In the early 2000s Mike worked in a theoretical genetics lab at Missouri State University and created a model for gene interactions based on chaos theory. Years later, working in healthcare education, he attended a genetics conference and, in a lightbulb moment, realized his theoretical model could be applied to understanding many mental health conditions, including autism, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and many others. Building upon that earlier research, he conducted research with a colleague at University of Missouri-Kansas City studying how genetic variations of genes regulating electrolytes, such as calcium and sodium, affect levels of depression and anxiety. His research is currently in review for publishing in a scientific journal. Mike now has his sights set on studying genes that regulate risk and reward behaviors (i.e., addiction) and building upon his chaos theory of gene interaction to understand autism and ADHD. He has also worked with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department in Missouri and created their first HIV rapid-testing policy.