05/03/2026
You don’t want to miss Study Hall on Tuesday…
Rachael Hoch is a North Carolina native and nature enthusiast, currently spending time between Swannanoa and Raleigh, NC. She spent her early life outside of Raleigh sloshing through creeks, wading in ponds, catching crayfish, fish, and amphibians. She received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biology from Appalachian State University. During her time at App State, she worked on renewable energy projects and biofuels. Between degrees, she worked as a research assistant conducting surveys for freshwater mussels, crayfishes, and fishes throughout the southeastern US. During graduate school, she studied the effects of beaver and manmade dams on freshwater mussels. She joined the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) in 2012 as a conservation technician conducting surveys for mussels, crayfish, and fish in NC. Since then, she has continued to work with the NCWRC, serving as a Conservation Aquaculture Biologist and Coordinator rearing rare aquatic species in Marion, NC and conducting conservation work on imperiled species statewide. Currently, she is the Assistant Chief of Inland Fisheries and program manager of the Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program overseeing the state’s conservation work on aquatic species of greatest conservation need. When not working, Rachael enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, camping, fishing, and hiking.
