Rachel E. Diner

Rachel E. Diner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on the impacts of pollution and environmental change on host-microbe systems, particularly in aquatic environments, using marine and freshwater animals like oysters as model organisms. She integrates fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and computational approaches, with a strong emphasis on high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing datasets.

• Education
• B.S. in Biology, University of Georgia
• J.D. in Coastal Environmental Law and Policy, University of San Diego School of Law
• M.S. in Marine Biology, San Francisco State University
• Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

Dr. Diner's research interests include ecotoxicology, aquatic animal microbiomes, marine pathogens, environmental change, aquaculture, and food safety and security. Her work seeks to apply microbial insights to solve environmental challenges, such as bioremediation and coastal restoration, while improving public health.

Her recent publications highlight trends in microbial responses to pollution, host-microbe interactions in aquatic systems, and environmental genomics. Key themes include understanding how microbiomes mitigate pollution, track pathogens, and adapt to climate change.

Dr. Diner is committed to mentoring and providing science access to underrepresented groups. Her lab includes undergraduate researchers and focuses on fostering an inclusive academic environment. She also emphasizes collaborative research and welcomes prospective students and postdocs.