Gretchen H. Baker, PhD, is a Research Scientist at The Ohio State University’s Injury Biomechanics Research Center (IBRC). Dr. Baker joined the IBRC in 2017 to complete her graduate studies which focused on child posture and belt fit in belt-positioning booster seats and were supported through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Dr. Baker has also contributed to many projects in the IBRC, including volunteer studies with children and adults, sled and laboratory testing with anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) and post mortem human subjects (PMHS), and various motion capture methods and analyses.

Her research primarily focuses on pediatric biomechanics, child restraint systems, and quantification of vehicle occupant posture and kinematics. Specifically, she is interested in understanding child occupant posture and seat belt fit and how these vary with booster seat and vehicle seat design parameters in addition to relating to optimal protection during dynamic vehicle maneuvers and crashes. Dr. Baker also has experience working with international partners through her Whitaker International Fellowship and collaborations with the SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Center in Gothenburg, Sweden. Dr. Baker is also a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician through Safe Kids Worldwide and regularly contributes to local community education and child safety seat checks.