Rachel Zimmerman, MSc

Rachel Zimmerman (she/her) is a Senior Research Scientist at the Perry Institute for Marine Science. Born in California, Rachel developed a deep affinity for the ocean at a young age and decided to pursue marine biology as a career. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Aquatic Science from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, Rachel traveled to Australia for an internship assessing population genomics of coral. From there, she went on to study the histology of squid chromatophores and the colonization of Hawaiian bobtail squid with bioluminescent bacteria.

After diving in the Caribbean and witnessing firsthand the decline of corals, Rachel felt compelled to redirect her efforts towards coral conservation. She went on to obtain a Master of Science in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University where she studied the microbiome of coral mucus and the role it played in disease dynamics. Since graduating, Rachel has focused on reef monitoring and coral restoration, which has taken her all over the world to places such as Fiji, Guam, Dominica, and the US Virgin Islands.

Coral is a vital component of reef ecosystems but sadly these organisms face a myriad of threats from climate change. By working at PIMS, Rachel hopes to enhance coral populations by contributing to novel restoration methods and analyzing bleaching and disease data.