Rackel is a lecturer in materials for construction at The University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on the development, characterisation and exploitation of advanced and non-traditional cement and concrete technologies for sustainable infrastructure. She uses a dual background as a materials engineer and civil engineer to draw multi-scale correlations between materials’ microstructure and their mechanical, structural and durability properties. Much of her research is currently used in the European and Australian markets thanks to her close collaborations with the industry and large international network.