Nick Baker

Ph.D. Candidate (Department of Biochemistry)

BS (Michigan State University, 2020)

Nick graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s in biochemistry and minor in computational mathematics. He worked as an undergraduate researcher and then a lab technician in Dr. Brian Schutte’s lab, working on the affects of IRF6 on cleft lip and palate formation during development. Nick started his Ph.D by joining Dr. Kalsotra’s lab in 2020.

Current Research

Nick’s research interests are delving into the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration and the division of labor between hepatocytes’ proliferative and metabolic activities. Specifically, the role of alternative splicing and RNA processing during liver development and disease. Currently, Nick is working on the role of splicing on hepatocytes during liver regeneration and its role in expressing immature transcripts.

Outside the lab

Outside the lab you can find Nick enjoying a drink with his friends and lab mates. He enjoys the outdoors, baking, and bowling on weekends. Nick frequently reads comics and regularly attends comicon in Chicago.

Awards and Fellowships

  • Chemical Biology Interface (CBI) Program Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2020-2022
     

Publication

  • Bangru S., Chen J., Baker N., Das D., Chembazhi U.V., Derham J.M., Chorghade S., Arif W., Alencastro F., Duncan A.W., Carstens R.P., Kalsotra A. (2024). ESRP2-microRNA-122 axis directs the postnatal onset of liver polyploidization and maturation. bioRxiv [Preprint]:2024.07.06.602336 (in review and provisionally accepted at Genes and Development). doi: 10.1101/2024.07.06.602336