DNAngels is proud to honor Rachel Dworkin as our Volunteer of the Month for May 2025!
Based in Southern California, Rachel joined DNAngels as a Research Assistant in July 2024 and has quickly become a standout member of our team. Whether lending her expertise in the Research Assistance Room or working alongside Search Angels on active client cases, Rachel brings consistency, intelligence, and a genuine passion for helping others find their biological truth.
Recently, Rachel stepped up to take the lead on several orphaned cases—situations where the original angels were no longer available. These cases are often emotionally delicate and complex, but Rachel handled them with tenacity and grace, navigating challenging DNA puzzles with quiet determination.
Rachel’s dedication caught the attention of several teammates, including fellow Research Assistant Shannon Watson, who nominated her for this recognition:
*“Rachel and I trained on the same first case together, and from the get-go she taught me new skills (like how to look people up in the LoC white pages!). More recently, I had the chance to assist her on a particularly challenging orphaned case. Despite a number of unusual circumstances and limited DNA matches, Rachel stayed focused and determined.
She didn’t give up when things got tough—she kept digging, following every possible lead. Her persistence led to a breakthrough that opened up an entire side of the family tree. Rachel is smart, skilled, and tenacious!”*
Her Team Lead, Rachel Kiley Trout, echoed those sentiments:
“Rachel Dworkin is very attentive and helpful in the Research Assistance Room and consistently contributes as a reliable Research Assistant on client cases.”
Rachel’s path to DNAngels is as fascinating as her research. Before joining the world of genetic genealogy, Rachel worked in the film and television industry, supporting producers, directors, and actors, some well known, and others up-and-coming. Fun fact: she even wrote an episode of the cult hit Supernatural during its first season!
Later, Rachel stepped away from the industry to raise her family and now works as a substitute teacher. Her interest in true crime, particularly the case of the Golden State Killer, sparked her curiosity in genetic genealogy. That curiosity led her to complete the Forensic Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program at the University of New Haven, and she’s been solving DNA mysteries ever since.
Rachel’s creativity, perseverance, and eagerness to learn make her a joy to work with and a powerful resource for our team. She embodies the spirit of DNAngels, and we’re so proud to celebrate her this month.
Please join us in congratulating Rachel Dworkin, our May 2025 Volunteer of the Month!
