Rachel Sender

Rachel Sender, PhD, currently serves as an Associate Editor at Optica since November 2023 and has been a Science Communicator at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute since February 2023. Previously, Rachel held the position of Lead Science Communications and Media Specialist at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, where the communication strategy was led and complex scientific concepts were translated for general audiences. Rachel's journalism experience includes writing and editing for scientific advancements at Ampersand - Washington University from June 2022 to May 2023. Academic qualifications include a PhD in Physical and Biological Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis, along with a Master of Arts in the same field from the same institution and a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. Prior roles also include customer service and lifeguarding positions.