Dr. Rachel Baker

Assistant Professor and Robins Family Professorship of Engineering Chemistry
Department of Chemical Engineering, Cross-Appointed to the Department of Chemistry, Queen’s University 
Email: rachel.baker@queensu.ca

Dr. Rachel Baker joined Queen’s University as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering in July 2023, with a cross-appointment to the Department of ChemistryBefore joining Queen’s, Rachel completed a  Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology under Dr. Karthish Manthiram. Her research here focused on mechanistic investigation of organic electrochemical systems. Rachel completed her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Lautens, and earned her Bachelor’s in Engineering Chemistry at Queen’s University. Her PhD work involved the development of dearomative rhodium-catalyzed cyclopropanation reactions from cyclopropenes, and the synthesis of imidazothiazole compounds for the control of parasitic nematodes.

Rachel’s research is investigating how electricity can be used as a renewable energy source, and greenhouse gases can be captured and used as sustainable building blocks to improve the carbon footprint of manufacturing paints, pharmaceuticals, plastics and other valuable chemical products. Her early impact on the scientific community has earned her a place on 2025 Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Science, Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40, and the 2024 John Charles Polanyi Prize in Chemistry from Ontario’s Universities. As the Robins Professor, she is strengthening the relationship between Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and providing valuable leadership to the Engineering Chemistry program. Beyond academics, Rachel is deeply engaged in outreach and advocacy for diversity in STEM. She participates in many public engagement events, including Science Rendezvous and Go Eng Girl, inspiring young minds to explore careers in science and engineering.

                               

Graduate Students

Dante Flores
 MASc student, Chemical Engineering
Amanda Pacholczak
 MASc student, Mining Engineering
Co-supervised by Dr. Charlotte Gibson

Undergraduate Students

James Czerkawski

2nd year, Engineering Chemistry

Co-supervised by Dr. Kevin De France

Abby Haramis

3rd year, Chemistry

Nolan Mol

2nd year, Engineering Chemistry

Clara Whittle

3rd year, Chemistry

Co-supervised by Dr. Philip Jessop

Nyah Tripp

2nd year, Biochemical Engineering

Archana Aralikatti

2nd year, Biochemical Engineering

Alumni

  • Spencer McCluskey, BASc student, Engineering Chemistry (summer researcher and undergraduate thesis student, 2024-2025)
  • Amelia Waterhouse, BASc student, Engineering Chemistry (summer researcher, 2024)
  • Taegan McGuire, BASc student, Chemical Engineering (process stream, summer researcher, 2024)
  • Alexandra Romain, BASc student, Engineering Chemistry (undergraduate thesis student, 2023-2024)
  • Leah Chesney, BEd/BSc student, Chemistry (undergraduate thesis student, 2023-2024)
  • Sam Fahrngruber, BASc student, Chemical Engineering (biochemical stream, undergraduate thesis student, 2023-2024)
  • Namratha Gudigunti, MEng student, Chemical Engineering (research course, winter 2024)
Scroll to Top