Rachel Chase

Rachel joined the Alliance’s, then Bioversity International's, Montpellier office in 2013. For 10 years she was part of the Banana Genetic Resources Program where she focused on training, documentation, facilitation and communication for MusaNet (global network for Musa genetic resources). She also worked in the Genebanks Initiative, managing the Field Verification project for the Alliance’s banana genebank.

Following her PhD on the drought tolerance of Ensete ventricosum in Ethiopia, Rachel transitioned into the Digital Inclusion team and is currently a Scientist for Data Science and Knowledge Sharing for the 1000 farms project. The project employs the Triadic comparison of technology options (tricot) citizen science research approach that helps farmers to identify the most suitable technologies for local conditions, engaging them in the testing or validation of new crop varieties and other promising technologies.

Before Bioversity, Rachel primarily worked as an ecological consultant in the USA, England and South Africa. She also spent time in Mali, West Africa with the US Peace Corps. Rachel has a BSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from University of Texas, USA, a MSc in Plant Molecular Systematics from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and a PhD from the University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute and Kew Botanical Gardens, UK.