
Rachel Updegrove, WELL AP, AIA Associate Member
Architectural Designer and Laboratory Planner
HERA laboratory planners & Thomas Jefferson University – East Falls
Rachel is an autistic woman, adjunct faculty, and lab planner who advocates for neuro-inclusion at all her places of work, so that neurodivergents, students, faculty, designers, and scientists are exposed to more neurodivergent culture and thinking. As a neurodivergent woman, she has spoken and advocated for and with neurodivergent people on regional and global AEC stages, encouraging designers to think beyond stereotypes and consider the needs of people changing.