Biography

Heather L. Baker is a lead health science policy analyst in the Office of the Director within NCATS’ Division of Clinical Innovation, where she provides project management and analyses for the Division and the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program portfolio. Baker joined DCI in January 2017.

In 2010, Baker joined the NCATS Division of Preclinical Innovation, providing expertise in analytical chemistry for teams working on early-stage chemical development. She joined NIH in 2006 as a research assistant and laboratory manager in the Natural Products Chemistry Section of the Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry at National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, performing research aimed at the discovery, design or synthesis of diverse molecules important to the study or treatment of infectious diseases. Before joining NIH, Baker was employed at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, where she worked on the discovery of marine natural products that are useful in developing improved medicines or as molecular probes to better understand disease. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Florida.

Professional Interests

Baker especially enjoys process improvement and project management, as well as performing analyses of the CTSA Program training portfolio, but she always will retain a fondness for scuba diving and marine natural products research.