Rachael Smith

Senior Media Officer and Social Media Lead

Rachael is the Senior Media Officer and Social Media Lead at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. With previous experience across the commercial and charity sectors, she works to publicise the incredible work and stories of the Sanger Institute and raise the organisation's global profile through a variety of channels. 

I have always been interested in science, and I believe that science should improve people’s lives, which drew me to the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where every day researchers are pushing the boundaries in genomics and biological data to improve human health and understand life on Earth.

Every day, I work with my colleagues throughout the Institute and our collaborators worldwide to identify newsworthy stories and communicate complex science to a broad range of audiences. This includes using digital and social media channels, as well as working with media outlets and journalists, to help raise awareness of the Institute.

My timeline

• Joined the Communications team at the Sanger Institute as Press Officer

• Press Officer (Research and Health) at Breast Cancer Now 

• Graduated with MSc Science Communication, Imperial College London

• Medical Writer at Hamell Communications 

• Communications Officer Intern at REDRESS 

• Associate Medical Writer (internship to full time) at PCM Scientific 

• BSc degree in Biochemistry from University of Southampton with a year in industry (IBM)