Zachary Baker

Class of 2021-2022

Arizona State University, 2019
Biochemistry

Why I chose ESTEEM ?

I first heard about ESTEEM right out of undergrad. At the time, it didn't click with me, but the promise of being around like minded individuals, people who want to make something real, stayed in the back of my mind. Two years later, after some collective formative experiences, I decided to take the plunge. What a great call that was.

My capstone project and why I'm excited about it ?

I'm currently working with Million Marker, a biotech startup in the Bay Area. Awesome tech, awesome mission, awesome people. I'm thrilled to be able to work with such a great team. I'm occupied with product optimization, spending my days working through qualitative data. That sounds complicated, but really I just talk to people: I want to know what they think about the product, what they like, and what they think we could do better. That aspect of person-to-person communication really excites me. Not a lot of hardcore STEM dudes get to do what I am doing, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity.

What I hope to do after ESTEEM ?

At some point I will start my own thing. It might be now, it might be right after ESTEEM, or it might be a decade. Whatever I do, it will feel right. Good ideas are cool, but good plans are what really excite me.

What I like to do when I'm not working ?

I am always playing music, sports, games, talking to friends, family or my three dogs, or reading a book.

Add me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-j-baker/ . Always happy to talk to prospective students, or people with really good ideas.