BAKER HEART AND DIABETES INSTITUTE
Research Field: Heart Disease
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disease in Australia and
worldwide, causing one death every 12 minutes in Australia.
Rachel’s research focuses on preventing heart disease by examining the damage to
blood vessels (vascular ageing) in at risk populations, which can be identified before
overt heart disease is apparent. Heart disease has its roots in childhood, and her
research focuses on preventing premature vascular ageing through healthy lifestyle
behaviours from early life.
Rachel is active in community engagement and advocacy through her roles on the
High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia Executive Committee, where she
is responsible for an annual event called Pressure Wise, and the Australian
Cardiovascular Alliance. Rachel regularly engages with media, school students to
promote science and spearheaded the Keep it Moving campaign to encourage the
community to keep active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rachel completed her PhD at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania in
2016 and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Baker Heart and Diabetes
Institute.