Queen's researcher Rachel Baker is working to transform how we produce crucial chemicals by developing manufacturing methods that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Her work combines renewable biomass from plants and trees with electrochemical reactions to create sustainable, carbon-neutral chemical alternatives for industries like pharmaceutical, agriculture, and manufacturing.
This innovative approach has earned her a place on Forbes 30 Under 30 North America in the Science category. The annual list highlights young researchers and innovators tackling global challenges in fields like medicine, energy, and sustainability.
Photo: Rachel Baker, Robins Family Professor of Engineering Chemistry, Smith Engineering at Queen's University.
"Being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 is an incredible honour," says Dr. Baker, an assistant professor with Smith Engineering at Queen's University, cross-appointed to the Department of Chemistry. "This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of my team, and I'm eager to build on our work in advancing more sustainable chemical processes to address pressing environmental challenges."
Advancing sustainable chemical production
The chemical industry contributes significantly to climate change, largely due to its reliance on fossil fuels for raw materials and the energy used in chemical production. Dr. Baker and her team are addressing this by experimenting with "paired electrolysis reactions" of renewable building blocks.
One of these methods converts biomass into useful chemicals like hydrocarbons, alcohols, and aldehydes, commonly used in manufacturing bulk products and fine chemicals. They do so by pairing reduction and oxidation reactions which involve adding or removing electrons from the atoms involved to efficiently extract valuable chemicals from organic matter.
Another method takes the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) and turns it into useful chemicals. This is done by using electricity to break down CO2 into smaller molecules or by combining it with other substances to make things like carboxylic acids, carbonates, and isocyanates, which are important raw materials for various products.
Ultimately, Dr. Baker hopes to create sustainable, carbon-neutral and even carbon-negative chemical processes that minimize environmental impacts, while ensuring continued production of vital chemicals used in everyday products.
Journey to green innovation
Originally from Kingston, Dr. Baker earned her undergraduate degree in engineering chemistry from Queen's in 2017. She went on to complete a PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Toronto, where she focused on developing new chemical reactions with applications for medicine and agriculture, including crop treatments against parasites. She later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Caltech, where she worked on organic electrochemical systems.
She joined the Smith Engineering in 2023 as the inaugural Robins Family Professor of Engineering Chemistry. Dr. Baker was among several young professionals recognized by Forbes this year, selected from over 20,000 nominations by an expert panel of judges who evaluated candidates based on social impact, innovation, and future potential.
Learn more about Forbes' 30 Under 30.
