Rachael Gallagher is a leading researcher in ecology and conservation.

She has extensive expertise in spatial analysis of biodiversity, threatened species management, applied field ecology and conservation decision making. Her team has delivered several key decision support tools for the NSW Saving our Species Program, including for the strategic planning for fire and climate change impacts.

She led the “National prioritisation of Australian plants affected by the 2019-20 bushfire season” for the Commonwealth Government (DAWE) for which she was awarded the 2020 NSW Premier's Prize for Early Career Research (Biological Sciences).

She has published more than 120 scientific articles, book chapters and government reports.