Rachel is the Senior Benthic Ecologist at Geoscience Australia in Canberra. She is involved in research on biodiversity patterns, marine resource management, and impacts of anthropogenic stressors. She is also involved in the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub (as well as its previous incarnations) by providing ecological information needed to help manage Australia’s Commonwealth Marine Reserves. Rachel completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong in 2005 where she studied the effects of multiple stressors on molluscan embryos, as well as their associated chemical and behavioural protection. She then undertook a postdoctoral position at Stony Brook University in New York as a visiting professor where she investigated the effects of harmful algae on commercially important clams. Rachel also has a background in science communication and has an interest in the influence of modern media on the public perceptions of marine science. Rachel attended her first AMSA conference in 2004 and led the scientific committee at the 2014 AMSA conference in Canberra. She is Chair of the ACT Branch of AMSA and joined AMSA Council as a general councillor in 2016.