CDR Rachel L. Werner received a Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2009, a Master of Science in Oral Biology from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in 2014, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Science from Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai in 2022.

CDR Werner began her Naval career in 2005 when she was sworn in as an Ensign in the Dental Corps and proceeded to Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, RI, before beginning her dental training.

After graduating dental school in May 2009, CDR Werner immediately began her first operational tour as a Dental Officer at 2nd Dental Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC, where she subsequently earned a Fleet Marine Force Officer qualification. In 2010, she was accepted for her first Duty Under Instruction (DUINS), and a year later, proceeded to Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD, to begin a three-year Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology residency.

In 2014, she successfully graduated and was awarded First Place, International College of Dentists Research Award, as well as the prestigious Dental Corps Chief's Award for Excellence. She subsequently performed 18 months of post-residency training in Head and Neck Pathology at the Joint Pathology Center, Silver Spring, MD, during which time she successfully challenged the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

In 2016, CDR Werner reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA, as a Staff Head and Neck Pathologist, Laboratory Department, where she also served as Division Head, Surgical Pathology Division, as well as Course Director for all postgraduate Head and Neck Pathology education provided to ENT, Oral Surgery, and Pathology residents. At this time, she was accepted for a second DUINS, and in January 2022, completed her PhD in Biomedical Science with a focus in Cancer Biology, receiving a Distinction in Research Award at the time of graduation. After earning her PhD, CDR Werner was assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, where she currently serves as the Deputy Chief Science Director and a Principal Investigator in the Directed Energy Health Effects Directorate. In addition, she continues to maintain her pathology expertise as a Staff Pathologist at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, TX.

Personal awards CDR Werner is authorized to wear are the Navy Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second, third awards) and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.