Biography

Rachael completed her B.Sc. in Applied Meteorology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and her M.Sc. in Geological Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, both in the U.S. Her master's thesis focused on identifying drivers of long-term changes in large-scale tropical circulation patterns (i.e. the Hadley and Walker Circulations), specifically over the Amazon and Congo Rainforests. In 2019, Rachael was awarded the prestigious Scientia Ph.D. Scholarship at UNSW to study flooding rains, droughts, and human security in a changing climate. For her Ph.D. research, Rachael hopes to address current climate modeling limitations for understanding magnified drought-flood cycles in order to improve adaptation and risk management strategies. In addition to furthering her research, Rachael is interested in science communication and outreach. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, sailing, yoga, paddle boarding, and exploring new places.