Michelle M. Desler, M.S., is a research technologist at the Eppley Institute for Cancer Research at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

In 2002, Desler was a living kidney donor, as are other members of her family. Her mother donated a kidney to Desler's brother (in 1990), and her uncle, Tom Falsey, a member of the OPTN/UNOS board of directors, her aunt, Joyce Falsey, and Tom's brother, Jim Falsey, all have donated a kidney anonymously. In 2005, one of her cousins was a deceased organ and tissue donor.

Desler and her family have appeared on national media, including CBS' "Early Show," "The Jane Pauley Show" and People magazine. She is a frequent spokesperson for organ donation.

Desler earned a master of science degree in animal studies, focusing on growth and development, from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.