"My role allows me to shape the science systems, spaces and practices that underpin world-leading marine research. I am driven by a passion for continual improvement and research integrity, and I am constantly questioning how and why we do things so we can work more efficiently, more sustainably and with the highest standards of rigour and responsibility. "
Dr Rachael Rees is PML’s Science Facilities Manager, where she leads the strategic development and operational excellence of the organisation’s science facilities. With responsibility for a 14 strong team of laboratory managers, Rachael ensures that PML’s equipment, laboratories and scientific activities are capable of delivering innovative, environmentally responsible and world-leading marine research.
A member of PML’s Senior Leadership Team, Business Continuity Team and four of the organisation’s strategic groups – Operational Excellence, Science, Technology and Impact, Environmentally Responsible Research, and People & Culture, Rachael plays a central role in shaping how PML delivers safe, sustainable and high impact science.
Rachael is PML’s Science ISO Lead, overseeing the integration and continual improvement of PML’s ISO accredited management systems, including Quality (ISO 9001), Health & Safety (ISO 45001) and Environment (ISO 14001). As a trained Lead Auditor, she is responsible for directing PML’s internal audit programme and ensuring robust legal H&S compliance across research activities, driving a culture of excellence, accountability and continual improvement.
As Science Health & Safety Advisor and NEBOSH trained professional, Rachael leads the implementation of robust and forward thinking safety practices that protect people and the environment.
Rachael joined PML in 2016 as an analytical chemist and gained her PhD developing a technique to extract oxygenated volatile organic compounds from seawater using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. She has participated in 4 research cruises.
Rachael has a vast experience of analytical chemistry spanning a 25+ year career in both GLP and ISO accredited laboratories, a foundation that has deeply shaped her commitment to scientific rigour and fuels her passion for research integrity.
Key Projects
Leading the successful integration of PML’s ISO-accredited standards (ISO9001, 45001, 14001).
Transforming laboratory management across PML by introducing a cohesive, modern and efficiency driven system that enhances scientific quality, safety and environmental responsibility.
Development of Science Facility Charges to enable scientists to more accurately cost their research in proposals.
Reshaping PML’s procurement policy to embed stronger financial, social and environmental considerations, ensuring more responsible and strategically aligned decision making.
Selected Publications
Airs, R., Beale R, et al. (2022) Seasonal measurements of the nitrogenous osmolyte glycine betaine in marine temperate coastal waters. Biogeochemistry, 162:309-323.
Beale R and Airs R (2016) Quantification of glycine betaine, choline and trimethylamine N-oxide in seawater particulates: Minimisation of seawater associated ion suppression. Anal. Chem. Acta. 938, 114-122. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2016.07.016
Beale R, Dixon JL, Smyth TS, Nightingale PD (2015) Annual study of oxygenated volatile organic compounds in UK shelf waters. Marine Chemistry 171, 96-106. doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2015.02.013
Beale R., Johnson M. T., Liss P. S., and Nightingale P. D. (2014) Air-sea exchange of marine trace gases, in Treatise on Geochemistry; Volume 6: The oceans and marine geochemistry, Second ed., doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-095975-7.00603-3.
Beale R, Dixon J. L., Arnold, S. R., Liss, P. S., Nightingale, P. D. (2013) Methanol, acetaldehyde and acetone in the surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean. J. Geophys. Res.Oceans, 118, doi:10.1002/jgrc.30322.
Beale R., Liss P. S., Dixon J. L., Nightingale P. D. (2011) Quantification of oxygenated volatile organic compounds in seawater by membrane inlet- proton transfer reaction / mass spectrometry. Anal. Chem. Acta. 706, 128-134. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2011.08.023
Beale R., Liss P. S., Nightingale P. D. (2010) First oceanic measurements of ethanol and propanol. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L24607. doi:10.1029/2010GL045534
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