition, and access to Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and cultural items. Michael ensures that UC Riverside strictly complies with the University of California Office of the President’s (UCOP) Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Policy, as well as all associated state and federal laws.

Before joining UCR Library in July 2026, he served as the NAGPRA Program Manager at California State University, San Bernardino and at the Fowler Museum at UCLA as the Archaeological Collections Manager / NAGPRA Project Manager.