Racheal graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Management and Sustainability. Throughout her studentship she volunteered with the National Trust as a Ranger working on woodland restoration projects on East Dartmoor in Devon, and with Natural England surveying lichen communities in ancient woodlands as part of a ‘Resilient Rainforest’ project. Through these experiences Racheal developed her interest in tree health and sustainable management of woodlands.

Racheal joined Forest Research in 2022 as a Research Worker (Tree Health) to deliver field-based support to the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS) team in their work to detect and monitor tree health, pests and diseases.