Spectroscopy® has named Robert Baker, associate professor at The Ohio State University, the winner of the 2021 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award.
“Robert Baker is a brilliant young scientist and embodies the values and qualities we look for when selecting the Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award winner,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences™, parent company of Spectroscopy®. “His extensive background in the fields of physical chemistry, surface science, catalysis and spectroscopy make him truly deserving of this noteworthy award.”
Baker received his Bachelor of Science in 2007 from Brigham Young University and his doctorate in 2012 from the University of California, Berkeley under the supervision of Gabor A. Somorjai, a pioneer in the fields of surface science and catalysis. Baker then performed postdoctoral research with Stephen R. Leone, an American chemist and the John R. Thomas Endowed Chair in Physical Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley before joining The Ohio State University in 2014.
Baker’s work focuses on understanding electron dynamics in photocatalytic systems using time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy. Understanding these dynamics and how they influence device efficiency is key to making new, high-performance materials. In this work, Baker has designed and constructed a tabletop ultrafast extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray light source. Because X-ray absorption is element specific, this technique can track electron dynamics with site-selective resolution by measuring transient oxidation and spin state changes in real time.
Baker has also published 35 papers in peer-reviewed journals and been an author on more than 70 oral presentations at scientific conferences, including 56 invited talks. In addition to the Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award, Baker has received multiple other awards, including the Benjamin Boussert Memorial Award from the University of California, Berkeley; the Early Career Award from the Department of Energy; the Young Investigator Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research; the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award; and the Journal of Physical Chemistry-Physical Chemistry Division Lectureship Award from the American Chemical Society.
The Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award, awarded annually since 2017, recognizes the achievements and aspirations of a talented young atomic spectroscopist, selected by an independent scientific committee.
For more information on how to nominate a young scientist for the 2022 Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award, click here.
About Spectroscopy®
Spectroscopy® is a multimedia platform dedicated to analytical spectroscopy through peer-reviewed articles, tutorials, web seminars and more. Spectroscopy® aims to enhance productivity, efficiency and the overall value of spectroscopic instruments and methods as a practical analytical technology across a variety of fields. The magazine and its website provide scientists, technicians and laboratory managers with content to help them improve their practice. Spectroscopy® is a brand of MJH Life Sciences™, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.
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Source: Spectroscopy®
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