Lauren L. Baker, PhD, is an Instructor of Medicine in the Bioethics Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Baker received her PhD with distinction in Health Care Ethics from Saint Louis University. She is currently a scholar in the Mentored Training Program in Clinical Investigation (MTPCI) at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Baker applies social science methods to explore complex ethical and social issues in medicine and public health. Currently, she is Principal Investigator on a study examining child welfare policy and practice related to informed consent, assent, and treatment refusal in psychotropic medication decisions for youth in foster care (PDS Research). Dr. Baker also collaborates on NIH and foundation funded research exploring the impact of religion on community attitudes towards prenatal genetic testing, mental health treatment, and mRNA vaccines. Her work has appeared in publications such as The American Journal of Bioethics, Theoretical Medicine & Bioethics, and the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research. Prior to joining Washington University, Dr. Baker worked in refugee administration and in the anti-trafficking in persons field. She additionally taught health care ethics and public health ethics at Saint Louis University.

Research Interests: Public health ethics; social determinants of health; health policy

The Greenwall Foundation- Baker (PI)         01/01/2025-12/31/2026
Psychotropic Medication Decision Making for Youth in Foster Care: Challenges, Barriers, and Facilitators to Informed Consent, Assent, and Refusal
This project aims to examine the challenges, barriers, and facilitators to informed consent, assent, and refusal in treatment decisions regarding psychotropic medications for youth in foster care. Through analysis of state child welfare policies, foster care bills of rights, and qualitative interviews with foster care alumni, case workers, and clinicians, the team will develop a set of best practice and policy recommendations to foster ethical decision-making related to psychotropic medication for foster care youth.
Role: Principal Investigator

NHGRI R01HG012830 DuBois (PI)         09/22/2022-06/30/2026 
Religion and support for genomic healthcare: An exploratory study of the US public and faith leaders
This project seeks to better understand why higher levels of religious practice are related to greater concerns with genetic medicine, including prenatal genetic testing and mRNA vaccines.
Role: Co-Investigator