Rachael Cronin

Research Technician, Carolina Drone Lab

Biography

Rachael Cronin is a research technician at the Carolina Drone Lab (CARDNL). She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2024. Through her work she developed a love for native plant communities, environmental restoration, remote sensing and sustainable agriculture. Prior to joining CARDNL full time, Cronin worked on their Currituck Sound project as an intern researching machine learning and artificial intelligence driven classification schemes. Her current role is continuing work on CARDNL’s Currituck Sound Project by conducting submerged aquatic vegetation surveys, water quality samples and drone flights, as well as supporting CARDNL’s other research endeavors.

Outside of work Cronin enjoys going to the farmers’ market, live music, cooking for friends, paddleboarding and doting on her niece and nephew.

Education

B.S. Environmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2024