Rachael Alcala

Rachael is originally from Rancho Cucamonga. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2021 with a BA in Biology. Rachael developed a passion for Ocean and Marine conservation while working with BIOMA. She spent a summer working with Olive Ridley Sea turtles in Costa Rica where she collected data on their nest density and egg clutch. While at UC Santa Cruz, Rachael co-led the newly developed Marine Science Club where she assisted in distributing scholarships geared toward BIPOC students pursuing Marine science.  After graduating, she moved back to Rancho Cucamonga where she worked full time at a cosmetic surgeon’s office. 

In her first year at UC Davis, Rachael served as the secretary of the Diversity Committee and EPROM Coordinator for the Social Committee.  For her practicum, she worked with the SeaDoc Society where she developed a survey and conducted interviews with policymakers on conservation issues of the Salish Sea. In her second year, Rachael worked as a GSR assisting in the development of a framework for incorporating environmental justice into the California Jobs First economic development plan in a partnership with the Sierra institute. She has also worked at NOAA as a Pathways Intern. She has earned specializations in Marine Resources Management and Environmental Justice. Rachael has also served as the Chair of the Social Committee as well as the program’s student representative to the Graduate Student Association.