About
Kate Baker is a Research Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Biologist at Tulane University, affiliated with the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC). Her work focuses on optimizing behavioral management and welfare of nonhuman primates in laboratory settings. She holds a BA from Oberlin College in Biology and Classical Archaeology, and MA/PhD degrees in Biological Anthropology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Baker’s research emphasizes social housing dynamics, primate development, and the human-animal interface. Key areas include reducing aggression in social groupings, evaluating nursery practices, and studying long-term developmental effects of rearing environments. Collaborations with Tulane and other institutions address disease models and translational research.
Her publications span behavioral analyses, pharmacological interventions for pairing success, and methodological improvements in primate care. Recent contributions include studies on SIV infection impacts and Zika virus transmission in nonhuman primates.
Dr. Baker advises on ethical practices in primate research, emphasizing transparency in social housing reporting and refinements to laboratory enrichment programs. She has co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to national workshops on laboratory animal welfare standards.
