Jacquie Baker

Dr. Jacquie Baker is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary, under the supervision of Dr. Satish Raj. Jacquie previously studied at Western University, completing her Master of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science (2013) and PhD, Clinical Neuroscience (2019).

Jacquie’s areas of interest fall within the broad spectrum of autonomic nervous system impairment. In particular, her research focuses on understanding hemodynamic instability (i.e., the inability to control heart rate and blood pressure) associated with autonomic dysfunction and exploring new therapies. Motivated by the need for effective interventions in this field, Jacquie embarked on a research career to address gaps in understanding autonomic dysfunction, its impact on cardiovascular health, and establishing new therapies.

When asked why she enjoys being a CHAT Member, Jacquie said, “Being a member of the CANet CHAT community has been an immensely rewarding experience for me. The community provides an exceptional environment for early career researchers and trainees, fostering a collaborative spirit that is conducive to both professional and personal growth. This network also facilitates knowledge exchange and creates a sense of belonging and encouragement. CANet creates a vibrant and dynamic community that enhances the overall learning experience. Joining CANet CHAT is not just an opportunity to engage in patient-oriented research but also to become part of a supportive community that values and nurtures trainee potential”.

In October 2023, Jacquie presented her research during the CANet CHAT Expert Knowledge Exchange poster competition in Montreal, titled “Carbon dioxide as a novel hemotherapy for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension”. Jacquie won 2 awards at the Poster Competition: Scientific Poster Award – First Place and Scientific Patient-Selected Poster Award – First Place!

October was even more exciting for Jacquie, as the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) announced her as the winner of the CCS-Pfizer ATTR-CM (Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy) Research Fellowship for her project Characterizing autonomic dysfunction in amyloidosis.

Outside the lab Jacquie enjoys staying active, being involved in many different sports, and spending time with her friends and family. She has played high-level competitive soccer for many years, and has won two national championships in women’s touch football. Beyond her achievements in competitive sports, Jacquie finds great joy in spending quality time with family and friends.