people

current lab members, and where our alumni have gone


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Principal Investigator

Steven F. Baker

Originally from Rochester, NY. Outside lab, Steve enjoys wrangling three dogs, a cat, and a son with his wife, along with cooking, running, music (RIP former cover band, Open Places), and exploring Chicago.

BS, SUNY Buffalo. PhD, University of Rochester (advisor: Luis Martínez-Sobrido). Postdoc at UW-Madison (advisor: Andy Mehle). Assistant Professor at Lovelace Biomed prior to moving to Loyola University Chicago in 2026.

Find him at @sfbkr on Bluesky.


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Rotating MS Student

Darren Warner

Just moved from Provo, UT - right next to BYU campus (but Go Utes!). Grew up on a horse farm breeding Arabian horses, so my days used to look like this: school > horse chores > gym > barista or video games. Big foodie and movie connoisseur.

BS at Utah Valley University doing autoimmune research at InnovaBio. Now an MS student in the MIIM program.


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Postdoc TBD

Recruiting a postdoc

In search of candidates with experience in and/or a desire to pursue virus-host interactions, post-translational modifications, and RNA splicing. Well qualified individuals will also demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication, lab and project management, and an ability to supervise and mentor trainees. Get in touch with Steve to chat more.


Alumni — the founding group at Lovelace Biomedical, 2021–2025

Jillian Merrifield — Undergraduate, 2024-25. UNM, Biology & Global/National Security Studies. Current: La Esperanza Preschool.
Mike Ohman — Postdoc, 2024-25. PhD, UW-Madison; PharmD, Drake University. Current: USDA (postdoc).
Etienne Martinez Gonzalez — Undergraduate, 2023-2025. UNM BA/MD program. Current: UNM (undergrad).
Himadri Nath — Postdoc, 2023-25. PhD, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Current: Texas Biomed (postdoc).
Michelle Fairow — Master’s, 2023. UNM, Cybersecurity and Business Analytics. Current: Supercomputing Challenge.
Brent Riley — Lab Technician, 2022-24. Current: Oregon Health & Science University (grad student).
Joshua Mann — Lab Technician, 2022-23. Current: Los Alamos Technical Associates.