Dr. Rachel Pollard attended the University of Washington in Seattle for her undergraduate work and Washington State University for her DVM. She then moved to New York for a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center. Dr. Pollard then came to UC Davis and completed a four-year residency in diagnostic imaging. She then completed a PhD in Comparative Pathology at UC Davis, and joined the faculty in April 2005.

Dr. Pollard is a Professor of Diagnostic Imaging. Her areas of research focus primarily on quantitative imaging techniques using both contrast enhanced computed tomography and contrast enhanced ultrasound to evaluate tumor blood flow. Additionally, she has a clinical interest in dynamic imaging techniques such as contrast fluoroscopy for the diagnosis of swallowing disorders.