# David Baker

> American biochemist and computational biologist (born 1962)

**Wikidata**: [Q3814528](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3814528)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Baker_(biochemist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-baker

## Summary
David Baker is an American biochemist, computational biologist, and university teacher recognized for his pioneering work in protein design and molecular engineering. He is a Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry and a leading figure in the field of computational biology, affiliated with the University of Washington.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 6, 1962
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: University of California, Berkeley; University of California, San Francisco
- **Known for**: Protein design, molecular engineering, computational biology
- **Employer(s)**: University of Washington
- **Field(s)**: Biochemistry, Computational Biology, Molecular Engineering, Protein Design
- **Memberships**: National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

## Contributions
David Baker has significantly advanced the field of computational biology, specifically in the area of protein design. His work involves the development of computational methods to design new protein molecules with novel activities and behaviors. He leads the Baker Lab, which focuses on both the design of new proteins and the advancement of basic understanding of protein function. His contributions bridge the gap between theoretical mathematical modeling and practical biological applications, including in silico drug discovery.

## FAQs
**What awards has David Baker received?**
David Baker has received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology, and the Overton Prize. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

**What is David Baker's academic background?**
He was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. He currently serves as a university teacher and researcher.

**What are David Baker's primary research interests?**
His primary fields of work are protein design, molecular engineering, and computational biology. He focuses on designing new protein molecules to create novel activities and advance the understanding of protein function.

## Why They Matter
David Baker matters because he revolutionized the field of structural biology by moving from merely observing proteins to actively designing them. His work in computational biology and protein design provides essential tools for understanding biological systems, with wide-ranging applications in medicine, including in silico drug discovery and nanotechnology. As a Nobel Laureate and a member of prestigious scientific academies, his research has fundamentally altered how scientists approach the engineering of biological molecules, bridging complex computational science with practical biochemical innovation.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry**: Recognized as a laureate for his contributions to the field.
- **Protein Design Pioneer**: Leader in designing new protein molecules for novel purposes.
- **Computational Biology Leadership**: Significant contributions to data-analytical and theoretical methods in biology.
- **Academic Affiliations**: Long-standing association with the University of Washington and education at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco.
- **National Academy of Sciences**: Elected member of this prestigious science branch.
- **Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology**: Recognized for advancements in nanotechnology research.
- **Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences**: Awarded for recognizing breakthroughs in the life sciences.

## Body

### Personal Background and Identity
David Baker is an American biochemist and computational biologist born on October 6, 1962. He holds citizenship in the United States. He is also identified by aliases including David P. Baker, D. Baker, and Baker D. He is recognized as a human entity and a university teacher, holding a profession that intersects biochemistry, computational biology, and bioinformatics.

### Academic and Institutional Affiliations
Baker's academic training was conducted at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. Professionally, he is affiliated with the University of Washington, where he serves as an employer and faculty member. His professional identity is further defined by his membership in major scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

### Research Fields and Expertise
Baker's primary fields of work include molecular engineering, protein design, and computational biology.
*   **Computational Biology**: He applies mathematical modeling, computational simulation techniques, and data-analytical methods to study biological systems. This interdisciplinary field combines biology, computer science, and statistics.
*   **Protein Design**: He focuses on the design of new protein molecules to design novel activity, behavior, or purpose. This work aims to advance the basic understanding of protein function.
*   **Molecular Engineering**: He engages in the study of molecular properties, contributing to the broader field of molecular engineering.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, David Baker has received numerous prestigious awards:
*   **Nobel Prize in Chemistry**: One of the five Nobel Prizes established by Alfred Nobel.
*   **Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences**: An award recognizing breakthroughs in the life sciences.
*   **Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology**: An award for advancements in nanotechnology research.
*   **Overton Prize**: A computational biology prize.
*   **Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: An honorary fellowship from the United States honorary society and policy research center.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
David Baker maintains a significant digital footprint with various identifiers and profiles across academic and scientific platforms.
*   **Websites**: Official profiles and lab information are available at `https://sites.uw.edu/biochemistry/faculty/david-baker/` and `https://www.bakerlab.org/`.
*   **Wikidata and Wikipedia**: He has a Wikidata ID and a Wikipedia title "David Baker (biochemist)" with 48 sitelink counts.
*   **Academic IDs**: He holds multiple academic identifiers including ISNI (0000000043052944), VIAF (21669458), GND (1344408524), Library of Congress ID (nb2007008454), ResearcherID (K-8941-2012), Scopus Author ID (55463548900), and ORCID (0000-0001-7896-6217).
*   **Other Profiles**: He is indexed in various databases such as Google Scholar (UKqIqRsAAAAJ), Microsoft Academic (2534516), and has identifiers for the Nobel Prize website and other academic repositories.

## References

1. [Source](https://sites.uw.edu/biochemistry/faculty/david-baker/)
2. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-7896-6217/employment/4930922)
3. [Source](http://www.iscb.org/iscb-awards/overton-prize)
4. [Source](https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/science/packard-fellowships-for-science-and-engineering/fellowship-directory/baker-david/)
5. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/press-release/)
6. [Source](https://api.nobelprize.org/2.1/laureate/1039)
7. [Source](https://newsroom.uw.edu/news-releases/biochemist-david-baker-receives-nobel-prize)
8. [Source](https://breakthroughprize.org/Laureates/2/L3892)
9. WorldCat
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. CONOR.SI
12. SciGraph
13. Golden