Joseph Baker ’82, Ph.D. ’86

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Having graduated summa cum laude from the College of Letters and Science with a double degree in economics and system science, Joseph Baker went on to earn his Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He combined superb academic achievement with the qualities of a top caliber researcher: originality, diligence, and responsibility. As a Rand Fellow, Vinnell Foundation Graduate Fellow and Departmental Scholar, he displayed the ability to apply intricate theorems to the solution of obscure problems and made many creative contributions, including co-authorship of published research. His work focuses on the use of computers and mathematical techniques to solve practical telecommunications problems.

As an undergraduate, Baker sought a way to have an immediate beneficial impact on people’s lives and became a volunteer for Amnesty International (A.I.), an organization dedicated to helping the victims of human rights abuse worldwide. He coordinated A.I. activities at UCLA, trained volunteers on a regional and national level and now serves as leader of the U.S. group for several African countries. He is also an advisor for the Office of International Students and Scholars. Baker has combined strong academic performance with productive research, while maintaining a significant and long-term commitment of service to others.