Rachael's research interests include regenerative medicine for the intestine and how the microbiota influence repair of the intestinal epithelium. The majority of her research has used the gastro-intestinal tract as an organ-system to research immunology, microbiology and cancer biology pathways.

Her research focuses on intestinal epithelial cells and their interactions with immune cells, cytokines and bacteria. Specifically, she is interested in a group of proteins named Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) which are natural, endogenous inhibitors of inflammation and cancer