40 Facts About David Baker

David Baker the Poet

David Baker, the poet, has made a significant impact on American literature. His work captures the essence of the Midwest and the human experience.

1. David Baker, the poet, was born on December 27, 1954, in Bangor, Maine. He was raised in Missouri and has spent more than forty years of his life in the Midwest.
2. Baker received his degrees in English from Central Missouri State University before earning a PhD in English from the University of Utah in 1983.
3. His first collection of poems, Laws of the Land, was published by Ahsahta/Boise State University in 1981, followed by Haunts in 1985.
4. Baker has published several collections of poetry, including Scavenger Loop (2015), Never-Ending Birds (2009), and Swift: New and Selected Poems (2019).
5. He is also the author of three books of criticism: Radiant Lyre: Essays on Lyric Poetry (2007), Heresy and the Ideal: On Contemporary Poetry (2000), and Meter in English: A Critical Engagement (1996).
6. Among Baker’s awards are fellowships and prizes from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, the Poetry Society of America, Society of Midland Authors, and the Pushcart Foundation.
7. A resident of Granville, Ohio, Baker is currently a professor of English and the Thomas B. Fordham Chair of Creative Writing at Denison University, where he serves as poetry editor of The Kenyon Review.
8. Baker writes with a distilled, distinguished attentiveness that only the finest poets can reliably command. Marilyn Hacker has called him “the most expansive and moving poet to come out of the American Midwest since James Wright”.
9. His poetry often explores themes of the Midwest, small towns, and the human experience. His work is characterized by its lyricism and depth.
10. Linda Gregerson praises Baker’s poetry for its attentiveness, saying, “He writes with the distilled, distinguished attentiveness only the finest poets can reliably command”.

David Baker the Novelist and Playwright

David Baker, the novelist and playwright, has a diverse background that influences his writing. His works often explore themes of identity and culture.

11. David Baker, the novelist and playwright, was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent his childhood in the northwest corner of the Valley. He grew up in Hawaii and has also lived in Utah, New Mexico, and briefly in Indiana.
12. Baker has an A.A. in theater, a B.A. in English, and an M.A. in linguistics. He began his writing career with a one-act play titled “Inside Al,” which won the Henry Fonda Young Playwright Award and premiered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
13. Baker wrote his first novel, “Haole Boy,” a fish-out-of-water story about a white kid clashing with a Polynesian gang in Hawaii. The book won an honorable mention in the Avon-Flare Young Novelist Contest.
14. Baker’s main creative outlets include music, both instrumental and a cappella singing. He performed with various small and large a cappella groups, enjoying some success in regional barbershop competition with his quartet Equinox.
15. Baker’s family moved to Utah in 2012, marking a new period of creative vigor. During this time, he began writing young adult fiction and started doing musicals as a family. Their first big production together was “Annie,” in which Baker played Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.
16. Baker runs over 2,000 miles per year and tries to complete at least one race per month. He has run full and half marathons, as well as a few 50K races. In 2019, he ran his first Boston Marathon with a finish time of 3:20:35.
17. Baker has worked extensively with children’s theater productions and still treads the boards from time to time. His favorite thing lately is constructing impressive sets, props, and costumes for local productions.
18. Baker’s writing style is diverse, ranging from young adult fiction to plays. His novels often explore themes of identity, culture, and coming-of-age experiences.
19. Baker’s work is influenced by his diverse background, which includes growing up in Hawaii and living in various parts of the United States. His experiences have shaped his writing, making it rich in cultural and geographical details.
20. Baker’s family has been supportive of his creative endeavors. His children have been involved in musicals and theater productions, fostering a creative environment at home.

David Baker the Biochemist

David Baker, the biochemist, has revolutionized the field of protein design and folding. His research has led to significant advancements in biochemistry.

21. David Baker, the biochemist, was born on October 6, 1962, in Seattle, Washington. He is the son of physicist Marshall Baker and geophysicist Marcia (née Bourgin) Baker.
22. Baker graduated from Seattle's Garfield High School and earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1984. He completed his doctorate in biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 1989.
23. Baker is primarily known for developing computational methods for predicting and designing the structures and functions of proteins. He has authored over 600 scientific papers and has been a key figure in the development of the Rosetta algorithm for ab initio protein structure prediction.
24. For his work on protein folding, Baker has received numerous awards, including the Overton Prize (2002), the Sackler International Prize in Biophysics (2008), the Wiley Prize (2022), and the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the category "Biology and Biomedicine" (2022).
25. For his work on protein design, Baker has received the Newcomb Cleveland Prize (2004), the Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology (2004), and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2021). In 2024, he was awarded half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on protein design.
26. Baker is the director of the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design. His group has developed the Rosetta algorithm, which has been extended into a tool for protein design, and has competed in the CASP structure prediction competition, specializing in ab initio methods.
27. Baker has co-founded several biotechnology companies, including Prospect Genomics, Icosavax, Sana Biotechnology, Lyell Immunotherapeutics, and Xaira Therapeutics. In 2017, his institute received over $11 million from Open Philanthropy, followed by an additional $3 million donation in 2021.
28. In April 2019, Baker gave a TED talk titled "5 challenges we could solve by designing new proteins" at TED2019 in Vancouver, Canada.
29. Baker’s research focuses on developing computational methods for predicting and designing protein structures. His work has led to significant advancements in the field of biochemistry, particularly in protein design and folding.
30. Baker’s contributions to biochemistry have been groundbreaking. His work on protein design has led to the development of new proteins with novel folds, which has potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.

David Baker the Jazz Musician

David Baker, the jazz musician, has left an indelible mark on the world of jazz. His contributions as a musician, composer, and educator have shaped the genre.

31. David Baker, the jazz musician, was active in the jazz community as a musician, composer, educator, conductor, and author. He began his music career on the trombone in the early 1950s but was forced to switch to the cello due to an accident to his jaw. He returned to playing the trombone by the early 1970s while continuing to play the cello.
32. Baker became a distinguished professor of music at Indiana University and chairman of the Jazz Department in 1966. He published in numerous scholarly journals and wrote several musical treatises. He has more than 2,000 compositions, 500 commissions, 65 recordings, and 70 books on jazz and African-American music to his credit.
33. Of all the NEA Jazz Masters, Baker was one of the most active as a college and university educator. His contributions to jazz education have been significant, shaping the next generation of jazz musicians and composers.
34. Baker’s impact on jazz education is profound. He has influenced countless students and musicians through his teaching and compositions.
35. Baker’s work as a composer and musician has earned him numerous accolades and recognition in the jazz community.
36. Baker’s compositions often blend traditional jazz elements with innovative techniques, creating a unique sound that has influenced many jazz musicians.
37. Baker’s dedication to jazz education has led to the development of numerous educational programs and resources for aspiring jazz musicians.
38. Baker’s influence extends beyond the classroom, as he has also contributed to the broader jazz community through his performances and recordings.
39. Baker’s legacy in jazz music is marked by his commitment to both performance and education, making him a revered figure in the jazz world.
40. Baker’s contributions to jazz have left a lasting impact on the genre, inspiring future generations of musicians and educators.

The Impact of David Bakers

David Bakers have left a lasting mark in poetry, biochemistry, and the arts. Each has excelled in their field, bringing innovation and creativity. The poet David Baker captures the essence of the Midwest with his lyrical works, earning numerous awards. The novelist and playwright David Baker explores themes of identity and culture, enriching young adult fiction and theater. The biochemist David Baker revolutionizes protein design, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology and medicine. Their dedication and passion inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with the same vigor. Whether through words, scientific discoveries, or artistic endeavors, the legacy of these David Bakers continues to influence and inspire. Their stories remind us of the power of creativity, perseverance, and the impact one individual can have on the world.