Welcome Packet

Baker Welcome Packet 2025

Rooming Policies

Baker Rooming Policies (updated SP25).pdf

About Baker House

The famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto designed this beautiful dormitory building. He described the building design as a mix between a ski lodge and a ship. His creative design promotes communication and interaction among all residents on six floors by having open study areas and lounges, as well as a luminous dining hall overlooking the Charles River. What's more, because of the unique design of the building, many rooms have a unique view of the river.

The ingenious wave-shaped building maximizes the number of rooms with a sunny southern exposure, orienting them at oblique angles to soften noise from Memorial Drive. Hanging staircases serve as the vertical access, providing an increasingly dramatic view of MIT as one ascends, and the dining pavilion with its "moon garden lights" affords wonderful views of the Charles River. Internationally recognized as a masterpiece of modernism, Baker was renovated in 1999 for its fiftieth anniversary.

Interested in a tour? Reach out to bakertours@mit.edu

Heads of House

Introducing the Heads of House (HoH) for Baker House, Malvina Lampietti and Prof. John Fernandez ('85) and their children Lorenzo and Vita. John is a professor in Course 4 (Architecture) and former Director of ESI – the Environmental Solutions Initiative. Malvina is a principal of Lampietti Fernández Architects, which she co-founded with John in 1997. Malvina is an avid tennis player and John is a classical pianist. Our vizsla, Louie, loves to greet students. We look forward to meeting those of you who are new to Baker and sharing an excellent upcoming academic year!

Email Heads of House!

Area Director

Hi, I'm Rachael Beaumont, the Area Director to Baker House!

I was born and raised in Lawrence, KS where I got my undergraduate degree in Theater Education at the University of Kansas before moving to Lincoln, NE to get my Masters in Student Affairs!

I've spent some time in the Midwest working before coming to MIT where I'm excited to share in the experiences and the traditions with every student here!

I'm a regular at the gym so if you see me say hi! I love trying out new recipes, exploring the city, watching baking shows, and can never go wrong with a good board game!

I hope you'll swing by for a chat or a cup of coffee!

Email Area Director!

GRAs

A Graduate Resident Advisor (GRA) is a graduate student at MIT who lives in the undergraduate community and serves as mentor, advocate, and resource for the students.

Baker has 10 GRAs including a Leadership GRA who helps with the Baker Leaders program.

While the GRAs focus on their individual areas on floors, they are available to the whole community as a resource.

Meet our Baker GRAs!

Baker First West - Natalie

Hi! My name is Natalie Barnouw - I'm from Los Angeles, CA. I'm a current MEng student who majored in Computational Biology (6-7) with a minor in Neuroscience (9) during my undergrad here at MIT. Outside of the classroom, I'm on the women's soccer team. I love crocheting, rock climbing, baking, hiking, weightlifting, and playing card games with my friends!

Baker First West - Jenny and Judah

Hi! I’m Jenny, and I am a PhD student in the Economics department, interested in topics of labor, public, and behavioral economics.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, went to college in Chicago, and worked in San Francisco for several years before coming to MIT for grad school!

I love hot chocolate, being outdoors, walking and biking around Cambridge, playing competitive ultimate frisbee, and trying new arts and crafts.

And I’m Judah! I am a software engineer for a start up in the Bay area meaning I work remotely full time!

I grew up in New York City before going to school in Chicago where I met Jenny.

I enjoy biking around the city of Cambridge, finding new spots in the city where I can work, trying out new recipes and playing ultimate frisbee!

Why Baker First West is the best: One WEST is obviously the BEST because we have that first-year excited energy, enthusiasm, and passion!

Baker Second West - Felipe

Hi! I’m a PhD student in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy.

I grew up in Argentina and earned my B.A. in Philosophy from Princeton University.

Before starting my PhD, I worked at the Princeton University Investment Company for two years.

In my free time, I enjoy running, especially with the Boston Hares!

Baker First and Second East - Anique

Hi! I’m Anique, an NSF-GRF PhD candidate in Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

In the Tsai Lab, I study clinical and molecular effects of oscillations on Parkinson’s disease. Before MIT, I worked at the NIH on neural virology and sleep pharmacology.

Growing up on St. Kitts, I treasured our pet birds, dogs, cats, and monkey.

I also love music, weightlifting, yoga, and costume design -so if a creative study break sounds fun, let’s make something together!

I’m honored to be part of a team that values your authenticity and supports your thriving.

Why Baker First/Second East: We host great study breaks, listen with care, and are glad you’re here.

Baker Third West - Haley

Hi! I am a PhD candidate in Course 2 (MechE) and my research is in medical device development for low-resource settings.

I am from Titusville, FL and completed my undergrad in Course 20 (BE) at MIT where I was also on the rowing team - Let's Go Tech!

When not in lab, or running along the Charles, I enjoy rock climbing, reading, playing guitar, making things, and going on adventures!

Baker Fourth West - Madelyn

Hi! I’m a PhD Candidate in the MIT-Harvard Medical School HST program studying bioastronautics.

I grew up in Michigan and did my undergraduate degrees in physics and biomedical engineering at Duquesne University, where I competed for four years as a swimmer in the A10 Conference.

I like to hike, fly planes, scuba dive, and compete on MIT’s club gymnastics team in my spare time.

Why Baker Fourth West is the best: Floor 4 is out of this world, because we all bring our experiences and expertise to learn together and make a unique living environment.

Baker Third and Fourth East - Elijah

Hi! I'm Elijah, and I'm a PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, studying

methane emission mitigation for climate change.

I grew up in Connecticut, studied chemical engineering at Tufts, and worked at Beyond Meat in LA for a while before coming to MIT.

I love reading, hiking, surfing, playing soccer, and making things!

Why Baker Third/Fourth East is the best: Because we are committed to building a vibrant, welcoming community, and as a past GRA once said, "We have all of the views of the 6th floor without any of the altitude sickness!"

Baker Fifth West - Juan

Hello! I’m Juan. I am currently pursuing an MEng in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

As a member of the Aerospace Controls Laboratory, I study path planning and perception for autonomous vehicles.

I grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, but moved to Miami, FL, during my first year of high school. I lived there until I started my undergrad at MIT.

During my free time, I enjoy working out, going to the beach, reading, and watching baseball.

I look forward to meeting you all!

Baker Sixth West - Nancy

Hi! I’m a PhD student in Economics, and I do work in labor, political, and behavioral economics (come talk to me about all things econ!).

I grew up in Hershey, PA and did my undergrad at MIT (2019, 10B and 14-2), where I lived in French House.

Before returning to MIT for grad school, I spent two years working.

In my free time, I enjoy biking at a leisurely pace, trying hot sauces, cooking, playing violin, and listening to pop trash.

I can’t wait to meet you! ^.^

Why Baker Sixth West is the best: 6 West is the best because we make it a warm and welcoming home for everyone.

Baker Fifth and Sixth East - Cat & Nick

Hi, we're Cat and Nick!

We are both from New Jersey and earned our Mechanical and Chemical engineering degrees respectively at Rutgers University.

I, Cat, am a PhD student in the AeroAstro department where I research electrospray thruster systems. Outside of the lab, I love hiking, weightlifting, baking, and crocheting.

And I, Nick, am an aCTivate associate at Bristol Meyers Squibb where I work on manufacturing cell therapy treatments. In my free time, I love climbing, hiking, and learning about history.

We're so excited to meet you all!

Why Baker Fifth/Sixth East is the best: Because all good things come in pairs!

Meet Our Exec!

Baker Exec Poster SP25.pptx

RPMs

The function of the Residential Peer Mentor (RPM) is to strengthen the support network for first-year students within Baker House.

Peer Mentors are community-builders and serve as support for first-year students, helping answer questions, connect them to resources, and introduce them to the unique aspects of both Baker House and MIT.

Baker House RPMs collaborate on programs focused on health and wellness, academic success, and the transition to MIT and learning about the campus, its resources, and the opportunities around Cambridge and Boston to make sure that the first-year experience is smooth, seamless, and full of opportunities to learn.

Meet Our RPMs!

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