Rachel Elizabeth Baker

Rachel Elizabeth Baker is the John and Elizabeth Irving Family Assistant Professor of Climate & Health at Brown University, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology (School of Public Health) and the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Her research program investigates the complex links between climate change and human health, with a primary focus on infectious disease dynamics using advanced modeling techniques.

Dr. Baker's educational background includes:

• PhD in Climate and Energy (CPREE program, SPIA), Princeton University, 2018
• BA in Mathematics, University of Cambridge
• BA in Physics, University of Bristol

Her research interests center on understanding how climate variability and change impact the transmission of infectious diseases. She specializes in mechanistic disease modeling and statistical inference to study diseases such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), dengue, and visceral leishmaniasis. Her work spans diverse geographical contexts, from tropical Brazil to temperate Japan, and examines the effects of weather extremes, seasonal patterns, and long-term climate trends on disease outbreaks.

Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a consistent theme: the interplay between climate drivers and infectious disease dynamics. Dr. Baker has published on the impact of climate extremes on visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil, influenza in tropical settings, and dengue in Bangladesh. Additionally, she explores the secondary effects of climate change on workplace conditions and the interactions between non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Her modeling approaches are increasingly used to project future disease patterns and inform public health strategies.

Dr. Baker's work has been featured in top-tier journals including Science, PNAS, and Nature Communications, as well as major media outlets such as The New York Times and Scientific American. While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided materials, her research has garnered significant attention in both academic and public spheres.

At Brown University, Dr. Baker mentors undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those with strong quantitative skills. She encourages students interested in climate and health to join her research group, emphasizing the need for mathematical and coding expertise. Although specific grant details are not provided, her research is supported by her faculty position and collaborations within Brown's interdisciplinary institutes.

As a member of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Dr. Baker collaborates with a diverse team of climate scientists, ecologists, and public health experts. Her coauthor network reflects strong interdisciplinary connections across Brown University, facilitating research that bridges climate science and epidemiology.