EMSL Scientist Scott Baker Elected AAAS Fellow

Scott Baker, Functional and Systems Biology Science Area Leader with the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), was recently elected a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The fellowship is the organization’s highest honor. 

Baker was recognized for distinguished contributions to the field of mycology, particularly for fungal biotechnology, genomics, and genetics related to metabolite production, enzyme secretion, and cell morphology. 

AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society. In earning the rank of fellow, which is a lifetime recognition, recipients are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. As a recipient, Baker will receive a certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin to commemorate his election. Additionally, when it is safe and feasible from a public health perspective to do so, he will be recognized at an in-person gathering later this year. 

EMSL Director Douglas Mans said he cannot think of anymore more dedicated and deserving of such a recognition. 

“Scott has been a powerhouse in the fungal sciences community for the better part of two decades, bringing a unique blend of industrial applied expertise alongside basic research in fungal biotechnology,” he said. “His love of the sciences and desire to work with others to bring his expertise to bear on their research to amplify the impact is palpable and a true strength of Scott.” 

In looking back on his career and the connections and relationships he has built in the scientific community, Baker said he is thrilled to be honored as an AAAS fellow. 

“I’m very fortunate to be part of a team that keeps EMSL research at the cutting edge and driving toward exciting scientific discoveries,” he said. “I’m grateful for the support of my family, as well as for all of the mentoring, collaborations, and research projects that have put me in the position to receive this honor.” 

Finding a love for fungal genetics 

Baker’s journey toward his love for studying fungi began more than 20 years ago. As an undergraduate student at Oregon State University, he developed an interest in genetics and how the products of genes control behaviors or other traits. 

“I was intrigued by the connection of genes and phenotypes, and even more interested in how a phenotype could be changed by a mutation in a gene,” he said. “Since then, I’ve continued to learn how a multitude of factors play into the relationship between genes and phenotypes—the multiple layers of complexity make it even more interesting to me today.” 

After his PhD experience at Northwestern University, Baker studied cell adhesion in fruit flies at the University of Arizona as part of a postdoc experience before accepting a position at a company called Syngenta in California. There, he was introduced to fungal genetics and genomics. 

With a yearning to come back home to the Pacific Northwest with his family, Baker decided to apply for a position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). 

Accomplishments at PNNL 

Since joining PNNL in 2003 as a senior research scientist, Baker has led and contributed to fungal genome projects ranging from single genomes, to resequencing of classical genetic mutant strains, to whole fungal genus sequencing efforts. 

In 2009 and 2010, he co-led the development and launch of the Fungal Genomics Program at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute with colleagues at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The program provides an immense resource in the mycological research community, generating genome sequences for hundreds of fungal species. He continues to serve the program through its fungal program user advisory committee. 

Baker holds an affiliate appointment with the DOE Joint BioEnergy Institute as a fungal biotechnology scientist. He is also a fellow with the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, where he formerly served on the board of directors—including as its president in 2016. 

Additionally, Baker serves as specialty chief editor for biotechnology in Frontiers in Fungal Biology, as associate editor for Current Research in Microbial Sciences, and on the editorial board for Industrial Biotechnology. He has published over 140 journal articles and book chapters. 

For more information about the AAAS Fellows program, visit aaas.org/fellows.