In 2015, Rachel commenced an Early Career Fellowship using mathematical modelling to study blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections. Prior to that, she completed a PhD, which combined research in epidemiology, phylogenetics, social network analysis and mathematical modelling to study hepatitis C transmission and natural history amongst people who inject drugs. She also worked as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Population Health at the Burnet Institute from 2008 until completing her PhD, working on a range of projects in sexual health and blood-borne virus epidemiology.