Rachel Fischer, Ph.D.

Rachel Fischer, PhD, serves as the Associate Director, Scientific Program & Registry at the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA). She currently manages MRA’s research grants program, and is responsible for the development and management of RARE, a registry for patients with acral and mucosal melanoma. In addition, she creates and supports the development of written products, and coordinates MRA’s Annual Scientific Retreat. Rachel joined the MRA in 2019 with more than 7 years of experience in biomedical research.

Rachel received her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas and earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University. During graduate school, Rachel focused her studies on glaucoma, a condition of the eye, and the physiology of the cells that form the optic nerve. While at Vanderbilt, she also served as the VP of Communications for the Pharmacology Graduate Student Association. Additionally, she worked with the Health Research Alliance as the Members’ Meeting Program Coordinator and served as a Tennessee Advocacy Intern for the American Heart Association. Prior to graduate school, Rachel worked as a Junior Scientist at the University of Minnesota, studying the neurobiology of drug addiction.