# Ellen S. Baker

> American physician and astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q264460](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q264460)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_S._Baker)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ellen-s-baker

## Summary
Ellen S. Baker is an American physician and NASA astronaut who served as a crew member on spaceflight missions. Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 10 in 1984, she represents the intersection of advanced medical practice and human space exploration. Her career is defined by her dual expertise in medicine and aerospace, contributing to the United States' space program.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 27, 1953
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Educated at Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University at Buffalo (specific degrees not detailed in source).
- **Known for**: Serving as a NASA astronaut and practicing as a physician.
- **Employer(s)**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); affiliated with Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University at Buffalo.
- **Field(s)**: Medicine, Aerospace (Astronautics)

## Contributions
Based strictly on the provided source material, specific details regarding published papers, patents, or specific mission names are not listed. However, her primary documented contribution is her selection and service as a crew member within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She was a member of NASA Astronaut Group 10, selected in 1984, which marks her formal entry into the astronaut corps. Her professional background includes work as a physician, contributing to the medical field prior to or alongside her spaceflight career.

## FAQs
**What is Ellen S. Baker's professional background?**
Ellen S. Baker is a dual-professional who works as both a physician and a NASA astronaut. She holds affiliations with major medical and academic institutions, including Cornell University and the University at Buffalo.

**When was Ellen S. Baker selected as an astronaut?**
She was selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 10 in 1984. This group selection marked the beginning of her tenure as a crew member of a spacecraft under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

**Which institutions has Ellen S. Baker been affiliated with?**
Her career includes affiliations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University at Buffalo. These institutions span the fields of space exploration, biomedical research, and higher education.

**What is the significance of her birth date and nationality?**
Born on April 27, 1953, Ellen S. Baker is a citizen of the United States. Her nationality aligns with her service in the U.S. space program and her education at American universities.

## Why They Matter
Ellen S. Baker matters as a representative of the specialized workforce required for human spaceflight, specifically bridging the gap between medical science and aerospace engineering. As a physician-astronaut, she embodies the critical need for medical expertise in space missions, ensuring crew health and safety during operations. Her selection in 1984 places her within a pivotal era of NASA's history, contributing to the continuity of the American space program. Her career highlights the United States' capability to train and deploy professionals with diverse, high-level technical skills for complex space missions.

## Notable For
- **NASA Astronaut**: Selected as a crew member of a spacecraft in 1984.
- **Physician**: A professional who practices medicine, contributing to the medical field.
- **NASA Astronaut Group 10**: A member of the astronaut class selected in 1984.
- **Academic Affiliations**: Associated with Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University at Buffalo.
- **American Space Program**: A citizen of the United States serving in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Ellen S. Baker was born on April 27, 1953. She is a citizen of the United States, a country located primarily in North America. Her educational background includes attendance at several prominent institutions. She is educated at Cornell University, a private and statutory land-grant research university in Ithaca, New York. She also holds affiliations with Weill Cornell Medicine, the biomedical research unit and medical school of Cornell University located in New York City. Additionally, she is associated with the University at Buffalo, which has campuses in and around Buffalo and Amherst, New York.

### Professional Career and Affiliations
Baker's professional life is defined by her dual roles in medicine and space exploration. She is employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the American space and aeronautics agency established in 1958. Her occupation is listed as both a physician and an astronaut. As a physician, she practices medicine, a profession with a significant global presence. As an astronaut, she serves as a crew member of a spacecraft, a role that involves commanding, piloting, or serving on space missions. Her career path reflects a deep integration of medical expertise with the demands of spaceflight.

### Astronaut Selection and Service
A defining moment in her career was her selection for NASA Astronaut Group 10. This group of astronauts was selected in 1984. Being part of this group signifies her qualification to serve as a crew member of a spacecraft. This selection places her within the lineage of American space explorers who have contributed to the nation's space program. Her role as an astronaut is a key component of her identity, distinguishing her as a member of the human species who has traveled beyond Earth's atmosphere.

### Institutional Connections
Throughout her career, Ellen S. Baker has maintained connections with major academic and research institutions. She is affiliated with Cornell University, which was founded in 1865 and employs over 11,000 people. Her connection to Weill Cornell Medicine, established in 1898, highlights her background in biomedical research and medical education. Furthermore, her association with the University at Buffalo, founded in 1846, underscores her ties to the academic community in New York. These affiliations support her work as both a physician and a scientist.

### Identity and Classification
Ellen S. Baker is classified as a human being, a member of the unique extant species *Homo sapiens*. In the context of knowledge bases, she is an instance of a person with specific identifiers such as the Wikidata ID Q378820. Her citizenship is the United States, a federal presidential constitutional republic. She is recognized in various databases with specific identifiers, including the Library of Congress Control Number (n2002136591) and the VIAF ID (43668240). Her professional identity is firmly rooted in the United States, where she has pursued her education and career in both medicine and space exploration.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013