During her 21-year tenure at OHSU, Rachel built comprehensive programming to support faculty at every career stage—from newly hired assistant professors learning to write their first R01 to senior investigators leading multi-institutional collaborations. She created the Vollum Writing Program, an intensive professional development course that combined grant writing with leadership training, and taught scientific writing courses at the graduate level for more than a decade. Under her leadership, OHSU researchers secured over $500 million in extramural funding. 

Rachel specializes in large, complex federal proposals. She served as lead writer for OHSU's successful Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) and has deep expertise in NIH training mechanisms including K awards and T32 programs. She excels at helping teams develop compelling innovation narratives, eliminate generic language, and position their work strategically within the funding landscape. 

Beyond grant writing, Rachel coaches faculty in leadership and people management. She helps researchers develop the skills to build productive labs, mentor effectively, and navigate the challenges of leading research teams. 

Rachel is a national leader in the research development profession. She served as President of the National Organization for Research Development Professionals (NORDP). She currently serves as Co-President of ARCS Foundation Oregon, which provides scholarships and support for STEM graduate students. 

Rachel has published six books—from Search and Rescue Pacific Coast to multiple editions of the Insiders' Guide to Portland—and has edited more than 200 scientific publications in journals including Nature, Cell, and Journal of Neuroscience. She brings this diverse writing experience to every project, whether crafting a specific aims page or helping an entire team tell their research story.