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Prior to joining the basic sciences communications team, Ayanna was the summer 2018 communications intern at the American Public Health Association, where she produced social media content, assisted with the Get Ready emergency preparedness campaign and wrote news and blog articles for The Nation's Health and Public Health Newswire, respectively. In spring 2019, she completed her master's internship at the Center for Program Integrity at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, where she assisted with digital projects and writing promotional materials.

Ayanna received a B.S. degree in nutritional sciences from Howard University in May 2017 and a M.P.H. degree from the University of Maryland in May 2019.

In this role, she is responsible for writing about the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences (IBBS) and coordinating media coverage of the institute's research. Previously, Rachel worked with the team as an IBBS science writing intern, where she wrote press releases and stories for Fundamentals, the basic science e-newsletter. She also worked as a media relations representative before beginning her current job. Rachel graduated in May 2016 from the University of Pittsburgh, where she received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, with a minor in chemistry, and a certificate in public and professional writing.

Her team oversees media relations, digital publications and social media channels relating to basic science research. She holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and a master's degree in business administration. Previously, she managed media relations and web projects at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, covering laboratory and clinical research news, as well as social media. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and an emeritus member and former chair of the Public Affairs and Marketing Network of the nation's top cancer centers.