Sheila Baker earned her B.S. degree in chemistry from Georgia Southern University and her Ph.D. from The State University of New York at Buffalo. She has over 20 years of experience in scientific research at various settings including National Laboratories, the University of Missouri (MU), and a life sciences start-up company. She worked as an assistant professor at MU pursuing environmental research and teaching including a course on Patent Fundamentals for Scientists. She earned her Online Teaching Certification from MU and her Incubator Management Certificate from the International Business Innovation Association. in 2023, she joined the Missouri Innovation Center as the VP & COO.